Over the course of a distinguished career spanning almost five decades, Sandeep Dhand, MD, built a life in pulmonary disease, critical care and sleep medicine shaped by mentorship, adaptation and service. His career evolved alongside major changes in both his specialty and the broader healthcare landscape, including the ongoing role of certification and Maintenance of Certification. In celebration of 90 years of serving the profession, ABIM invited Dr. Dhand to talk about his storied career and how medicine has changed.

What made you choose pulmonology?
My decision was strongly influenced by a mentor—an outstanding allergist whom I greatly admired. At the same time, I felt asthma and allergy alone were too narrow for my interests. The pulmonary department where I trained was progressive and intellectually stimulating, with critical care as an integral component. At that time, critical care was not yet a separate specialty, so pulmonologists were naturally involved in ICU work. That breadth, combined with mentorship, drew me to the field.

What has changed most dramatically over the years?
Pulmonology has expanded enormously. Early in my career, conditions such as pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease were poorly understood; today they are areas of advanced research with targeted therapies. Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management have markedly improved, and lung transplantation has advanced significantly.

The field has also become highly subspecialized, with areas such as interventional pulmonology, thoracic oncology, pleural disease and pulmonary embolism response teams. Many procedures once performed by general pulmonologists are now handled by dedicated specialists.

Sleep medicine emerged as a major development in the 1990s. I became board certified as sleep-related breathing disorders gained recognition, which allowed me to transition later in my career from intensive care to a more office-based, sleep-focused practice.

Beyond clinical advances, the structure of medicine has shifted. Private practice has largely given way to corporate and employer-based models, academic centers have expanded and technology—patient portals, virtual platforms —has reshaped daily practice.

Overall, medicine is now more complex, specialized, research-driven and increasingly AI-driven. Remote learning and rapid online access to medical literature have been a boon to practicing physicians.

How has ABIM supported you through these changes?
Board certification has been an important benchmark of competence. Maintenance of Certification—whether through periodic 10-year exams or the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment—helps ensure physicians remain current in a rapidly evolving field, ultimately benefiting patients.

While the process can be demanding, it reinforces professional standards and ongoing learning. Without it, many physicians might not stay up to date. ABIM thus plays a vital role in maintaining quality.

That said, the cost of multiple certifications can be onerous, and continued attention to affordability and continuous recognition of prior—even though inactive—certifications would be welcome. Overall, however, ABIM has supported scholarship, continuing education and accountability in our profession.