American Heart Association supports proposal to create new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

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).

“We enthusiastically join with our colleagues in proposing a new professional certification body to accredit cardiovascular professionals called the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. The new ABCVM will be independent of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and focus on the specific competency-based trainings and appropriate ongoing certifications that align with and strengthen skills for cardiovascular physicians and enhance quality of care for people with cardiovascular disease,” said the Association’s volunteer President Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA.

“The AHA joins the consortium to submit the application to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) requesting an independent medical Board for cardiovascular medicine. The consortium’s robust proposal harnesses the knowledge, skills and benchmarks appropriate for professional excellence and delivery of effective, high-quality cardiovascular care.

“This collaboration builds upon the 40+year relationship between the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to produce the clinical practice guidelines for cardiovascular care.”

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.

ABMS is the only authority widely recognized by the public, regulators and payers for initial and ongoing physician certification in the U.S.

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