Focus on MP: ABR Appreciates Volunteers’ Hard Work and Commitment
By ABR Board of Trustees Chair Matthew B. Podgorsak, PhD; future ABR Trustee Katja Langen, PhD; ABR Trustees Jennifer Stickel, PhD, and Sameer Tipnis, PhD; and ABR Associate Executive Director for Medical Physics Geoffrey S. Ibbott, PhD
June 2026;19(3):7
The mission of the ABR is “to certify that our diplomates demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skill, and understanding of their disciplines to the benefit of patients.” For each of the specialties certified by the ABR (diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, medical physics, and radiation oncology), this is done primarily through administration of Initial Certification (IC) exams for candidates navigating their way through the certification process, and application of the Continuing Certification (CC) program for those already certified, who are known as ABR diplomates.
The primary instruments used in the IC and CC programs are remote computer-based qualifying exams, the final remote oral certifying exam, and Online Longitudinal Assessment (OLA). Content for these instruments is developed by subject matter experts who are ABR diplomates active in clinical practice and who volunteer their time on question-writing committees.
A volunteer’s term on a medical physics question-writing committee includes many hours of engagement throughout the year: writing questions, providing peer-review during remote committee meetings of questions authored by other committee members, and participating in a one- to two-day face-to-face meeting at the end of a writing cycle when committee members provide final review of the exam to be administered in the following year. It is not an exaggeration to say that most volunteers contribute over 75 hours annually, some of which is spent away from home. A typical term is three years, and most volunteers complete two terms on a question-writing committee. Becoming chair of a committee results in one or two additional terms of three years each, involving more time and greater responsibilities.
Oral examiners devote up to 45 hours per exam administration. This includes participating in comprehensive training prior to the exam, followed by multiple days of examining candidates. This is in addition to the oral examiner’s contributions to question-writing committees.
Finally, the ABR seeks feedback on our IC and CC programs from advisory committees, also composed of volunteers who meet with ABR leadership several times a year to provide their thoughts on how the organization can improve these programs.
To show our appreciation to our more than 1,300 volunteers, in 2021 the ABR began hosting volunteer receptions at national society meetings. Please see From the President: ABR Celebrates the Critical Role of Its Volunteers in this issue for more information on these events.
Clearly, active participation as an ABR volunteer requires a considerable time commitment. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors are tremendously grateful to our volunteers, without whom the ABR would not be able to fulfill its mission.
