Early test is no hindrance for Family Medicine residents

Story Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:27:00 EDT

Despite taking the American Board of Family Medicine Certification Exam three months prior to finishing their training, 100 percent of EVMS' graduating Family and Community Medicine residents passed the test. That stands in contrast to a national pass rate of 81 percent.

"While the Ghent program's pass rate on the Board exam has been nearly 100 percent for the last eight to 10 years, it's great that all six residents who took this exam before their completion of residency were successful," says Christine C. Matson, MD, Professor and Chair of Family and Community Medicine. "This is about the most highly motivated cohort of residents with whom I've ever worked."

The ABFM Board Certification Exam traditionally is held in July, after the completion of residency. But for 2012, the ABFM — of which Dr. Matson was recently elected Director — made the exam available in April.

The Family Community Medicine residents who passed the ABFM certification exam are: Kourosh Eshafi, MD; Masoumeh Kiamanesh, MD; Trey H. Leaven, MD; Sarkis Y. Malkhassian, MD; Elizabeth E. Villarico, MD; and Alisha Y. Young, MD (Combined Family and Internal Medicine residency).