News
Discover inspiring stories from our volunteers, candidates, and community, and stay up to date with important news and announcements on exams, policies, and more.
Advisory Committee Member Was Born to Become a Physician
One ABR volunteer’s path to medicine started before he was born. As a child, Dru Curtis, MD, noticed a scar on his father’s abdomen and wondered what caused it. Before he understood the seriousness of the incident, he knew there was a medical connection. “Growing up, I heard stories about how my father was saved by a surgeon,” he said. His father was shot during a robbery…
Blogs | Diagnostic Radiology | Initial Certification | Interventional Radiology | Medical Physics | News | Radiation Oncology | Volunteer – Diagnostic Radiology
Elements of a Valid ABR Computer-based Exam Question
What goes into creating an appropriate question for an ABR computer-based exam? More than you might think. In this video, current and former volunteers who have worked on content explain the exacting process that ensures rigor and fairness on Initial Certification exams.
He Finds Medical Physics to Be a Sound Career
After the Titanic sank in 1912, it took 73 years for the wreckage to be found. What was considered cutting-edge sonar technology in 1985 was key to finding the ship at the bottom of the vast Atlantic Ocean. That search and the methods used inspired ABR volunteer Jaydev Dave, PhD, to pursue a career in medical physics (MP). The science of sound was music…
Like Her Fellow Volunteers, She Makes Time to Give Back
Rachel Jimenez, MD, has spent much of the past decade serving the radiation oncology field by working as an ABR volunteer. Her colleagues are happy that she finds the time despite a busy professional schedule. “She has great insight into the academic process and has brought this knowledge to the ABR as she advocates for residents and early career physicians,” said Michael…
His ABR Work Is All About Helping Trainees
Brian Covello, MD, has been a member of the ABR’s Interventional Radiology Initial Certification Advisory Committee since early in his residency. His committee experience over the past several years has given him insight into how the organization plans exams and sets certification goals. “The ABR makes changes that help trainees,” said Dr. Covello, who earned his board certification this past April. “Being able to serve on the committee has been important for me to…
Lone Radiologist Duties Enriched His Career
Fresh off his diagnostic radiology residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Jason Wagner, MD, had a military commitment to satisfy before moving on to his planned fellowship. His assignment? Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City needed a radiologist who could fly solo. “They didn’t need a hospital; there are multiple ones within miles of the base,” said Dr. Wagner, who worked at Tinker from 2005…
Two ABR Representatives Join ABMS Committees
By Mimi Newell, MD ABR Associate Executive Director, Diagnostic Radiology Each year, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Governance Committee seeks nominations for open positions from among its Member Boards, of which the ABR is one. We are proud to announce that this cycle, two of our diplomates have been chosen for impactful positions. Robert M. Barr, MD, FACR, has been selected to serve on the ABMS Governance Committee. The committee is responsible for overseeing all…
Hospice Duties Changed His Career Course
Three years into earning a chemical engineering degree at the University of Kansas, Ronald Chen, MD, MPH, took a sharp turn. He paused his studies to spend a year volunteering at a hospice in North Carolina. The inspiration came when he attended a conference session hosted by a volunteer group from the facility. “It made me realize that I was missing something and not doing exactly what I wanted,” Dr. Chen said. Shortly after the conference, he packed…
ABR Trustee to Become Radiology Chair at University of Utah
ABR Trustee David B. Larson, MD, MBA, has been named chair of the department of radiology and imaging sciences for the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, effective September 14. A pediatric radiologist by training, Dr. Larson joins University of Utah Health from Stanford University, where he served in numerous leadership roles over the past decade, including executive vice chair and acting chair…
When the Cancer Communicator Becomes the Cancer Patient
By Jeff White I don’t like surprises. In May 2023, I felt a lump on the right side of my neck, so I made an appointment with a primary care physician. I wasn’t concerned, but the doctor asked about weight loss, night sweats, and other possible issues. I had none of those symptoms. I asked…
He Still Enjoys Teaching a ‘Super Cool’ Subject
In his former career, medical physicist and ABR volunteer Matt Vanderhoek, PhD, taught high-school physics in Brooklyn. Getting students interested in the subject took effort. To overcome the challenge, Dr. Vanderhoek would spend the opening day of class doing demonstrations that captured his pupils’ attention. Knowing they were going through a boring day of reviewing…
She’s Found the Right Career and Workplace to Feel Fulfilled
Chelsea Pinnix, MD, PhD, has a litmus test for what qualifies as a good job. “I tell my kids that you want to look for a job that, if you hit the lottery, you would still want to get up and go to work the next day,” she said. Dr. Pinnix has found that fit…
ACR Membership Elects ABR Trustee as Vice President
ABR Trustee David Larson, MD, MBA, was elected vice president of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors at the organization’s annual meeting this week. Former ABR volunteer Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, MA, was voted in as president. Dr. Larson, who has been an ABR Trustee since 2018, is a professor of radiology at…
He’s Not Kidding: Second Board Certification Is Within Reach
Already board certified in diagnostic medical physics, Adrian Sanchez, MD, PhD, is on his way to earning diagnostic radiology certification. Dr. Sanchez is accustomed to change and chaos. He and his wife have seven kids who range in age from two months to 11 years. “It’s funny because (having children has) aligned with my professional…
ABR Trustee Earns Inaugural SIR Award
ABR Trustee John Fritz Angle, MD, was presented with the inaugural Dr. Barry T. Katzen Master Clinician Award during the Society of Interventional Radiology annual meeting in Toronto on Tuesday. The award honors an interventional radiologist who exemplifies dedication to clinical practice, patient care, diligence in their work, and continuous improvement within the field and…