November 1, 2023- The national Board of Directors of the American Heart Association last week voted to provide full support to the House of Cardiology’s consortium proposal to create a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM) specifically to certify cardiovascular physicians.
The proposal for the new ABCVM was announced on September 21, 2023 by the consortium of professional societies including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI).
The leaders of the ABCVM will include professional representatives from the consortium member organizations. The new ABCVM will replace the ABIM’s current Maintenance of Certification process with a specific focus on relevant education, trainings and supports that recognize the increasing specialization in cardiology and the latest advances in the various subspecialties of cardiovascular medicine.
Professional certification by ABIM is a condition of employment for physicians practicing in large hospitals or health systems, therefore, it is required, not optional. A dedicated certification board separate from ABIM will help to ensure that cardiovascular professionals are maintaining the expertise appropriate to high quality care and improved outcomes for their patients.