When did the ABS start issuing certificates in vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care and surgery of the hand?
A. Vascular surgery – 1982; pediatric surgery – 1974; surgical critical care – 1986; surgery of the hand – 1989. For vascular surgery, the ABS initially offered a Certificate of Special Qualifications in 1982 and a Certificate of Added Qualifications in 1988. The Special Qualifications (practice) pathway was closed to new applicants in 1989; both certificates were issued through 1998. In 1998, the designations of “Added” and “Special” Qualifications were dropped and all certificates were designated as “Certification in Vascular Surgery.” Vascular surgery became a primary specialty in 2006.
