John K. Wakelin, MD, FACS

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a not-for-profit organization, assists 24 approved medical specialty boards in the development and use of standards in the ongoing evaluation and certification of physicians. ABMS, recognized as the "gold standard" in physician certification, believes higher standards for physicians means better care for patients. Board certification by an ABMS member board provides assurance of a physician's expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of practice.