Volunteer Spotlight – RO: Ensuring Fairness Is Her Goal as a Volunteer
By ABR Associate Director of Communications Rodney Campbell
June 2026;19(3):10
Some ABR Trustees and Governors come back to serve their medical specialty board even after their terms end.
A good example is Beth Erickson, MD, a member of the Radiation Oncology Continuing Certification Advisory Committee. Dr. Erickson, who rotated off the Board of Trustees in 2012, said she finds purpose in contributing to the Initial and Continuing Certification processes.
“I want board certification to be viewed as an important thing and a fair process,” she said. “I’m passionate about things being fair.”
Dr. Erickson has been part of the advisory committee since 2021, a year after Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) was rolled out for radiation oncology diplomates. She was a Trustee when Maintenance of Certification (MOC) was introduced and believes that having OLA as a way of satisfying Part 3 has been a welcome addition.
“(MOC) was a big part of what we focused on,” she said. “There was a lot of tension between the ABR and its diplomates. I think that situation has been remedied with the introduction of OLA.”
OLA isn’t meant to be burdensome for participants. Questions reflect “walking-around knowledge,” information diplomates should know without having to study. Most diplomates opt to participate in OLA over taking a high-stakes, point-in-time exam.
“OLA does a good job,” Dr. Erickson said. “It samples information from all the disease sites in a very reasonable way. I think most of us were relieved to have the exam replaced by those questions each year. It’s very easy to keep up.”
Like her volunteer colleagues, she’s also a CC participant who occasionally misses an OLA question. Even that proves to be a learning opportunity.
“If I get a question wrong, I’m happy to read the key that explains the right answer,” Dr. Erickson said. “I think it’s a real service to those of us who want to maintain our certification and stay current without undue burden. The ABR hit a home run with OLA.”
A former exam question writer and oral examiner, she recently was also able to relive some of her old duties. To prepare to be an examiner for the Radiation Oncology Certifying Exam in April, Dr. Erickson went over ABR-provided oral examiner materials, including videos and guides that detail the process and expectations.
It didn’t take long for her to feel comfortable in the virtual setup.
“I wanted to be well prepared,” she said. “After the first exam, I felt much better because it was quite simple and I didn’t make (a candidate’s) experience more difficult. I was relieved and it became more enjoyable.”
Fellow radiation oncologist and former ABR president Bruce Haffty, MD, served as an ABR volunteer with Dr. Erickson. He said his colleague is the consummate professional and a good friend.
“She is collaborative, trustworthy, and always eager to contribute in any way she can,” he said. “She is thoughtful, considerate, and genuinely interested in how you are doing personally and professionally and how your family is doing. She is one of the most personable, delightful, and considerate individuals I know.”
Dr. Erickson and her husband, Thomas Wittmann, MD, who’s in family medicine, have two children at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where Dr. Erickson holds the J. Frank and Vera B. Wilson Professorship in Radiation Oncology. It’s also where she earned her medical degree and completed her residency. She added a brachytherapy fellowship at Centre Anti-cancer Francias.
Their son is a third-year radiation oncology resident, and their daughter is in her second year of medical school.
“It’s great knowing that they’re going to help people for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Having her children nearby is a bonus. Dr. Erickson already feels valued and appreciated at her workplace.
“My radiation oncology faculty colleagues are my family away from home,” she said. “The other specialists are multidisciplinary and very respectful of radiation oncology. There’s a very good feeling among colleagues here. Going to work is a plus. You’re not fighting battles all day to take care of your patients.”
She also has a home at the ABR. Coming back to volunteer was an easy decision.
“I’m very grateful for my connections and collaborations with the ABR,” Dr. Erickson said. “I’ve had tremendous friendships with staff, examiners, and Trustees. It’s really enriched my life.”
