February 2021

By James B. Spies, MD, MPH, ABR Associate Executive Director for Interventional Radiology February 2021;14(1):11 Recognizing the importance of broad input into the Continuing Certification (Maintenance of Certification, MOC) process within interventional radiology, the ABR has empaneled an IR MOC advisory committee. Similar to advisory committees for diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology, this committee has…

By Paul E. Wallner, DO, ABR Associate Executive Director for Radiation Oncology; Brian J. Davis, MD, PhD, ABR Trustee; and Anthony Gerdeman, PhD, ABR Director of Exam Services February 2021;14(1):10 From the 1970s through 2018, the certifying (oral) exams in radiation oncology were administered in a relatively similar manner each year. The Executive West Hotel…

By Donald J. Flemming, MD, ABR Board of Trustees Chair February 2021;14(1):6 The Diagnostic Radiology Certifying Pilot Exam in January provided an opportunity for us to gain a real-life look at a computer-based remote administration with a limited group of candidates. It was the first time we had administered a remote computer-based exam and the…

February 2021;14(1):14 When Mary Mahoney, MD, discusses her plans for 2021 as the new Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) president, she says things are “up in the air.” Interestingly, that’s one place she won’t spend much time this year despite the organization’s global reach. COVID-19, of course, is to blame. With in-person meetings shut…

By Matthew B. Podgorsak, PhD, Kalpana M. Kanal, PhD, Robert A. Pooley, PhD, ABR Trustees; J. Anthony Seibert, ABR Governor; and Geoffrey S. Ibbott, PhD, ABR Associate Executive Director for Medical Physics February 2021;14(1):9 The Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) program for medical physicists was initiated in January 2020. Feedback based on the first year’s experience…

By Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, ABR Executive Director, and Vincent P. Mathews, MD, ABR President February 2021;14(1):4 Since March 2020, much of the ABR’s effort has been directed toward adjusting our exam delivery model to minimize health risks for our candidates. Specifically, the uncertain degree and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted modifications to mitigate…

February 2021;14(1):15 The American College of Radiology (ACR) Board of Chancellors has named ABR Governor Cheri L. Canon, MD, one of three 2021 Gold Medalists in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the field of radiology and outstanding service to the ACR. Dr. Canon is chair of radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School…

February 2021;14(1):13 Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA) has been around for two years, including an entire year when diplomates from all four specialties participated. With more than 3.4 million answers submitted, many participants say it has been an effective way of satisfying Part 3 of Continuing Certification (Maintenance of Certification, MOC). More than 6,000 diplomates participated…

By Paul J. Rochon, MD, ABR Trustee February 2021;14(1):8 The ABR Board of Governors decided in July 2020 to switch to all remote exams. This was a difficult decision but necessary to maintain certification for candidates. Executive Director Brent Wagner, MD, MBA, held more than a dozen stakeholder meetings involving all specialties to incorporate feedback…

By N. Reed Dunnick, MD, ABR Associate Executive Director for Diagnostic Radiology February 2021;14(1):7 Certification by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Member Board is an important sign of quality. It is often used by patients to find a physician and may be required by healthcare providers. As a diplomate’s medical practice evolves, however,…

By Rodney Campbell, ABR Communications Manager February 2021;14(1):12 As an immigrant from Turkey, Hatice Savas, MD, took a less-traditional path to ABR certification. Educated at Istanbul University, Dr. Savas earned diagnostic radiology (DR) certification in her home country. After moving to the United States, she completed her training in cardiothoracic radiology, nuclear medicine and molecular…

By Cheri L. Canon, MD, ABR Governor February 2021;14(1):5 The Ethics and Professionalism Committee of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has defined professionalism as “a belief system about how best to organize and deliver health care, which calls on group members to jointly declare (‘profess’) what the public and individual patients can expect…