The American Board of Surgery
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) is an independent, private, and non-profit group that was established in 1937 to certify surgeons who have the education, experience, and qualifications to perform safe and competent work. There are a number of different specific certifications that surgeons may receive from the ABS depending on their areas of specialty. The ABS recognizes and represents many of the primary surgical organizations nationwide. It brings many smaller, regional groups together under a national set of principles and expectations.
Qualifications Necessary
In order to become certified by the ABS, a surgeon must meet the following requirements and qualifications:
- Successful completion of medical school
- A minimum completion of five years in residency
- Adequate training, experience, professionalism and ethics, as determined by the ABS
- Successful completion of ABS-established oral and written exams
All surgeons must receive their medical licenses to legally practice on patients; an ABS certification is not required but it does indicate a physician’s competence in his or her field of practice.
Types of Certification
All surgeons must receive ABS certification in general surgery before they may apply for certification in other, more specialized areas. Other certifications offered include the following:
- Vascular surgery
- Critical care surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Hospice medicine
- Hand surgery
- Palliative medicine
Certification must be renewed every 10 years to be maintained.
Contact Us
If you have been the victim of surgical malpractice in any form, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130 to speak with an attorney about your situation.