Changes We Can Embrace
By Desiree E. Morgan, MD, ABR Governor
2025;18(2):1
Early spring is my favorite season. In my part of the world, daffodils, hyacinths, and now irises are blooming, the redbuds are finishing their showy fuchsia, dogwoods are opening, and from elms to oaks, the big trees are in bud. Spring signals a change that we can count on, one that we welcome (allergies aside!). Not all change is as embraceable, but when it is carefully explained, the prickly feeling we tend to get when we are told “change is coming” is easier to process. This edition of The Beam explains changes coming to the IR/DR certifying exam process, a new pathway toward pediatric radiology certification, and refinement of the ABR’s strategic priorities, in addition to introducing you to volunteers, new perspectives, and more of our processes, as we typically do. I hope you enjoy learning more, and I wish you abundant beauty this spring!
In this issue …
ABR President Cheri L. Canon, MD, and ABR Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, describe two new strategic priorities: proactively collaborating with professional organizations and creating a culture of improvement and innovation.
The ABR Board of Trustees will be adding seven members this year: three in diagnostic radiology (pediatric radiology, cardiothoracic imaging, and neuroradiology), two in interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, one in radiation oncology, and one in diagnostic medical physics.
ABR Governor Stephen F. Simoneaux, MD, and ABR Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, announce a 15-month pathway to pediatric subspecialty certification.
ABR President Cheri L. Canon, MD, and ABR President-elect John A. Kaufman, MD, MS, discuss how stakeholder input informed the decision to change the Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology Certifying Exam process.
ABR Associate Executive Director for Medical Physics Geoffrey S. Ibbott, PhD, describes the application process for becoming a medical physics volunteer and the important work volunteers do to prepare, evaluate, and administer ABR exams.
ABR Associate Executive Director for Radiation Oncology Michael Yunes, MD, announces that future ABR Radiation Oncology Qualifying and Certifying exams will contain more content on unsealed sources.
Third-year medical students Zach Cherian and Adam El Hendy Gunnarsson discuss how they gained valuable experience by participating on a radiology panel at the Rosalind Franklin University Interprofessional Community Clinic.
ABR Communications Manager Rodney Campbell talks with ABR volunteer Adina Alazraki, MD, about her career switch from urgent care pediatrician to diagnostic radiologist.
After overcoming roadblocks in her educational journey, Alisa Walz-Flannigan, PhD, an ABR medical physics oral examiner, now creates opportunities for other women to thrive in a male-dominated field.
Continuing Certification Update
ABR Associate Director of Assessment Research and Strategy Brooke Houck, PhD, explains the scoring formula for evaluating a diplomate’s performance on Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA).
The application period for the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Visiting Scholar program is open through June 26.
As a fellow and past president of the Society of Abdominal Imaging (SAR), I was honored to be one of three recipients of the SAR Gold Medal this year.
