Illinois Family Medicine Board Certification Attorney

Lawyer Helping Family Physicians Maintain and Reinstate ABFM Certification

For family doctors looking to advance in their careers, achieving certification from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is often a necessary step. Board certification signifies to patients that a doctor is highly qualified, and in some cases it is a prerequisite to securing hospital privileges and other professional benefits. However, it is not uncommon for doctors to face barriers or threats to their certification, especially in connection with past or pending disciplinary action.

If your ABFM certification is at risk, you would do well to hire an attorney who can help you protect it. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we defend doctors against allegations of misconduct under a variety of circumstances. With our assistance, you may be better able to maintain your board eligibility or board certification, or to have your certification reinstated after a suspension or revocation.

Legal Representation for a Variety of Family Doctors

As one of the largest member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Board of Family Medicine encompasses a wide range of physicians who provide care for patients of all ages. We represent general family practitioners, as well as those who focus on subspecialties including:

• Geriatric medicine
• Adolescent medicine
• Sports medicine
• Pain medicine
• Sleep medicine
• Hospice and palliative medicine

Obtaining and Maintaining ABFM Certification

Achieving and maintaining board certification is a time-intensive and expensive process. Before becoming certified, doctors must complete an accredited residency program, obtain a state license to practice, complete a variety of activities related to Self-Assessment, Performance Improvement, and Continuing Medical Education, and pass a certification examination. After obtaining certification, doctors must continue to successfully complete education and assessment activities at regular intervals in order to keep their certification active. Additional certifications in subspecialties like geriatric or sports medicine require further specialized training and education. Throughout this process, doctors must also stay in compliance with the board’s professionalism and conduct guidelines. In large part, this means maintaining an active, unrestricted state medical license.

Certification Defense and Reinstatement

A disciplinary investigation from your state licensing board or another administrative body like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could negate all of the time and energy you have invested in fulfilling the other requirements for board certification. With this in mind, you should act quickly to hire an attorney who can represent you throughout the investigation process, help you present evidence in your defense, and negotiate an outcome that minimizes the negative impact on your career. If we can prevent a suspension or revocation of your license, you will be better able to remain on track for certification or avoid having to go through the reinstatement process.

If your certification is suspended or revoked due to disciplinary action or other evidence of professional misconduct, the ABFM Credentials Committee will determine when you may be eligible to apply for reinstatement. In order to be reinstated, at minimum, you will need to have your state license reinstated without restrictions and complete the ABFM certification re-entry process. We can guide you through the steps required for reinstatement and help you prepare for any hearings with the ABFM that are necessary to review your case.

Contact Our ABFM Certification Attorney

Medical specialty board certification is an accomplishment well worth defending, and we are committed to helping you do so. If you believe that your license and certification are at risk, or if you are seeking to reinstate your certification after disciplinary action, contact us at 630-310-1267to request a free consultation. From our office in DuPage County, we represent doctors throughout Illinois.