Reflections from a Recent Derm Graduate Who Took Both the AOBD and ABD Applied Exams
The applied exam marks the culmination of years of training for most derm residents. Obtaining board certification signifies to patients that one is an expert in the field of dermatology and is more than capable of providing care independently. Although the overwhelming majority of residents pass, it’s difficult not to let your guard down while preparing. The stakes are simply too high not to gi …
The applied exam marks the culmination of years of training for most derm residents. Obtaining board certification signifies to patients that one is an expert in the field of dermatology and is more than capable of providing care independently. Although the overwhelming majority of residents pass, it’s difficult not to let your guard down while preparing. The stakes are simply too high not to gi … 
As a recently “Board-certified” dermatologist, I would like to think that this distinction matters – not only for me but for my patients. I would hope that becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) is more than a title. But honestly, I’m not sure it is.
Breaking Down the Board’s Purpose
The ABD exists “to serve the public by setting high standards for dermatolog … 
As a recent dermatology residency graduate and newly board-certified dermatologist, I've had a chance over the past few weeks to reflect on the twists and turns of the journey I've been on over the last 11 years. From medical school to residency, and now in private practice, the exams we've all faced along the way and the memories they elicit seem to stand front and center. This is my story.
The …