Your Surgeon is Certified by the American Board of Surgery
The surgeon who has attained Certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) has specialized knowledge and experience relating to the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, postoperative and nonoperative management of surgical problems in the following essential content are as:
Alimentary tract — esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel
Abdomen and its contents — diaphragm, biliary tract, liver, pancreas, spleen
Breast, skin and soft tissue — benign and malignant disease
Head and neck surgery — including trauma, vascular, congenital and cancerous disorders
Vascular surgery — arteries and veins, excluding the vessels in the brain, heart and lungs
Endocrine surgery — thyroid and parathyroid glands, the pancreas and adrenal glands
Surgical oncology — including coordinated management of the cancer patient
Comprehensive management of trauma — the responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient including burns
Complete care of critically ill patients — with underlying surgical conditions
Pediatric surgery
Transplantation surgery
The surgeon also has knowledge of plastic surgery and general thoracic surgery. The surgeon is also capable of employing various endoscopic techniques.
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What is the American Board of Surgery?
The American Board of Surgery was founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying those found to successfully meet specific educational requirements and to complete an examination process. A major reason for establishing the Board was to identify surgeons who have met a certain standard of excellence.
The ABS is an independent, nonprofit organization with worldwide recognition. It is one of the twenty four certifying boards that are members of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The Directors of the American Board of Surgery are distinguished surgeons in education, research, and practice in the
United States
.
For more information about the American Board of American Board of Surgery certification process, please click here.
What does it mean to be
Board Certified by the ABS?
To be certified by the American Board of Surgery means that the surgeon has met a standard in surgery by fulfilling specified educational, evaluation and examination requirements.
Since 1976, the American Board of Surgery has issued certificates that are valid for ten years. Once certified, the surgeon who wishes to maintain certified status upon expiration of the original certificate must complete a recertification process which includes a review of credentials to determine if the surgeon has continued surgical education, is respected by peers and is active in the practice of surgery. Successful completion of a written examination completes the recertification process. Upon satisfactory completion of the recertification process, the surgeon’s certification is extended for another ten years.
The ABS also awards certification in Pediatric Surgery, Surgery of the Hand, Surgical Critical Care and Vascular Surgery. Certification in these areas requires at least one additional year of education, endorsement by the program director, peer review, and an examination process similar to initial certification. These certificates are also valid for ten years and require a recertification process.
Surgical Critical Care, Pediatric Surgery and Vascular Surgery are included in a surgeon’s initial educational program and many surgeons have specialized in these areas without additional education.
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