Philadelphia, March 9, 2017 — The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is concerned that the executive order, announced this week and effective on March 16, will disrupt physicians and care for patients.
Though the latest executive order excludes Iraq and allows travel to the U.S. for those with green cards and valid visas, it could ultimately delay or prohibit physicians, residents and patients from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Libya from entering the U.S. for education and life-saving care. Proposed travel restrictions have already caused anxiety, fear and uncertainty for many in the medical community.
ABIM recognizes that the timing of these travel restrictions—which start one day prior to Match Day 2017—could impact program directors and residents. They could also impact physicians registering for ABIM fall certification exams.
ABIM will continue working to accommodate these physicians, including waiving the international test center fee for those physicians caught outside of the U.S. as a result of the executive order.
ABIM welcomes impacted physicians to contact us at 1-800-441-2246 or email request@abim.org.
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Internists and subspecialists who earn and maintain board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) differentiate themselves every day through their specialized knowledge and commitment to continual learning in service of their patients. Established as an independent nonprofit more than 80 years ago, ABIM continues to be driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. Visit ABIM's blog to learn more and follow ABIM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ABIM is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.