When choosing a doctor, have you ever been advised to find a doctor who is “board certified?” For example, if you were looking for a “board-certified” pediatric gastroenterologist, the Children’s Hospital of Illinois is the only hospital in the area that has physicians “board certified” in pediatric gastroenterology.

Dr. Issam Halabi is the division head of the pediatric G.I. department at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. He is board certified in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and most recently served as medical director of the Pediatric Specialty Clinic at the University of Oklahoma.

Mohammad Yaseen, M.D., is board certified in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. He completed his pediatric residency at Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown, Ohio. He then completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma.

But what does “board certified” mean?
Becoming board certified in the United States is a voluntary process. Board certification demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice.

The scope of modern medical knowledge is vast. Most medical school graduates take additional training before entering clinical practice. Those choosing to become specialists take at least two more years of training. The recognized standard-setting organization is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

ABMS requires a high standard of training and performance and ensures them by rigid examinations. The exams have written and oral components. Successful applicants receive diplomas and are considered “board certified.” Most certificates expire within seven or 10 years and require reexamination for renewal. Doctors benefit from the reexamination because they use the most current guidelines and standards in their specialty and are widely recognized as leaders in the national movement for healthcare quality.

According to the American Board of Medical Specialties, patients experience fewer medical errors, better communication and quality clinical outcomes when they choose a board-certified physician.

Visit abms.org/Who_We_Help/consumers/verifying.aspx to find out if your doctor is board certified.