A Word from Our Chair
When the American Board of Optometry was being formed in 2009, board certification had already been a well-established standard in medicine and was beginning to be adopted by other allied health professions. The establishment of board certification in optometry provided several important things. These include not only providing optometry a distinction in the healthcare system, but also providing a recognition that is understood by both healthcare providers and patients. In addition, board certification is a credential that supports the efforts for the profession’s scope expansion and represents an ongoing process of national recertification.
Board certification epitomizes the commitment to lifelong learning and providing the highest quality of care to patients. Recognition of ABO’s certification process by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA) reinforces the quality and prestige of being board certified. In meeting the standards put forth by CMS and NCAA, ABO’s robust board certification process mirrors that of the American Board of Medical Specialties, along with providing a recertification process that reflects recent advancements in healthcare and the profession.
Having been a part of and witnessing optometry’s invaluable scope expansion over the years, I have a deep appreciation for the hard work put forth by individuals, along with organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Thank you all. It is this continued growth that puts our profession in such an important and vital place in the care of our patients and the healthcare system overall.
As we move forward into 2024, a strong, recognized board certification program provides an important credential that can assist in the ongoing efforts in obtaining, maintaining, and protecting scope expansion. It is essential that we continue to grow and strengthen board certification not only for the value it provides to the individual optometrists and the patients they care for, but for the benefit of the whole profession.
Diane Adamczyk, OD, FAAO
Chair, American Board of Optometry
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