RECORD NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS

A record 1,001 physicians applied to take the 2020 American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam, which tests doctors for their competency in treating obesity. Physician candidates will take the test between February 24-27, 2020 at computer-based testing centers throughout the United States and Canada. The total number of applicants represents a 12 percent increase from the previous class of applicants. Over the past two years, more than 1,800 doctors have applied for ABOM certification.

“The entire medical community benefits from ABOM’s continued growth, as physicians are more comfortable and knowledgeable in treating patients coping with this pervasive disease,” said Dr. John Cleek, ABOM Board Chairman.

The 2020 exam candidates represent more than a dozen fields of medicine including internal medicine (36%), family medicine (30%), surgery (7%), pediatrics (6%), endocrinology (5%), gastroenterology (4%) and OB/GYN (3%). They come from 48 states and the District of Columbia, and include 60 physicians from Canada.

“We continue to be encouraged by the number of physicians who recognize the value in seeking obesity medicine certification,” said ABOM executive director Dana Brittan, MBA. “This shows that obesity medicine has gained a strong foothold within the medical community. In the long term, that means more patients will have access to care from physicians with the tools to treat obesity.”

The ABOM began overseeing the certification process for obesity medicine physicians in 2011. Today, there are more than 3,370 certified obesity medicine physicians throughout the United States and Canada.

About the American Board of Obesity Medicine

The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) serves the public and the field of obesity medicine through the examination and certification of candidate physicians who seek recognition of their accomplishments and knowledge in obesity medicine. Physicians who complete the ABOM certification process are designated Diplomates of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. To find an ABOM-certified obesity medicine physician, search our directory of diplomates. For more information about how ABOM certification can benefit you or your practice, visit www.abom.org, call 303-770-9100 or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.