The Monthly Dose: November 2024

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

Let’s dig in!

NBPAS is proud to announce that DaVita Kidney Care, one of the largest dialysis providers in the United States, has added NBPAS to its list of accepted board certifications for medical directors at all its facilities. This decision is effective immediately. With an extensive network of 2,675 facilities serving over 200,000 patients annually, DaVita’s decision marks a significant step in expanding the recognition of NBPAS across the health care system.

This achievement was made possible through the leadership of several NBPAS nephrologists who advocated for change within DaVita, as well as the dedicated efforts of our NBPAS team. Our team worked collaboratively with CMS’ End Stage Renal Dialysis (ESRD) division over several months to ensure a thorough evaluation. CMS’ review included input from policymakers, physicians, and attorneys, reflecting a detailed, date-driven review of NBPAS.

NBPAS President and Founder Dr. Paul Teirstein shared, "Our discussions with CMS on this issue highlight how an objective, data-driven evaluation of lifelong learning does not support a requirement for MOC nor the exclusion of NBPAS. We were impressed with CMS' meticulous review and are very pleased to see this expansion of choice for physicians' continuing certification. We remain committed to making NBPAS an accepted and viable choice for physicians in all specialties and subspecialties. I am deeply grateful to our diplomates whose local leadership and advocacy were critical to achieving this milestone."

NBPAS was thrilled to learn that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) welcomes NBPAS-certified physicians!

CPSBC Executive Director, Corinne de Bruin, LLB, CAE, CHE, responded to NBPAS' inquiry by sharing that, "Any physician who holds original/initial ABMS [or AOA] certification and subsequently chooses to use NBPAS for continued certification would be eligible to apply for registration in BC."

NBPAS is proud to announce the addition of West Valley Hospital in Caldwell, Idaho, an award winning community hospital employing over 200 physicians. West Valley Hospital has achieved many notable recognitions for its clinical quality, safety, and patient-centered care including:

• State certified Level III Trauma Center and Level II Stroke Center for patients
• Named among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® by PINC AI for several consecutive years.
• Rated 5-Star hospital by CMS for Quality
• Grade "A" hospital safety score by The Leapfrog Group
• HealthGrades Awards for patient safety several years in a row - ranking West Valley among nation's best
• The only hospital in Idaho to achieve designation among the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare. This annual award recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide that empower employees to perform at their optimum level.

A special thanks goes to Dr. Daniel Noonan, FHRS, FACC, NBPAS-certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, for his dedicated efforts that made this achievement possible.

NBPAS diplomates continue to be the most important ambassadors to drive change at hospitals and health systems. To learn how to introduce NBPAS to your hospital please visit our website:

Champions of Change

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

NBPAS is proud to introduce our November Champion of Change: Michael (Mick) Gibbs, President and CEO, Avera Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Mick’s involvement with NBPAS began when several cardiologists at his hospital suggested including NBPAS in the hospital bylaws. Not only did Mick support this, but he became a strong advocate, actively working to certify more physicians with NBPAS and promoting its adoption within the broader physician community.

In Mick’s own words:

"NBPAS was brought to my attention by the cardiologists I support, and after investigating the option I was convinced it would help reduce administrative burden and costs while maintaining quality. So many times I’ve seen the consequences of physician burnout but it is much more rare that you find an opportunity to reduce unnecessary burdens. NBPAS is a terrific example of the positive disruption in health care that we so desperately need. I am proud to champion NBPAS within my organization and its role in supporting the lifelong learning and clinical excellence of our medical staff."

Mick holds a Master of Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Biomedical Ethics from Case Western Reserve University, and a Bachelor of Speech Communication from the University of North Dakota. He is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

NBPAS is deeply appreciative to Mick for his ongoing support of NBPAS and its mission to promote clinical excellence and innovation.

NBPAS asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide relief from what it believes is an effort by ABMS and its constituent boards to use their monopoly power to exclude or eliminate competitors from the continuing certification market.

On April 18th, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a portal for public reporting of anti-competitive practices in healthcare including the example:

"Unnecessary Health Care Provider Recertification or Accreditation Requirements"

THANK YOU to everyone who submitted comments. If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to have your voice heard! Submit your comments below and share with any physician you know.

In the words of NBPAS Founder and President, Dr. Paul Teirstein - "We urge every physician who has been harmed by MOC to speak now, speak loudly, and spread the word to every physician you know."

Not yet a Diplomate? Apply for NBPAS Certification today.

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