One of the major principles under which we operate at the ABFM is our effort to continuously improve what we do. To do so we require data, a research team to analyze it, and the courage to change when evidence supports doing so. In the last issue of the Phoenix, we shared with you how your evaluation of our Self-Assessment and Lifelong Learning activities provided the evidence that we needed to support unlinking the clinical simulation from the knowledge assessment in our old Self-Assessment Modules as well as no longer making it a mandatory component of Family Medicine Certification.


The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has selected Sean Lucan, MD, MPH, MS as the 2016 James C. Puffer, MD/American Board of Family Medicine Fellow. Dr. Lucan is a practicing family physician in Bronx, New York, treating children and adults. He is also an award-winning National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded investigator who has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and thought pieces on food-related issues. Dr. Lucan has co-authored one textbook on nutrition and another on biostatistics, epidemiology, preventive medicine, and public health.


The National Quality Forum (NQF) today named Robert Phillips, MD, MSPH, Vice President of Research and Policy, American Board of Family Medicine, as one of five 2016 Innovation Challenge winners for his concept paper, Use of registry data to identify and develop Clinical Practice Improvement Activities (CPIA) and quality measures. The contest, launched on September 18, challenged NQF members and others in the measure development community to submit their ideas to improve quality measurement, and compete to be one of five selected winners to receive a cash prize and present their pr


Are you an eligible professional (EP) who needs to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) for 2016? The ABFM is once again an approved qualified registry for 2016. Eligible Professionals satisfactorily report data to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on quality measures for covered Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) services furnished to Medicare Part B Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries through PQRS.


This summer’s edition goes over the many improvements and simplifications being made to the Family Medicine Certification process. These changes will go live on July 22, and Diplomates are encouraged to review the relevant articles within to familiarize themselves with the process and terminology changes.

 


The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce the election of four new officers and four new board members.  The new officers elected at the ABFM’s spring board meeting in April are:  Carlos Roberto Jaén, MD of San Antonio, TX elected as Chair; James Kennedy, MD of Winter Park, Colorado as Chair Elect; Alan K. David, MD of Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Treasurer; and Jimmy H. Hara, MD of Los Angeles, California as Member-at-Large, Executive Committee.  In addition, the ABFM welcomes this year’s new members to the Board of Directors: Joseph W.


The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce the election of four new officers and three new board members. The new officers elected at the ABFM's spring board meeting in April are: Keith L. Stelter, MD of Mankato, Minnesota elected as Chair; Elizabeth G. Baxley, MD of Greenville, North Carolina as Chair-Elect; Christine C. Matson, MD of Norfolk, Virginia as Treasurer; and Montgomery Douglas, MD of Farmington, Connecticut as Member-at-Large, Executive Committee.


A Message from the President

In preparing my message for this newsletter, I looked back over the first several issues that we published after our decision to resurrect this form of communication in 2005 to keep you updated on Maintenance of Certification for Family Physicians (MC-FP). As we transitioned together into MC-FP from our old recertification paradigm, I made several promises to you in each of those issues.