Rheumatology Board Meeting Summary | Fall 2025
Chair, ABIM Rheumatology Board
The Rheumatology Board held its fall meeting on September 11, 2025. Representatives from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) joined for a portion of the meeting.*
The following is a summary report for 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
- Expanding ABIM’s Assessment and Research Division with the appointment of Eric J. Warm, MD, MACP, as the inaugural Vice President of Research Strategy, advancing collaboration and research to link certification with improved outcomes
- 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
In discussion, the group commended the clarity of the refreshed website and inquired about further planned enhancements such as specific resources with guidance and reminders. Dr. McDonald explained that the website will continue to evolve, adding that a redesigned Physician Portal was planned for launch in October. (The launch occurred following this meeting on October 21, 2025.)
There was also discussion about the impact of shifting federal policies. Dr. McDonald noted that ABIM cannot ignore changes that affect the organization’s core work on behalf of physicians. For instance, in September, ABIM submitted a letter to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security recommending preserving duration of status for physicians who hold a J-1 visa because the proposed changes to duration of status would have negative consequences on physician education and patient care.
Diplomate Professional Profile*
The Rheumatology 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.
Rheumatology Board members discussed how to leverage DPP data more effectively to highlight how subspecialists often operate across disease categories. Members agreed that refining the DPP in ways that capture these intersections could improve both assessment validity and public communication about the specialty. Based on a recommendation from a Specialty Board member about the potential of the DPP, the group also discussed sharing data with society partners to better understand trends in the field.
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, working to assure 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.
Society Collaboration*
Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, President of ACR, provided an update on the advocacy initiatives pursued by ACR in 2025 as well as their planned educational meetings for 2026. She discussed opportunities for how ACR could design content for future educational programming that could align with findings gained from ABIM assessments. Rheumatology Board members and guests also exchanged ideas about maintaining the integrity of high-stakes assessment while expanding avenues for use of retired questions to enhance knowledge. Steven Echard, CAE, Executive Vice President of ACR, highlighted that ABIM and ACR play complimentary roles in promoting high standards of care, with societies playing a key role in providing continued education for physicians.
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 principle. Currently, the amount of nutrition content in assessments varies across specialties.
Erica N. Johnson, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs, observed that while ABIM has historically focused on traditional biomedical knowledge, nutrition represents a growing area of importance with strong links to patient outcomes. Several Rheumatology Board members emphasized the need for improved physician understanding of both evidence-based dietary recommendations and the social determinants of health that affect patient choices.
Laura L. Sessums, JD, MD, Chief Medical Officer, stated that while ABIM should remain firmly committed to following the science, opportunities exist to recognize nutrition in assessments without diluting rigor. Members agreed that misinformation about diet and nutrition remains prevalent among patients, so rheumatologists must plan to address this issue effectively. The discussion concluded with a shared sense that ABIM could highlight nutrition more effectively if done carefully and grounded in evidence.
Society guests departed at this point in the meeting.
Standard-Setting for the Rheumatology LKA
Seohee Park, Ph.D., Psychometrician, and Bradley Brossman, Ph.D., Vice President of Psychometrics, presented the results of the standard-setting process for the Rheumatology LKA. They reviewed the methodology, including the use of expert panels and psychometric modeling, and explained the derivation of the recommended passing score. The Rheumatology Board approved the adoption of a passing score for the Rheumatology LKA.
Membership Recommendation to Council
The Rheumatology Board discussed the candidates who applied for open positions advertised in summer 2025, considering feedback from candidate interviews and the present and future composition of the Specialty Board. The Rheumatology Board voted to recommend candidates to the ABIM Council for the open seats beginning July 1, 2026. Final appointees will be announced next summer.
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*Indicates that society representatives were present for discussion on this agenda topic.
