One of the effects of the pandemic for ABR candidates was the temporary limbo they faced in pursuing board certification. There were several months when exam centers were closed for in-person gatherings or greatly restricted because of COVID’s rapid and deadly spread. 

Kristen McConnell, PhD, was one of those candidates. On track to earn her medical physics (MP) certification during the pandemic, she was concerned about timing. Fortunately, she had an insight and voice as a member of the ABR’s MP Initial Certification Advisory Committee. Her group, along with similar committees that included representatives from diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology, served as conduits between the ABR and candidates and saw how the organization was tackling the challenge.

“We had a meeting with the (MP) Trustees where we put all the medical physics students’ concerns together,” she said. “It was very collaborative. The committee could see how much value there was because we had a direct line to the ABR.”

She and her colleagues had front-row seats during the ABR’s development of a remote exam platform that rolled out as a pilot in January 2021. The setup enabled hundreds of candidates to get certified that year, including Dr. McConnell.

“That was a huge undertaking,” said Dr. McConnell, who passed her MP Part 1 and 2 exams in late 2020 and Part 3 in August 2021. “It was done quickly. The committee was offering its thoughts and I liked that (the ABR was) able to implement remote testing.” 

One of the committee’s highlights was a visit to the ABR headquarters in 2023. The members came to Tucson for two days of meetings that included a building tour, presentations from department heads, and chances to ask questions. 

“It was a good chance to not be distracted and just see what was going on,” she said. “We were able to get in and out on these topics and understand all the things that were happening at the ABR, which was a lot.” 

Excited about her committee work, Dr. McConnell jumped at the opportunity to stay involved with the ABR when her term ran out and she was asked to serve on the organization’s MP Continuing Certification Advisory Committee. 

“I really like these committees and I like working with the ABR,” she said. 

Her group looks at all elements of Continuing Certification, including Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA). The platform started in 2019 as a replacement for the point-in-time Maintenance of Certification Exam given every 10 years. MP diplomates started participating in 2020. 

Dr. McConnell said she enjoys getting OLA questions every week and finds them relevant to her work. 

“It fits the profile of everything that we learned for the PhD qualifying exam, the ABR Part 1 Exam, and our residency,” she said. “The questions are little tidbits that are walking-around knowledge.” 

ABR Trustee Kalpana Kanal, PhD, is chair of the Continuing Certification Advisory Committee and the person who approached Dr. McConnell about joining. She has been impressed by what she’s seen from her colleague, who is a senior proton physicist at Baptist Health South Florida with a background in mechanical and nuclear engineering.

“Over the years, she has been a valued member of not just one, but two committees, consistently bringing energy and insight to the discussions,” Dr. Kanal said. “Her willingness to contribute her time and talent, even amidst the demands of residency and now a full-time career, speaks volumes about her character and passion for giving back. We’re incredibly fortunate to have had her as a volunteer of the ABR, and we are grateful for everything she’s done.” 

Dr. McConell has ABR plans that go beyond her current duties. 

“I want to make it to the point where I can be an oral examiner,” she said. “Being on the other end of the exam was one of the most memorable parts of my career. I would like to be able to examine and get good at it because it is a skill.” 

A proud ABR diplomate, she appreciates seeing the organization from a closer perspective. Serving on two committees has given her a better appreciation of the ABR’s mission. 

“I like being part of something that sets the standard,” Dr. McConnell said. “There are like-minded people volunteering and we make good connections. We also get an understanding of the other fields … radiation oncologists and diagnostic and interventional radiologists. There’s a wider scope that you have to think about and how they’re all interrelated. I enjoy being part of the organization.”