The Monthly Dose: September 2025
Posted by Jorge Francisco on
Welcome to the latest edition of "The Monthly Dose"!
Let’s dig in!
Hospital Acceptance
New Accepting Hospitals Added!
We are excited to announce that three more hospitals have officially added NBPAS certification to their medical staff bylaws. Each new adoption is a meaningful step toward reducing unnecessary burdens on physicians and expanding access to an evidence-based choice in continuous certification.
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WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital – Princeton, WV
203-bed acute care hospital (plus 64-bed psychiatric hospital), serving a 10-county region in southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Member of the WVU Medicine health system. -
Andalusia Health – Andalusia, AL
An 88-bed Joint Commission–accredited hospital offering comprehensive diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic services. Part of the ScionHealth network. -
HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital – Tamarac, FL
A 317-bed acute care hospital within HCA Healthcare, recognized for orthopedic, joint replacement, and behavioral health programs.
With these additions, NBPAS is now recognized by more than 250 hospitals and health systems nationwide. Every new institution strengthens the physician-led movement to replace costly, time-consuming MOC requirements with a pathway that values CME, professional expertise, and patient care.
Together, we are building momentum toward meaningful reform—one hospital at a time.
MOC In The News
Editor-in-Chief of JCO Oncology Practice Questions MOC’s Value
"If an oncologist participates in a 1-hour multidisciplinary tumor board but does not report it to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), did it happen?"
With that pointed question, Dr. Jeffrey Peppercorn, Editor-in-Chief of JCO Oncology Practice, captures the frustrations many physicians feel with Maintenance of Certification (MOC). What was originally intended as a tool for lifelong learning has instead become, for many, a costly and time-consuming burden that contributes to physician burnout.
In his editorial "For Those About to MOC, We Salute You," Dr. Peppercorn gives voice to the growing concern that MOC fails to recognize the real, everyday work physicians do to stay current and provide high-quality care. His call for meaningful reform resonates across specialties, underscoring the need for a certification system that supports physicians rather than drains them.
At NBPAS, we share this vision. Our mission is to provide physicians with an evidence-based, CME-centered pathway for continuous certification—one that respects their time, expertise, and commitment to patients.
Read the Editorial here: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.24.00282
Emergency Medicine Leader Warns of a Physician Certification Monopoly
Dr. Elizabeth P. Maxwell-Schmidt, an emergency medicine specialist based in Annapolis, MD, recently published an op-ed in Bay to Bay News warning that the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), working in concert with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), has created a monopoly in physician board certification.
Dr. Maxwell-Schmidt argues that this collusion limits access to care and exacerbates physician shortages — especially in rural America and in specialties that ABMS does not certify, such as family medicine, obstetrics, disaster, integrative, and emergency medicine. She cites stark realities:
- 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021.
- 65% of rural America faces primary care shortages.
- 28% drop in medical school graduates from rural areas between 2002 and 2017.
According to Dr. Maxwell-Schmidt, channeling all physicians into ABMS-only pathways not only worsens shortages, but also drives up costs, stifles innovation, and violates the principles of fair competition. She likens the system to forcing Americans to "buy one manufacturer’s vehicles and fuel only at Shell."
Her piece adds a strong physician voice to the growing concern that ABMS’s monopoly over certification harms both patients and doctors.
At NBPAS, we echo her call: competition and physician choice in continuous board certification are not only about fairness — they are essential to restoring access, lowering costs, and protecting innovation in the US health care system.
Read Op-Ed here: https://baytobaynews.com/stories/maxwell-schmidt-a-potential-health-care-monopoly-looms,253620
NBPAS Leadership Academy
Thank you to everyone who attended Session Four of the NBPAS Leadership Academy: Combating Misinformation and Expanding NBPAS with Hospitals, Employers, and Payors.
If you were unable to attend the live session, we encourage you to watch the recording which takes a deep dive into successfully advocating for NBPAS while combatting misinformation that may stand in your way.
Session Four cuts through the noise, exposing how ABMS’ widely-shared marketing materials undermine physician choice, and reinforce its certification monopoly. You’ll also learn how you can use factual counterpoint to advocate for NBPAS with your hospital, health system, or employer. If you’re ready for clarity, transparency, and a candid look at monopolistic behavior in action, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Be sure to register for Session Five of the NBPAS Leadership Academy:
NBPAS Physician Leadership Roundtable
Wednesday, November 12th at 7 PM EST
Join us and be a part of the movement to bring meaningful change to your institution.
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 September Champion of Change: Vishal Mahabir, MD
NBPAS is proud to recognize Vishal Mahabir, MD, as our September Champion of Change. Dr. Mahabir, board-certified with NBPAS in Internal Medicine, practices at Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) in New Jersey where he serves as both a hospitalist and nocturnist with a special focus on developing quality and safety protocols. He also has additional training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic diseases.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Mahabir is a tireless advocate for NBPAS. He actively engages colleagues, hospital leadership, and large academic health systems to highlight the value of NBPAS certification. At HMH, he spearheaded efforts as early as 2017 to introduce NBPAS and his persistence and leadership helped demonstrate that NBPAS is not merely an option, but the optimal pathway for continuous certification.
Dr. Mahabir’s advocacy has included conversations with the HMH board and direct discussions with health system leadership, earning strong support for including NBPAS certification as a recognized option. His articulate and passionate voice continues to drive awareness, ensuring physicians understand the fairness, practicality, and credibility NBPAS offers compared to traditional MOC programs.
We are proud to honor Dr. Mahabir for his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing choice and integrity in physician certification.
Notes from the Office
Live Chat is Here!
You can now connect instantly with the NBPAS team through Live Chat inside the application. Whether you’re renewing your certification, updating your profile, or just have a question, our team is here to provide quick, reliable answers.
We know your time is valuable, and this new feature is designed to make communication faster and easier — so you can spend less time navigating forms and more time with your patients.
Next time you log in, look for the chat icon to start a conversation with our team.
Latest from the NBPAS Store
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Suggestion Box
Have an idea, need help? Reach out to NBPAS at info@nbpas.org.
We look forward to hearing from you.
