Alert: "American Board of Geriatric Surgery"
Mar. 6, 2017
The ABS has recently learned that surgeons are receiving letters from a purported medical organization called the "American Board of Geriatric Surgery." This entity is not affiliated in any way with the American Board of Surgery nor with any other member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
The recent solicitation appears to be from the same individual who, through action taken by the ABS, was previously ordered in 2014 by the federal court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to cease this type of behavior, specifically any and all sales or solicitations "of certificates, use of letters, membership or diplomate, fellow or Board of Directors status related to any purported medical organization." The Third Circuit Court of Appeals later affirmed that judgment.
The ABS will keep diplomates informed regarding this issue and urges all diplomates to carefully evaluate any offers to sell them "diplomate" or "fellow" status in an organization.
About the ABS
- The American Board of Surgery is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their board certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities.
- The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
