Today marks 43 years of the American Board of Emergency Medicine being recognized as the 23rd medical specialty of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Looking back on the history of ABEM, we can learn about the resilience it took the leaders in the specialty to achieve this accomplishment. However, it is no surprise that they achieved their goal, as emergency physicians are some of the most resilient individuals. The work emergency physicians do helps build this skill and creates more adaptability in the face of adversity.
We celebrate and commend the resilience of emergency physicians. Over the past 43 years, Emergency Medicine has adapted to challenges and come out stronger. Resilience is often cited in the context of crisis response, but its true meaning goes deeper: the proactive building of skills and capabilities to sustain people and organizations for the long haul. Resilience is a skill that needs to be cultivated and practiced. Emergency Physicians practice this skill regularly and are well equipped to adapt and grow.
Through social, economic, and life challenges, emergency physicians have maintained their role as a stable and reliable resource for the communities they serve. Faced with adversity, crisis, and challenges, ABEM-certified physicians are proven to be adaptable, flexible, and resilient in exemplifying ABEM’s mission of ensuring the highest standards in the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
ABEM-certified physicians, please take a moment today to reflect on your accomplishments and remember the value you and your skills bring to the specialty, to your communities, and to your patients.
Share your stories and photos with ABEM using #ABEMProud and #FacesofABEM, or submit them here.
>> Learn more about the development of Emergency Medicine as a specialty.
