Philadelphia, PA, July 1, 2009 – Richard P. Shannon, MD, the Frank Wister Thomas Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been elected to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Board of Directors. ABIM sets the standards and certifies physicians practicing in internal medicine and its subspecialties who possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to provide high quality care.
The Board of Directors, composed of physicians who are board certified in internal medicine and one of its subspecialties, guides ABIM's overall mission and direction as it works to improve health care quality. All ABIM Directors participate in ABIM's Maintenance of Certification program, which promotes ongoing learning and in which doctors demonstrate their commitment to the Board's standards. Dr. Shannon is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Shannon, a pioneer in patient safety, currently serves as Chair of the Department of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Before joining the University of Pennsylvania in 2006, Dr. Shannon served as the Claude R. Joyner Professor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. Prior to that, he spent 14 years at Harvard Medical School, serving in a variety of capacities: Research Fellow, Instructor of Medicine, Assistant Professor of Medicine and finally Associate Professor of Medicine and The Francis Weld Peabody Fellow in Medicine.
“A cardiologist, internist, teacher, researcher and innovative thinker, Richard brings a variety of important skills and a unique perspective to the ABIM Board of Directors and his input will be invaluable to our efforts to improve health care quality,” said Christine K. Cassel, MD, ABIM's President and CEO.
His work in patient safety has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and ABC's 20/20, and he has served as a mentor for the IHI 100,000 Lives campaign and was a centerpiece for the PBS feature entitled “Remaking American Medicine.”
Dr. Shannon is a member of the (PA) Governor's Technical Advisory Group of the Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council. He has served as a consultant to the Delmarva Foundation, The Safest in America Consortium, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the New York City Business Group on Health and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Dr. Shannon graduated cum laude from Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
ABIM Board Certified Doctors Make a Difference
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.