Qualifications
Board Certification in Surgery
Our surgeons are board certified in general surgery. Board certified surgeons have met stringent requirements as specified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The steps to becoming board certified are:
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Graduation from an accredited medical school
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Completion of a surgical residency in an accredited program in the United States or Canada of at least five years duration after medical school
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Application to the American Board of Surgery for certification.
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Review of the applicant's qualifications by the ABS
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Passing an extensive day-long written examination
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Passing a separate oral examination administered by three teams of highly-qualified academic surgeons to assess the candidate's ability to handle surgical problems
In 1976, the ABS began granting certification for a ten year period. After ten years, a surgeon must be re-certified. The ABS reviews the surgeon's credentials, including continuing education in the field of surgery, professional respect by other surgeons in the community, and the on-going practice of surgery. The surgeon is then eligible to take a written exam, which must be passed to extend the certification for another ten years. In addition, documentation of ongoing medical education is required every three years to prove maintenance of certification.
Board certified surgeons have been tested to assure they have the specialized skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat a variety of surgical conditions. These skills are outlined by the American Board of Surgery on their web site. For information about ABS and the speciality of surgery:
The ABS can be reached also by writing to the following address:
American Board of Surgery, Inc.
1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 860
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1847
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Most of our surgeons are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. After approximately two years in practice, a surgeon may apply to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The surgeon must present a portfolio of surgical cases for review, be recommended by his peers, and be interviewed by a regional group of Fellows. After this process, if the surgeon meets all criteria, induction as a Fellow is done at the national congress.
Information about the College can be found on the A.C.S. web site:
The ACS can be reached by writing to the following address:
American College of Surgeons
633 North Saint Claair St.
Chicago, IL 60611-3211
