New Cardiology Board Rejected by ABMS: What It Means for the Future of Cardiovascular Certification

Hopes for a new cardiology certification board were dashed when the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) denied the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM) application. This decision has sparked disappointment and frustration within the cardiology community, as many experts believe cardiovascular medicine has evolved into a distinct specialty that warrants its own certification process.

Why Was ABCVM Proposed?

The idea for an independent certification body for cardiologists emerged from long-standing dissatisfaction with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Critics argue that ABIM’s maintenance of certification (MOC) process is expensive, time-consuming, and fails to provide meaningful benefits for specialists. The move to create ABCVM was announced in September 2023, with support from major cardiovascular societies, including:

• The American College of Cardiology (ACC)
• The Heart Rhythm Society
• The Heart Failure Society of America
• The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI)
• The American Heart Association (AHA) (which joined later in October 2023)

ABMS Decision: A Step Backward?

Leaders of the proposed ABCVM argue that cardiovascular medicine is now separate from internal medicine, requiring a distinct set of knowledge, skills, and competencies. They also emphasize that traditional certification models do not reflect how modern clinicians learn and demonstrate proficiency throughout their careers.

Many have expressed disappointment with ABCVM’s application rejection, believing that ABMS has missed an opportunity to adopt a more specialized and modern certification framework.

What’s Next? The Fight Continues

Despite the setback, ABCVM supporters are not giving up. The ABCVM board of directors is now evaluating potential next steps, and organizations like SCAI have expressed continued commitment to reforming the certification process.

SCAI officials stated that ABMS had a chance to support an innovative and evidence-based certification model that aligns with how cardiovascular specialists train, practice, and maintain their skills. Instead, the current system remains outdated and disconnected from the realities of modern medicine.

ABMS, on the other hand, has remained silent on the specifics of the rejection, only referring to its publicly available policies on new board applications.

Take-Home Key Points

• The American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM) was denied recognition by ABMS.
• The certification process for cardiologists remains under ABIM despite concerns over its cost and effectiveness.
• The rejection ignores the evolution of cardiovascular medicine as a separate specialty.
• Supporters of ABCVM argue that a new board would better reflect modern learning and skill demonstration.
• Despite the rejection, efforts to change the certification system continue, with strong backing from major cardiovascular societies.

This decision marks a crucial moment for cardiologists, who continue to advocate for a more effective, fair, and relevant certification process that genuinely serves their profession and their patients.