Become an ABEM Volunteer

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Related Information

Make a difference in the specialty of Emergency Medicine by getting involved with ABEM. (1)

Become an Oral Examiner

Criteria

  • Certified by ABEM for the past five years
  • Actively participating in the ABEM continuing certification process
  • Completed an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited EM residency
  • Clinically active in the practice of EM
  • Possess Oral Examiner Attributes

Time Commitment

  • Selected Oral examiners will be appointed to a 3-year term with reappointments based on exam participation and performance. 
  • Oral examiners must participate in at least one Oral Exam each year of their term. Exam sessions are typically held 8am-5pm for 3-5 consecutive days.

Process

  • Nominees submit the Examiner Nomination Form. To be considered in the same year as the nomination, submissions must be entered before May 1.
  • Nominees contact a professional colleague (preferably an ABEM volunteer) who submits the Examiner Recommendation Form
  • Nominees contact or get a colleague to contact an ABEM Board Member (current or previous) to provide an endorsement 
  • During the summer Board meeting (usually in July), new examiners are appointed. Nominees are notified of the results via email the following month.

Become an Item Writer

Criteria

  • Certified by ABEM for the past five years
  • Actively participating in the ABEM continuing certification process
  • Completed an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited EM residency
  • Clinically active in the practice of EM
  • Possess Item Writer Attributes

Time Commitment

  • Selected item writers are appointed for a 3-year term with a limit of three terms (9 years) following the completion of the nomination process. 
  • Item writers must complete three item assignments per year (24 items total during the term).
  • The appointment requires regular attendance and participation at the annual Item Writers Workshop, usually held in July.
  • New writers must attend a training and orientation session before beginning their first term as a writer.

Process

  • Nominees complete the Item Writer Information Form.
  • Nominees contact a professional colleague (preferably an ABEM volunteer) who submits the Item Writer Recommendation Form.
  • Nominees contact or have a colleage contact an ABEM Board Member (current or previous) to provide an endorsement.
  • During the summer Board meeting (usually in July), new item writers are appointed. Nominees are notified of the results via email the following month. If selected, the item writer's term will begin on July 1 of the year following initial appointment.
An individual can serve as both an examiner and an item writer simultaneously but cannot be nominated for both positions in the same year. There is typically a waiting list to become an examiner or item writer and it often takes two to three consecutive years of nomination to be selected.

ABEM Volunteers and DEI 

The principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) are critical to ABEM’s fulfillment of its mission to ensure the highest standards in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. ABEM promotes an atmosphere of diversity, inclusion, and equity acknowledging that different perspectives and cultures all contribute to better ideas and solutions for ABEM’s complex challenges. For its volunteers, ABEM seeks representation based on age, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, geographic location, veteran or military status, immigration status, and disability. ABEM encourages nominations of emergency physicians in all types of clinical settings, including community practice locations.
Full List of ABEM Volunteers
Oral Examiner Awards 
EMS Exam Committee Meets 
MedTox Subboard Meets
AEMUS Exam Committee Meets

For more information about volunteer appointments, please contact the Board office at volunteer@abem.org or 517-332-4800, option 5.