Local doctor recertified

The American Board of Family Medicine has announced the successful completion of its recertification examination by Dr. Richard C. Cutchin. Board certification confers a standard of excellence in knowledge and practice to physicians who not only certify via the examination process, but who also work diligently on the maintenance of these skills during the seven-year cycle between examinations.

To achieve recertification by the ABFM, a family physician must verify the completion of 300 hours of acceptable continuing medical education over the past six years; possess a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States; and successfully complete a oneday written examination of cognitive knowledge and problem-solving abilities. This examination covers the disciplines of the specialty including, but not limited to, adult medicine; care of newborns, infants, children and adolescents; maternity and gynecological care; community medicine; care of the older patient; human behavior and mental health; and care of the surgical patient.

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), one of 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialists, is the second largest medical specialty board in the Unite States. Founded in 1969, it is a voluntary, not-for-profit, private organization whose purposes include improving the quality of medical care available to the public; establishing and maintaining standards of excellence in the specialty of family medicine; improving the standards of medical education for training in family medicine; and determining by evaluation the fitness of specialist in family medicine who apply for and hold certificates.