drwes • 2 days ago

Kevin –

As you may know, I spent over two months investigating (see here: http://drwes.blogspot.com/2014… ) tax and public records for the past 12 years on the ABIM and their shadow organization, the ABIM Foundation. As a result of that investigation, it is my opinion that the system is so corrupt that it is beyond repair. Realize that Christine Cassel, MD – one of our own – earned over $7 million in her 10-year tenure at the ABIM while the ABIM’s revenues went from about -$10 million to -$43 million. Meanwhile for the 7 years ending 6/30/2008, the ABIM provided “grants” to their Foundation totaling $17,360,000. Since the ABIM earns 97% of its revenues from physicians, to the best of my knowledge, has occurred without diplomate’s knowledge. Furthermore, the Foundation purchased a $2.3 million luxury condominium complete with a chauffer-drive Mercedes S-Class town car in Dec 2007 – the same year they were “granted” $ 6 million from the ABIM.
I think it would be a disservice to our profession to “move on.” We need a full accounting of the ABIM and their Foundation’s co-mingling of funds. Until then, any argument supporting MOC as it currently stands cannot ethically be given legitimacy.

I guess I’d like to know with all of these complaints (this doesn’t look good for the ABIM), and recent JAMA articles showing no real evidence for the re-certification process leading to better care and doctors, is it likely the MOC will be revamped in a meaningful way ?
Thanks, Paul