Abstract
Update from the American Board of Vascular Medicine
The American Board of Vascular Medicine (ABVM) just completed its 13th year of testing, providing physician certification in general and endovascular medicine. The certificate(s) allow practitioners to ‘identify’ both individually and collectively with our specialty. The value for board certification is determined by the perceived quality of care and demand for our services. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) in COCATS 4 has recognized the value by outlining the requirements for vascular medicine training in cardiology programs. 1 But, the ABVM has unsuccessfully petitioned the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Osteopathic Association to provide American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) access.
We are growing: the ABVM has certified over 800 and 1100 physicians in the fields of general and endovascular medicine, respectively. 2 Currently, we have made efforts to enhance the quality of our examinations by:
Expanding our testing to international sites, broadening our ‘community’ of like-minded specialists, and making it easier for physicians outside the US.
Creating a Vascular Medicine Subspecialty Recognition Taskforce, in concert with the Society for Vascular Medicine, that will assist efforts to increase recognition of vascular medicine at the state and national levels.
What can you do to advance the field of vascular medicine?
Create electronic links for vascular medicine services and practitioners through your hospital’s website.
Petition your state to recognize the specialty of vascular medicine.
Embrace our
Invest in our next generation: invite trainees to our national meeting, and introduce them to the myriad of readily accessible icons of our field.
We have only begun to tap the potential of our uniqueness and value to our patients, so join in, get involved, and enhance value for our vascular community.