#professionalism

Jul 9, 2017
1 min

ABO Director Jane Bailey Addresses Unconscious Bias in JAMA Blog

How can well-meaning physicians minimize unconscious bias, asks American Board of Ophthalmology Director Jane Bailey, M.D., in a blog post for JAMA’s Topics in Ophthalmology: More than one-fourth of practicing US physicians are foreign born. Many others are offspring of immigrants. Many of these individuals had training overseas before entering a US program. Because of visa requirements, IMGs often work in rural areas or underserved communities. By 2025, we will be facing a s

Jul 6, 2017
1 min

American Board of Ophthalmology to Issue 30,000th Certificate

Official results from the June 2017 Oral Examination will be released to candidates within the next several days. The numbers indicate that the American Board of Ophthalmology, the nation's first medical specialty certification board, will certify its 30,000th diplomate this month. In celebration of reaching this significant milestone, we've created the following infographic about the role of board certification in ophthalmology, professionalism, and patient care: #americanbo

Jul 6, 2017
1 min

What Do You Love About Ophthalmology?

It’s July—which means it’s time to welcome the newest group of medical school graduates as they begin their ophthalmic training at programs across the country. To our newest trainees: what attracted you to the specialty ophthalmology? And for those already in practice, what do you love most about the profession? For American Board of Ophthalmology Diplomate Charles C. Wykoff, M.D., Ph.D., it’s the possibility of restoring sight. In a recent piece for Medscape, he explains: Fo

Jul 1, 2017
3 min

High or Low: Where Should We Set the Bar?

Last month, we began an examination of the seven principles that support the ABO’s mission: “To serve the public by certifying ophthalmologists through the verification of competencies.” The initial post fleshed out our commitment to our diplomates and to the public that “The ABO stewards its finances with integrity and transparency.” In this column I wish to comment on the principle that “Certification should promote and recognize aspirational goals, not minimum standards.”

Jun 9, 2017
2 min

Thank You, Chicago Examiners

The Board thanks the following diplomates for volunteering their time and talents to the administration of the June 9-11 Oral Examination in Chicago. Chrisfouad R. Alabiad, M.D. J. Brent Bond, M.D. Steven M. Couch, M.D. Robert I. Fish, M.D. Christopher T. Hood, M.D. Irene C. Kuo, M.D. Peter A. Quiros, M.D. Rithwick Rajagopal, M.D. Christen K. Richard, M.D. Steven I. Rosenfeld, M.D. Sarwat Salim, M.D. Lisa S. Thompson, M.D. James C. Tsai, M.D. John E. Bishop, M.D. Christophe

Mar 30, 2017
1 min

Thank you, American Board of Ophthalmology Certified Doctors

In observance of Doctors Day on March 30th, the American Board of Ophthalmology created this video to celebrate the passion, pride, and professionalism of its diplomate community. While much has changed over the course of the Board’s 101-year history, what hasn’t changed is the commitment board certified ophthalmologists make to provide the best possible care for their patients. By the way, has your diplomate pride pin arrived? Coming to diplomate mailboxes this week, our pri

Jan 25, 2017
1 min

My Decision to Voluntarily Recertify

Having been originally certified in 1984, I had long enjoyed lifetime certification and had no plans to ever recertify. In 2014, I changed my mind. My younger colleagues were all required to recertify — I felt it was my ethical duty to do so as well. Although I am a pediatric ophthalmologist, I decided to use the three-year re-certification period as an opportunity to learn completely new material. Thus, I intended at the outset to take the DOCK examination in Neuro-Ophthalmo

Jan 2, 2017
1 min

What Are Your Professional Goals for 2017?

Happy New Year to the diplomate community of the American Board of Ophthalmology. We wish you another successful year of advancing excellence in eye care. Did you make any resolutions today? According to researchers, just 8% of individuals who make New Year's Resolutions go on to achieve them. So what are 92% of us forgetting? To find out, Forbes interviewed psychologist Paul Marciano, PhD, author of Carrots and Sticks Don't Work, who offered seven tips for creating successfu

Dec 22, 2016
22 min

Congratulations, New and Newly Recertified Diplomates!

The American Board of Ophthalmology welcomed the following new diplomates in 2016: Aaker, Grant - Olympia, WA Abdul Aziz, Hassan - Vancouver, BC Adam, Lindsay - Wilmington, NC Addis, Victoria - Philadelphia, PA Aggarwal, Divya - Elk Grove, CA Agrawal, Megha - Plano, TX Agrawal, Shivi - Scottsdale, AZ Ahmad, Habeeb - Westbury, NY Akduman, Levent - St. Louis, MO Akhtar, Jihan - Chicago, IL Alberelli, Tonya - San Mateo, CA Alegret, Armando - Miami, FL Alexander, Jamie - Dallas,

Dec 15, 2016
1 min

What Professional Achievement Means to Me

I had never given much thought on what it means to be a Diplomate until I read the question here. It did bring memories of long hard working call nights, the satisfaction of a job well done, and faces and places, among other things. Old comrades in arms and new partners, new patient faces filled with anxiety as you do your best to soothe their pain and bring hope. Being part of a Fellowship that bonds us in knowledge and service... Yes, I truly believe that it is an Honor and

Dec 13, 2016
3 min

100 Years of Questions: A Message from CEO-Elect George B. Bartley, M.D.

Today marks the centennial of the first American Board of Ophthalmology examination. A century on, does board certification matter? The intent of certification, simply put, is to serve the public by certifying physicians by verifying competency. Such a mission -- to improve the common weal -- seems appropriate and, some might argue, even admirable. But can’t participation in continuing medical education (CME) courses, along with maintenance of an unrestricted license to pract

Dec 13, 2016
1 min

100 Years Ago Today: Recognizing America's First Board Certified Doctors

Over two cold December days in Memphis, Tennessee, 10 pioneering physicians assembled at the University of Tennessee Medical School to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and experience in ophthalmology—and set the precedent for excellence in American medicine. The written examination, held on December 13, required candidates to answer a series of questions in embryology, anatomy, pathology, and diseases of the eye. On the second day, candidates participated in an oral clini

Dec 9, 2016
1 min

Celebrating a Century of Public Service

One hundred years and 30,000 certificates later, the ABO continues to issue the public’s most trusted credential for specialty knowledge, skills, and experience in ophthalmology. Board certification has left a lasting impact on the quality and standards for training in ophthalmology and in the 23 other medical specialties who have since followed ophthalmology’s lead. The ABO celebrates all doctors who choose higher standards through board certification and looks forward to cr

Dec 8, 2016
2 min

5 Reasons Your Board Certification is Still a Big Deal

1. Your certificate is still the only recognized credential for expertise in ophthalmology. For patients, there has never been more information--nor confusion--involved in choosing a physician. Web searches turn up thousands of results. Patient ratings are often unverified. Medical licensure stops short of confirming specialty focus. So where can patients turn for reliable information? In large numbers, they come to the Board website or call the Board Office to research the

Dec 7, 2016
8 min

Thank You, 2016 Volunteers

The commitment and dedication of nearly 600 Examiners and Exam Development volunteers make it possible for the Board to administer comprehensive, peer-developed assessments and professional development activities. Examiners for the American Board of Ophthalmology are diplomates selected by the ABO to examine at the oral examination, item writers for both the written and oral examinations and as special committee members in the development of examination materials. Examiners a