DCH News
Healthcare Professionals
In pursuit of excellence, Driscoll residents far outpace total pass rate for American Board of Pediatrics certification
December 20, 2012
CORPUS CHRISTI - Driscoll Children's Hospital is proud to announce that all of its graduating residents who took the latest American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) certification exam in general pediatrics passed on their first attempt, continuing a trend that surpasses the total annual pass rate. Certification through the exam, administered once a year in October, has one objective - to promote excellence in medical care for children and adolescents.
"ABP certification provides a standard of excellence by which the public can select pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists," according to the ABP. "Although certification is voluntary, nearly all qualified pediatricians seek this recognition."
The ABP certification pass rate for pediatric residents at Driscoll Children's Hospital for the past three years has been 98 percent, ranking them in the top 5 percent of the more than 200 pediatric residency programs in the country, said William Dirksen, MD, Driscoll chief of staff. In contrast, the total pass rate for candidates taking the ABP general pediatrics exam in 2009, 2010 and 2011 was 79.1 percent, 76.1 percent and 75.7 percent, respectively, according to the ABP.
The ABP certification exam is a one-day test given to physicians who have finished three years of pediatric residency training. Physicians must have a valid, unrestricted, permanent medical license to be eligible to sit for the test. Certification is valid for seven years after which physicians must recertify by taking the ABP's Program for Maintenance of Certification in Pediatrics recertification exam.
Here are some additional facts from the ABP:
The ABP has certified 77,328 diplomates in general pediatrics and 14,707 in pediatric subspecialties.
Among the pediatricians who take the ABP test, 66 percent go into general pediatric practice and 24 percent go into pediatric subspecialties.
An average of 3,007 pediatricians take the ABP exam every year. Of these, American medical graduates accounted for 82.5 percent and international medical graduates accounted for 17.5 percent. Gender-wise, 40 percent were males and 60 percent were females.
The total number of pediatric residents currently in training programs in the United States is 9,731.
The average age at the time of ABP certification for pediatricians is 32 years for American medical graduates and about 36 years for international medical graduates.
The success of Driscoll's residency program can be attributed largely to the hospital's governing board, administration, faculty and staff, all of whom are dedicated to fostering excellent pediatricians.
"I have been blessed to have the necessary support to create an environment where aspiring physicians can be trained to become the best pediatricians in the world," Dr. Dirksen said. "Driscoll faculty has been outstanding in their commitment to the teaching and mentoring of our residents."
"ABP certification provides a standard of excellence by which the public can select pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists," according to the ABP. "Although certification is voluntary, nearly all qualified pediatricians seek this recognition."
The ABP certification pass rate for pediatric residents at Driscoll Children's Hospital for the past three years has been 98 percent, ranking them in the top 5 percent of the more than 200 pediatric residency programs in the country, said William Dirksen, MD, Driscoll chief of staff. In contrast, the total pass rate for candidates taking the ABP general pediatrics exam in 2009, 2010 and 2011 was 79.1 percent, 76.1 percent and 75.7 percent, respectively, according to the ABP.
The ABP certification exam is a one-day test given to physicians who have finished three years of pediatric residency training. Physicians must have a valid, unrestricted, permanent medical license to be eligible to sit for the test. Certification is valid for seven years after which physicians must recertify by taking the ABP's Program for Maintenance of Certification in Pediatrics recertification exam.
Here are some additional facts from the ABP:
The ABP has certified 77,328 diplomates in general pediatrics and 14,707 in pediatric subspecialties.
Among the pediatricians who take the ABP test, 66 percent go into general pediatric practice and 24 percent go into pediatric subspecialties.
An average of 3,007 pediatricians take the ABP exam every year. Of these, American medical graduates accounted for 82.5 percent and international medical graduates accounted for 17.5 percent. Gender-wise, 40 percent were males and 60 percent were females.
The total number of pediatric residents currently in training programs in the United States is 9,731.
The average age at the time of ABP certification for pediatricians is 32 years for American medical graduates and about 36 years for international medical graduates.
The success of Driscoll's residency program can be attributed largely to the hospital's governing board, administration, faculty and staff, all of whom are dedicated to fostering excellent pediatricians.
"I have been blessed to have the necessary support to create an environment where aspiring physicians can be trained to become the best pediatricians in the world," Dr. Dirksen said. "Driscoll faculty has been outstanding in their commitment to the teaching and mentoring of our residents."
Mendoza joins Driscoll as Emergency Department manager
December 13, 2012
Mendoza
Phillips is Driscoll's newest cardiologist
December 04, 2012
Phillips
Pulley joins Driscoll as director of Risk Management & Patient Safety Officer
November 26, 2012
Pulley
Balbosa joins Driscoll as pediatric otolaryngologist
November 19, 2012
Balbosa
Dr. Balbosa earned her medical degree in 2006 at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, NY and a bachelor's degree in biology in 2001 at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
National Vaccine Program official to speak at Driscoll Children's Hospital
November 14, 2012
CORPUS CHRISTI - On Friday, Nov. 16, one of the nation's principle spokespersons on vaccines and immunizations will visit Driscoll Children's Hospital for a grand rounds lecture in the auditorium. Bruce Gellin, MD, deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the National Vaccine Program Office at the US Department of Health and Human Services, is the principle technical, strategic and policy advisor to the assistant secretary for health on all aspects of the National Vaccine Program.
His visit is timely considering recent trends in infectious diseases in South Texas, said Jaime Fergie, MD, director of Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children's Hospital.
"Dr. Gellin's information will be most interesting to health professionals who want to understand how vaccine recommendations are made and approved and how the multiple components of the national immunization process take place. He will give us insight into the National Vaccine Program from the federal government perspective that is valuable to many physicians in the area."
Having been in his position since 2002, Dr. Gellin communicates medical and scientific information to inform the public, congress and the media in addition to scientific and public health audiences. In 2009, "60 Minutes" featured him in a segment to explain the process of influenza vaccine development and testing and how the H1N1 vaccine's safety was being monitored. Dr. Gellin played a leadership role in the US government's response to the H1N1 pandemic that year. And in 2010, he updated the National Vaccine Plan, the nation's roadmap for a 21st century vaccine and immunization enterprise.
What: Dr. Bruce Gellin grand rounds lecture
When: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16
Where: Driscoll Children's Hospital auditorium, 3533 S. Alameda St.
His visit is timely considering recent trends in infectious diseases in South Texas, said Jaime Fergie, MD, director of Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children's Hospital.
"Dr. Gellin's information will be most interesting to health professionals who want to understand how vaccine recommendations are made and approved and how the multiple components of the national immunization process take place. He will give us insight into the National Vaccine Program from the federal government perspective that is valuable to many physicians in the area."
Having been in his position since 2002, Dr. Gellin communicates medical and scientific information to inform the public, congress and the media in addition to scientific and public health audiences. In 2009, "60 Minutes" featured him in a segment to explain the process of influenza vaccine development and testing and how the H1N1 vaccine's safety was being monitored. Dr. Gellin played a leadership role in the US government's response to the H1N1 pandemic that year. And in 2010, he updated the National Vaccine Plan, the nation's roadmap for a 21st century vaccine and immunization enterprise.
What: Dr. Bruce Gellin grand rounds lecture
When: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16
Where: Driscoll Children's Hospital auditorium, 3533 S. Alameda St.
Fallwell is Driscoll's new director of Infection Prevention
October 18, 2012
Fallwell
Hopkins shares facial reconstruction knowledge at conference
October 17, 2012
Hopkins
Huynh brings sports medicine expertise to Driscoll
September 26, 2012
Huynh
Dr. Huynh will diagnose and treat musculoskeletal sports injuries and offer advice on injury prevention to athletes, coaches, trainers and sports teams. She will work closely with Driscoll's physical therapists and athletic trainer to develop rehabilitation plans and exercise regimes that are specific to each patient and their injury.
Almond named president-elect of Transplantation Society
September 21, 2012
Almond