February 15, 2018

OPEN LETTER TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS

Colleagues:
I am writing to provide you with some important updates and information about the AOA’s Certifying Board Services through the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM).

For those who may not be aware, I currently serve as the new AOA Vice President of Certifying Board Services. As Vice Chair of the Bureau for Osteopathic Specialists (BOS), I had the opportunity to work closely with many of the Certifying Board chairs in evolving AOA board certification over the past several years. Significant change and alignment has been especially evident over the last 18 months as we consolidated and centralized the operations of AOA’s 18 certifying boards. This work has enhanced our ability to innovate and redesign exam operations to be more relevant to the physicians’ changing practice environment and access to technology.
In December 2017, in the midst of the operational alignment, we experienced turnover in AOBEM leadership, due to an unrelated situation. This led to the appointment of a new Chair and Secretary who now provide oversight with the other highly qualified and dedicated members. The new Board consists of the following physicians:

Bryan D. Staffin, DO, FACOEP-D, Chair
A. Dale Chisum, DO, FACOEP-D, Secretary
Eric Appelbaum, DO, FACOI
Bobby Johnson, Jr., DO
Daniel Lombardi, DO, FACOEP
Thomas Mucci, DO, FACOEP
Donald Phillips, DO, FACOEP-D
Theodore A. Spevack, DO, FACOEP-D
Christopher Zabbo, DO, FACOEP

These physicians are dedicated to maintaining the long history of excellence in the certification of osteopathic emergency physicians. The Board’s examination schedule will remain in place, and its commitment to high-quality service to residents, applicants and diplomates continues to be strong and vigilant. The Board is committed to working with the AOA to advance osteopathic emergency medicine board certification.

We recognize there may be a great deal of misinformation circulating about the activities that led to the leadership transitions. We have chosen not to respond because the underlying circumstances are confidential. The AOA’s decision in the case which led to the leadership transitions was made only after a determination that the individual concerned had completed
accredited emergency medicine residency training, based on due consideration of all available information, and a thorough consideration of the surrounding circumstances. These various levels of review and due process are actually what help to ensure quality and integrity to our certifying board system.

Change is never easy. Challenges are common and frankly, should be expected. Our profession has a history of responding to challenges and change, and coming out stronger on the other side. From my vantage point, I fully agree with AOA President Mark Baker that our future has never been brighter! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to AOA Certifying Board Services.

Please feel free to contact me at dwilliams@osteopathic.org or 312-202-8184 with any comments, concerns or questions.

Sincerely,
Daniel G. Williams, DO, FAAO
Vice President, Certifying Board Services