Erin Ramelb, MD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Hospital Medicine, has been named to the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Internal Medicine Board for a three-year term.
Dr. Ramelb, whose term began July 1, said she is excited to provide an early-career physician’s perspective as a member of the board, which is responsible for the broad definition of the discipline across certification and maintenance of certification, as well as ensuring the credential speaks to the evolving needs of the discipline
“I’m excited about collaborating with a diverse group of practicing internists and patient advocates from different backgrounds and across the country to work on the ABIM’s mission of enhancing quality of health care,” she said. “But also, I look forward to communicating with my colleagues at UNMC and locally – about what ABIM is working on but also to get their input and perspective.”
Early-career physicians such as herself, Dr. Ramelb said, don’t often have a lot of communication with ABIM between their initial certification and when it is time to re-certify a decade later. She hopes to work not only on improving communications, but also help to explore new avenues and activities to help physicians maintain certification.
Dr. Ramelb said Chad Vokoun, MD, division chief of hospital medicine, and Debra Romberger, MD, chair of the department of internal medicine, have been supportive as she begins her three-year term.
“We are excited about Dr. Ramelb’s appointment,” Dr. Romberger said. “As an excellent clinician-educator, she will bring many talents to the board and represent UNMC well.”
“Dr. Ramelb has quickly established herself as an innovative and highly effective educator,” Dr. Vokoun added. “She will be an incredible asset to the ABIM, and our division is thrilled for her.”
Richard Baron, MD, president and CEO of ABIM, said the role of ABIM’s governance is critical in helping ABIM provide the best options for medical professionals to keep their knowledge current, as well as for patients to know that they are receiving care from a physician who is keeping up with the latest developments in medicine
“I am grateful for the work governance does to ensure ABIM meets the needs of busy physicians, while maintaining the value and importance of certification,” Dr. Baron said.
The ABIM Specialty Boards are composed of six-to-eight physician members certified in the discipline and one-to-two non-physician experts.
Dr. Ramelb teaches within all phases of the UNMC College of Medicine curriculum, serving as a course director for problem-based learning, the internal medicine observed structured clinical examination coordinator and a course director for the problem-based learning case-writing senior elective.
She also serves as a member of the curriculum committee and the observed structured clinical examination grading leadership team.