#United States #Chicago #Board of Directors #American Board #J. Brantley Thrasher

Leadership Transition at ABMS

On July 7, 2025, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) made significant announcements regarding its leadership. Dr. J. Brantley Thrasher, MD, FACS has assumed the role of Chair of the ABMS Board of Directors, succeeding Dr. Rebecca L. Johnson, who served from 2023 to 2025. Johnson will now hold the position of Immediate Past Chair.

Dr. Thrasher has been a part of the ABMS Board since 2019 and possesses extensive experience in the field of urology. He currently holds the title of William L. Valk Distinguished Professor and previously served as the Chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. With board certification from the American Board of Urology, he has advanced to serve as its Executive Director and has held various prestigious positions in significant urological associations, contributing greatly to his field through numerous publications and presentations.

Richard E. Hawkins, MD, who serves as the President and CEO of ABMS, praised Dr. Thrasher's credentials, noting that his vast experience and meaningful commitment to medical professionalism make him ideally suited to guide the organization forward. Under his leadership, ABMS aims to tighten the standards of board certification while emphasizing excellence in medical practice.

Alongside Dr. Thrasher, Susan M. Ramin, MD, who has a background with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has been elected as Chair-Elect. Warren P. Newton, MD, MPH, the President and CEO of the American Board of Family Medicine, has taken up the role of Secretary-Treasurer.

Additionally, ABMS welcomed two new board members: Azra Ligon, PhD, FACMG, the CEO of the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and Furman McDonald, MD, MPH, the President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Their involvement is expected to enhance the board's expertise and reach as it navigates the evolving landscape of medical certification and patient care.

ABMS has a storied history that dates back to its establishment in 1933. The organization is tasked with developing certification standards for physicians in the U.S., ultimately aiming to improve the quality of healthcare across communities. The 24 ABMS Member Boards are responsible for creating the educational and professional benchmarks necessary for physician certification. Currently, more than 997,000 physicians are certified by one or more Boards in various specialties and subspecialties.

For further details about ABMS or its initiatives, visit their official website at abms.org.