Outgoing Board Members Contributed to ABR Process Improvements
By Desiree E. Morgan, MD, ABR Governor
2025;18(5):1
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
— President John F. Kennedy
Every October when the volunteer cycle for Trustees and Governors at the ABR refreshes, I find myself reflecting with gratitude on the legacies of some of our longest serving volunteers. This edition of The Beam shares their contributions and personal reflections with you. All ABR volunteers, but especially these stellar individuals, give generously of their time and subject matter expertise to move forward the activities of the ABR as it strives to meet the goals set forth by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), of which we are a Member Board. Also pointed out in this edition, the ABR actively considers improvements to its certification programs to be not only consistent with the ABMS standards but also supportive of enhanced value for diplomates and the public. Together with the incredible ABR staff, these dedicated volunteer leaders are critical to enabling necessary improvements to our processes. I hope you’ll join me in thanking them as we welcome new Trustees into their roles.
In this issue …
ABR President Cheri Canon, MD; ABR Board of Trustees Chair Matthew Podgorsak, PhD; and Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, discuss the role of volunteer subject matter experts who define the knowledge domain, create and optimize content, and set the passing standard for the ABR’s qualifying and certifying exams.
ABR Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, and ABR Associate Executive Director for Diagnostic Radiology Mary Newell, MD, explain how the ABR’s Continuing Certification program lines up with standards set in January 2024 by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
ABR Governor Toby Gordon, ScD, looks back on her six years as the first public member of the Board of Governors.
ABR Board of Trustees Chair Matthew Podgorsak, PhD, introduces and welcomes six new members to the Board of Trustees.
ABR Trustee Anne Covey, MD, reflects on her eight years as a member of the Board of Trustees and the major events that occurred during that time, such as converting to remote exams during COVID.
ABR Associate Executive Director for Medical Physics Geoffrey Ibbott, PhD, and the MP Trustees explain the pathways available for medical physicists who wish to be certified in more than one specialty.
ABR Communications Manager Rodney Campbell speaks to this year’s ABR-sponsored American Board of Medical Specialties Scholars about their aspirations for the program.
As an assistant residency program director for interventional radiology at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Jeffry Cruz, MD, developed skills in question writing that he puts to good use as an ABR volunteer.
Dan Krauss, MD, an associate professor and section head of brachytherapy at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and a 13-year ABR volunteer, explains how Initial Certification exams are designed to measure candidates’ knowledge, not foil them with trick questions.
ABR President Cheri Canon, MD, was recently honored with the 2025 Lawrence R. Muroff Luminary Award from the Radiology Leadership Institute.
