What do “Board Certified” and “Board Eligible” mean?
Many doctors, after successful completion of medical school, choose to pursue an internship and/or residency in a specialty area of practice. In our case, all of our physicians chose to complete a four-year program at St. John’s Mercy Medical center in Obstetrics & Gynecology. At the end of an Ob/Gyn residency, and again during their third year of practice, these doctors are eligible to take a series of exams given by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This Board is the body in the U.S. which sets the standard for education, competency and continuing education of Ob/Gyn physicians on a national level. Upon passing both oral and written exams the Board can designate an Ob/Gyn physician as “Board Certified”. Since an Ob/Gyn is not permitted to take the last series of exams until his or her third year in practice, those who have successfully completed a residency and have passed all but the final series of exams are designated as “Board Eligible”.
