There are many challenges facing medical certification organizations these days—evolving certification standards, technology integration, and increased scrutiny from the medical community and regulators, to name a few—but Michael L. Carius, MD, FACEP, is ready to meet those challenges. He was elected President of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) in August and will serve for the 2016–2017 term.

Dr. Carius

Dr. Carius is currently assistant clinical professor in the department of traumatology and emergency medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, emeritus chair of the department of emergency medicine at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, and an emergency physician at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport and Milford Hospital in Milford, all in Connecticut.

He has a long history with ABEM, including serving on its Board of Directors since 2009 and on its executive committee since 2013. He is also an active ACEP member, having served on the Board of Directors and as ACEP President for 2000–2001.

Dr. Carius recently sat down with ACEP Now to talk about his goals as ABEM President and the value ABEM certification has for physicians and society.

What are your goals during your term as ABEM President?

I have three main goals. First, one of most important things I can accomplish is to maintain the current trajectory of ABEM. ABEM is constantly innovating with testing formats, such as the eOral cases, and regularly reviewing the ABEM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Creating positive changes that enhance the relevance and meaningfulness of the MOC program is a priority for me.

The second goal I have is to further strengthen our relationships with other emergency medicine organizations. We have an outstanding relationship with ACEP and our specialty. Emergency physicians and patients seeking emergency care benefit when we are all working together.

Our ability to partner with other organizations such as ACEP has led to high-value CME as a part of MOC. ABEM has received outstanding suggestions from the EM community that have increased the value of certification.

The third goal is to get more community emergency physicians involved in ABEM activities, including writing exam questions, becoming oral examiners, and even being on the ABEM Board. Most of our diplomates practice in the community setting, and we need their input and participation.

What is your vision for ABEM, especially as it impacts other organizations?

ABEM interacts with different organizations on several levels, including other EM organizations, other medical specialties, and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Our ability to partner with other organizations such as ACEP has led to high-value CME as a part of MOC. ABEM has received outstanding suggestions from the EM community that have increased the value of certification.