Steven E. Zimmet, MD, RVT, FACPh
President, American Board of Phlebology

It is a pleasure to announce a historic milestone in phlebology; the creation of an independent specialty board. This development will contribute significantly to the recognition and acceptance of phlebology as well as serve to improve standards of patient care. It is an important affirmation for those who have chosen to contribute to and work in the field of venous disease.

The American Board of Phlebology (ABPh), an independent non-profit organization, is organized under the laws of the state of Illinois for scientific and educational purposes. No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or other individual.

The purposes for which the Board is organized are to:

1) Improve the standards of medical practitioners and the quality of patient care related to the treatment of venous disorders and all aspects of venous disease;
2) Serve the public and the medical profession by establishing initial and continuing qualifications for certification and maintenance of certification as physician specialists in the practice of phlebology;
3) Examine physician candidates for certification and maintenance of certification in the practice of phlebology;
4) Establish educational standards for teaching and training programs in phlebology; and
5) Maintain a registry of individuals who hold certificates issued by the Board.

It is not the purpose of the Board to define requirements for membership on hospital staffs, to gain special recognition or privileges for its diplomates in the practice of phlebology or to define the scope of phlebology practice. The Board does not define who may or may not practice phlebology. It is neither a source of censure nor an entity for the resolution of ethical or medico-legal issues.

Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrates a physician’s commitment and expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice.

The American Board of Phlebology Certification Exam will be delivered via Pearson Vue testing centers, located throughout the US and internationally, on April 5 and April 7-12, 2008. The exam is open to licensed physicians who meet rigorous prerequisite qualifications in phlebology training or experience and professional standing. Candidates who wish to sit for the examination must:

1) Submit an application form, including required information and fees
2) Fulfill prerequisite minimum standards of phlebology involvement
3) Meet professional standards
4) Verify that they understand and agree to Board policies

The Board does not sanction the term "board eligible." Acceptance for examination, only determined after formal application, acknowledges only that the candidate has successfully fulfilled the requirements and does not certify that he or she is a specialist in phlebology.

The Board is comprised of 7 Directors:

Craig F. Feied, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FACPh
• Professor of Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine
• Director of the ER One Institutes for Innovation in Medicine in Washington, DC, including the Institute for Medical Informatics, the Institute for Public Health and Emergency Readiness, the Center for Biologic Counterterrorism and Emerging Diseases, the Medical Media Lab, the Simulation and Training Environment Lab, the Institute for Nursing Innovation and the ER One Design Institute.
• Past-President, American College of Phlebology

Peter Gloviczki, MD, FACS
• Professor of Surgery and Chair, Division of Vascular Surgery
• Director, Gonda Vascular Center, Mayo Clinic
• Past President, American Venous Forum

B. B. (Byung-Boong) Lee, MD, PhD, FACS?
• Professor of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine
• Clinical Professor of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• Emeritus Chairman and Founder, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center & SungKyunKwan University
• Founder, CVM Clinic and Lymphedema Clinic, Seoul, Korea
• Former Clinical (Visiting) Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Robert J. Min, MD, MBA, FACPh, FSIR
• Acting Chairman of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College
• Associate Attending Radiologist, Weill Cornell Medical College
• Associate Professor of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College
• President, American College of Phlebology

Tri H. Nguyen, MD, FACPh
• Associate Professor, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
•Dermatology?Director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Suresh Vedantham, MD
• Associate Professor, Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine
• Associate Professor, Surgery, Interventional Radiology Section, Washington University School of Medicine

Steven E. Zimmet, MD, RVT, FACPh
• North American Editor, Phlebology
• Past President ACP

You can find the criteria, application, important dates related to the certification exam, policies and other information about the certification exam and the Board at www.AmericanBoardofPhlebology.org.

The American Board of Phlebology neither administers nor endorses review courses for ACPh examinations. The Board does provide a document about exam content and content weighting, but does not provide guidance to organizations offering review courses. Participation in review courses does not ensure successful completion of the certification exam.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The American Board of Phlebology
100 Webster Street – Suite 101
Oakland CA 94607-3724

Tel: 510-834-6500
Fax: 510-832-7300
Website: www.AmericanBoardofPhlebology.org