Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board Meeting Summary | Fall 2025
The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board held its fall meeting on October 7, 2025. Representatives from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (APDEM) and the Endocrine Society joined for a portion of the meeting*.
The following is a summary of the fall meeting. Visit the ABIM Blog for reports of prior meetings.
ABIM Leadership Update*
Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH, President and CEO of ABIM and the ABIM Foundation, discussed progress on ABIM’s strategic initiatives, including:
- Enhancements to the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA®), such as the possibility of expanded eligibility, developing focused versions in some specialties that will launch in 2026 and exploring additional focused versions in other specialties for the future
- Advancing and expanding ABIM’s research strategy with the appointment of Eric J. Warm, MD, MACP, as the inaugural Vice President of Research Strategy
- Supporting early career physicians and international medical graduates (IMGs) with the needs-based certification exam fee assistance program and the competency-based medical education (CBME) special consideration pathway pilot for IMGs
- Recognizing board-certified physicians at key career milestones, such as attaining more than 30 years of certification, and an end-of-year wrap-up for LKA participants
- Advancing innovation in assessment through new technology and society collaboration
Christine Twining, MD, Chair of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board, inquired how ABIM plans to address the timing conflicts between certification cycles and training program completion. Dr. McDonald explained that policy teams are analyzing data to synchronize deadlines better and improve communication with program directors and physicians.
Specialty Board members commended the increased transparency in ABIM communications and encouraged continued engagement with society partners.
Diplomate Professional Profile*
The Specialty Board reviewed the status of ABIM’s Diplomate Professional Profile (DPP), a survey that ABIM Board Certified physicians are asked to complete every five years via the Physician Portal. Data gathered from the DPP will inform exam blueprint updates and help Specialty Boards understand what physicians are doing in practice.
ABIM staff asked for suggestions from the Specialty Board and society guests about modifications to the DPP that would add to the value of the information collected through completion of the survey. Dr. Twining emphasized that the DPP serves as a two-way exchange between ABIM and the physician community, ensuring that assessment content remains relevant. Specialty Board members suggested integrating questions about interprofessional collaboration and patient population diversity to enhance relevance and underscored the potential for DPP data to help predict workforce shortages and inform policy. Erica N. Johnson, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs, assured members that any reports generated from DPP data would be reported in the aggregate, and physician confidentiality is always protected that Specialty Board members discussed the inclusion of data such as clinical hours, patient contact time, continuing education participation and workforce planning metrics.
Health Equity Update*
ABIM remains firmly committed to advancing health equity, as reflected in a joint statement by the ABIM Board of Directors and the ABIM Foundation Board of Trustees dated June 2025. ABIM continues to work in the areas outlined in the Equity Statement: developing health equity content for assessments, ensuring that assessments are fair and conducting research to advance assessment strategies. ABIM also maintains collaborations with medical specialty societies working to advance health equity. During this session, staff highlighted both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in ABIM’s ongoing health equity efforts.
Update from Specialty Societies*
Society representatives shared updates on education and advocacy initiatives.
Matthew J. Levine, MD, President of APDEM, highlighted the importance of aligning fellowship training milestones with certification expectations.
Robert Lash, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the Endocrine Society, emphasized continued communication between societies and ABIM to ensure clarity in assessment standards. Diane Albertson, Director of Education Development for AACE, and Elizabeth Lepkowski, MA, MATD, Chief Learning Officer, provided updates on AACE’s evolving education portfolio, which includes online modules on obesity management.
Nutrition in Assessment*
The Specialty Board discussed the role of nutrition in patient care and assessment, emphasizing the importance of basing decisions to expand nutrition content in ABIM exams on sound scientific principles. Currently, the nutrition content in assessments varies across specialties.
Specialty Board members emphasized the challenges clinicians face in countering inaccurate claims about diets, supplements and weight-loss treatments and that limited insurance coverage for nutritionists remains a systemic barrier to care. Dr. Twining remarked that endocrinologists remain uniquely positioned to lead on this issue given their focus on diabetes, metabolism and chronic disease management.
CBME Special Consideration Pilot for IMGs*
Dr. Johnson provided an update on the CBME pilot pathway for exceptionally qualified IMGs, which formally launched this fall, with communications directed toward residency and fellowship program directors to inform eligible candidates.
The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board members expressed enthusiasm about the pathway’s potential to diversify the physician workforce and address geographic shortages. When asked whether candidates would be eligible for both internal medicine and subspecialty exams, Dr. Johnson clarified that applicants must first complete internal medicine certification before proceeding to subspecialty certification.
Society representatives departed at this point in the meeting.
Candidates for the 2026 Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board
ABIM issued a notice in June about an opening for a physician member on the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board for a term beginning July 1, 2026. Specialty Board members review applications and interview candidates, and at the fall meeting, voted on two to recommend to the ABIM Council, which makes the final appointments. ABIM expects to announce appointees in July 2026.
AI Innovations
ABIM’s Emerging Technologies team shared an overview of ongoing initiatives to improve efficiency, enhance assessment and create the next generation of evaluation tools. The team provided more detail on key initiatives: operational innovations, individualized learning pathway generators, and competency model mapping. In discussion, the Specialty Board asked about the role of consent in data use, integration of AI-driven tools into assessments, and the balance between innovation and physician workload. The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board expressed interest in future updates on the incorporation of AI applications into the assessment of competencies other than knowledge, for example, communication skills and professionalism.
Engaging with Early Career Physicians
Staff provided an update on ABIM’s early career physician engagement efforts, noting that more than 115 early career physicians have participated in summits and convenings over the past year.
The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Board members discussed opportunities for ABIM to increase visibility at professional meetings such as AACE 2026 and Academic Internal Medicine Week, particularly during trainee-focused sessions. Several members underscored the value of early, clear communication about Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements, noting that early career physicians often express uncertainty during the transition from training to practice. Others commended ABIM’s updated website for improving user experience and access to MOC information.
Learn More
Subscribe to the ABIM Blog to stay on top of the latest news.
Apply to openings on ABIM Governance and the Item-Writing Task Forces and be part of shaping the future of ABIM’s assessments. Join the Community Insights Network to share feedback with ABIM through focus groups, surveys, user testing and more as we develop and refine our programs together.
*Indicates that society representatives were present for discussion on this agenda topic.
