ARMC Medical Director Marks 30 Years of Board Certification in Emergency Medicine

Richard T. Pitts, D.O., Ph.D., Medical Director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), a university affiliated teaching hospital, will be awarded a special certificate from the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) commemorating more than 30 years of board certification in Emergency Medicine. Because board certification is a voluntary process, this landmark reflects a dedication to the specialty of Emergency Medicine, the recognition of the value of board certification, the devotion to continuous learning, and the provision of quality care to all patients. To attain initial certification, this physician completed medical school as well as training in Emergency Medicine. This was followed by successful completion of a multiple choice examination that covers the breadth of Emergency Medicine, and a half-day oral examination. Certification is for a period of 10 years. To maintain certification, Dr. Pitts participated in a program of continuous learning in the field of Emergency Medicine. The ABEM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program consists of activities that help certified physicians stay current in medical research, provide opportunities for practice improvement, and support appropriate communication and professionalism with patients. In addition, physicians must also pass a high-stakes, clinically-focused, comprehensive examination. Dr. Pitts attended medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa, and completed his residency training at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan, in Los Angeles. His areas of academic research include physician performance and patient satisfaction. ABEM certifies emergency physicians who meet its education, professional standing, and examination standards. Its mission is to ensure the highest standards in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. There are currently over 30,000 ABEM-certified emergency physicians. ABEM is not a membership organization, but a non-profit, independent, evaluation organization. ABEM is one of 24 medical specialty certification boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.