The Monthly Dose: July 2025

Posted by Jorge Francisco on

Welcome to the latest edition of "The Monthly Dose"!

Let’s dig in!

News and Announcements

NBPAS Physicians Featured in New Article and Podcast:
Physicians Taking Back Medicine

NBPAS is pleased to share a compelling article and related podcast episode by NBPAS diplomate Dr. Rebekah Bernard, part of her monthly Physicians Taking Back Medicine series in Medical Economics.

In her episode “Is MOC Contributing to the Physician Shortage?” (June 26, 2025), Dr. Bernard explores how burdensome Maintenance of Certification (MOC) pathways may be driving experienced physicians to exit practice earlier than intended. The episode features two respected NBPAS diplomates:

  • Dr. Paul Mathew, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Affiliate Member, Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, also founding member of the NBPAS Board of Trustees.
  • Dr. Mark Lopatin, board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, and long-time MOC reform advocate from Pennsylvania.

They share candid stories about their experiences navigating MOC and inspire practical reform through both the article and the podcast.

Dr. Bernard’s podcast delivers honest conversations and insightful commentary from frontline physicians tackling today's healthcare challenges. We're honored NBPAS physicians were included and we are thankful for her leadership in shining a light on this critical issue.

Read the full article and listen to the podcast published by: MedicalEconomics

New JAMA/ABIM Article Faces Widespread Criticism -

"Marketing Disguised as Science Embarrasses Everyone Involved"

Don't miss cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. John Mandrola’s compelling critique of a recent study conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and published in the June 2025 issue of JAMA. The study claims that physicians participating in ABIM’s Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) program deliver better patient outcomes—a conclusion Dr. Mandrola argues is based on deeply flawed observational data.

His incisive analysis not only dismantles the study’s methodology but also raises serious concerns about the growing trend of using such research to influence public policy. Physicians should be well-informed and prepared to challenge these misleading claims in professional and policy discussions.

Read Article

Hospital Acceptance

New Hospital Acceptances in July

We are excited to announce that five additional hospitals have added NBPAS certification to their medical staff bylaws—an important step forward in expanding physician choice in continuous certification.

  • Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown, Greenville, SC
  • Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside, Greenville, SC

And many thanks to NBPAS Diplomate Sarosh Bukhari, MD, for his advocacy to bring the following hospitals on board:

  • Powers Health: Community Hospital, Munster, IN
  • Powers Health: St. Catherine Hospital, East Chicago, IN
  • Powers Health Rehabilitation Center, Crown Point, IN

Advocate for NBPAS Acceptance at Your Hospital

Now is the perfect time to introduce your hospital to NBPAS. Some hospitals are not familiar with NBPAS while others may have questions and misunderstandings. You can help change that at your hospital. Visit our website to access resources and information that can help make it easier to engage your hospital’s clinical and administrative leadership. Your voice matters!

Introduce NBPAS to Your Hospital

NBPAS Leadership Academy

Thank you to everyone who attended Session Three of the NBPAS Leadership Academy: The Business of Certification – Conflicts of Interest Fueling the MOC System.

If you were unable to attend the live session, we encourage you to watch the recording. This session offers a comprehensive overview of the interconnected board relationships within organized medicine and how these ties contribute to the persistence of unproven Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs. NBPAS believes exposing these often-ignored relationships is essential to breaking the monopoly and restoring competition and choice in board certification.

Be sure to register for Session Four of the NBPAS Leadership Academy: Advocating for NBPAS with Hospitals, Employers, and Payors. Learn how to confidently lead the conversation on certification reform using practical tools and data to engage hospitals, employers, colleagues, and payors.

Join us on Wednesday, September 17th at 7 PM EST and be part of the movement to bring meaningful change to your institution.

Register

Champions of Change

Thank you to all NBPAS physicians who go above and beyond to champion life-long learning while advocating for competition and choice in continuing certification.

Meet our July Champion of Change: Byron Jasper, MD, MPH

Dr. Byron Jasper is the founder and CEO of Byja Clinic, a Direct Primary Care practice delivering high-quality family medicine services to patients throughout the Baton Rouge, Louisiana region. Byja Clinic recently received the Best Medical Clinic recognition in the 2025 Baton Rouge Awards!

As a committed advocate for physician leadership and healthcare reform, Dr. Jasper successfully engaged the Medical Executive Committee (MEC) at Baton Rouge General Medical Center (BRGMC) regarding NBPAS. His efforts led to NBPAS being added to the bylaws at three BRGMC sites: Ascension, Bluebonnet, and Mid City. Reflecting on the process, Dr. Jasper shared, "The MEC had discussed NBPAS in the past but welcomed my updates, especially NBPAS’ expanded acceptance into payor markets and national accreditation standards. It was a great experience and a good example of how physician engagement can really make a difference."

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Jasper is the author of The Byja Blueprint: An Introductory Guide to Direct Primary Care for Doctors, Patients, and Businesses. His passion for community health and educational mentorship is evident through his leadership in founding two impactful nonprofit organizations: the Comprehensive Medical Mentoring Program (CMMP), which empowers minority students pursuing careers in health professions, and the Byja Charitable Alliance (BCA), which focuses on improving public health outcomes in underserved communities.

Dr. Jasper is a proud graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana. He earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He completed his residency in family medicine at the Baton Rouge General Family Medicine Residency Program. Furthering his expertise, Dr. Jasper completed fellowships in Community Health Leadership Development at Georgetown University School of Medicine, as well as in HIV and Hepatitis C care at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C.

We deeply appreciate Dr. Jasper’s unwavering commitment to his patients, his dedicated advocacy for community health, and his ongoing support of NBPAS in the pursuit of meaningful healthcare reform.

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