Rheumatology Board Meeting Summary | Spring 2026

June 16, 2026 | Posted by ABIM | Specialty Board Meeting Summaries

*Salahuddin Kazi, MD, Chair, ABIM Rheumatology Board*

The Rheumatology Board held its spring meeting on March 24, 2026. Representatives from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) joined for a portion of the meeting.*

ABIM and the Rheumatology Board gratefully acknowledge the service of Salahuddin Kazi, MD, and Mary C. Wasko, MD, MSc, whose terms end June 30, 2026. Dr. Kazi first joined the Rheumatology Board as a member in 2014 and has served as chair since 2020. Dr. Wasko has served since 2020 and previously served on the Rheumatology Board Exam Committee.

The following is a summary report for the spring 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:

Customized learning plans via partnership with the American College of Physicians (ACP) that launched in February. A new feature in ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) allows subscribers to import their most recent ABIM internal medicine assessment results directly into their account, which will suggest learning tools to build a tailored plan.
Enhancing early career physician engagement through an interactive online community platform, tailored resources for residency programs and the creation of an Early Career Committee, which will begin meeting in July.
Progress of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) Pilot Special Consideration Pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs), which has received more than 160 applicants to date. ABIM is using the pilot to test a model for board eligibility using a CBME framework, while removing barriers for physicians who meet the same standards as peers who completed accredited internal medicine training.
The recently expanded blueprint review process, which involves a schedule of plans for updating blueprints in every specialty over the next several years. Practicing physicians in each specialty will continue to be invited to participate in updating each blueprint to reflect current practice.
Recent communications about the importance of exam integrity and, in particular, the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA®).

In discussion, the Rheumatology Board noted the increasing proportion of physicians choosing the LKA over the traditional, 10-year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam. The group also discussed how ABIM communicates about the appropriate use of AI on assessments, advocating for clear guidelines.

Developing a Quality Agenda in Rheumatology*

As a next step in the development of a discipline-specific Quality Agenda, Rheumatology Board members engaged in breakout discussions to further refine the aims, drivers and relevant society strategies agreed upon by the Rheumatology Board and specialty society partners. The Quality Agenda is one of the standards for continuing certification issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for all Member Boards in 2021. This standard requires that Member Boards “facilitate the process for developing an agenda for improving the quality of care in their specialties.” (ABMS Standards for Continuing Certification, p. 15: Requirements for Member Boards, 18. Quality Agenda.)

The group discussed priorities for the Rheumatology Quality Agenda, including health equity, access to care, interdisciplinary collaboration, support for primary care physicians, telehealth, AI and rural care challenges. Several members emphasized the need to enhance psychosocial care for rheumatology patients through improved screening and understanding of insurance impacts. They also discussed the need to address clinician burnout and optimize AI use in patient assessment. The Quality Agenda was revised to reflect these changes and shared with the Specialty Board for approval prior to submitting it to ABMS in June. The Specialty Board will revisit and update the Quality Agenda, as appropriate, on an annual basis.

Review the complete Rheumatology Quality Agenda.

Physicians Engaging in Improving Health and Health Care*

ABMS Standard 19 (ABMS Standards for Continuing Certification, p. 16) focuses on increasing the proportion of physicians engaged in improving health and health care, including quality improvement and patient safety. It requires ongoing reporting, increased participation and collaboration to ease engagement and reporting burdens. ABIM is not reintroducing a requirement for individual diplomates to participate in quality improvement activities. Instead, ABIM will look to increase engagement in and recognition of quality improvement activities through existing pathways. In addition, ABIM will develop and implement new opportunities to recognize and reward diplomate engagement in quality improvement under the expanded definition.

Rheumatology Board members discussed the need for clearer definitions and frameworks for quality improvement engagement. They agreed to gather feedback on potential definitions and reportable activities through a post-meeting survey. Members also discussed coordination regarding physicians involved in ACR’s RISE registry for quality improvement, including potentially offering MOC points for participation.

Update from the American College of Rheumatology*

Steven Echard, IOM, CAE, Executive Vice President, and Dawn McEvoy, CAE, CMP, DES, Vice President, Education, shared updates on interprofessional education and collaboration opportunities. Specialty Board members discussed the new RISE platform to enhance data utilization in rheumatology practices and ACR’s plans to conduct an annual needs assessment to inform planning of education programs.

Oversight of Training in Rheumatology*

Erica N. Johnson, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs, and Michael Melfe, Director, Academic Affairs, presented data from rheumatology training programs, including certification requirements, program match data and outcomes for the faculty pathway and competency-based medical education pilot pathway. Rheumatology Board members discussed gaps in tracking candidates and evolving training pathways.

Oversight of Rheumatology Assessments*

A large part of the purview of the Rheumatology Board is its oversight of assessment. Each year, the Specialty Board examines data from recent LKA, initial certification and MOC activities within the discipline. Members received population-level information, assessment updates and performance data to support informed decision-making and future assessment strategies.

Ultimate pass rates for rheumatology exams remain high, with 99% on initial certification and 96.7% on the traditional, 10-year MOC exam. Specialty Board members requested that staff psychometricians review the age breakdown of test takers and consider including comparisons of rheumatology with other specialties in future presentations on new U.S. graduates. The Specialty Board also said it plans to investigate further why 7% of LKA participants are not meeting the LKA Participation Requirement as data become available.

The Specialty Board reviewed demographic data showing a higher proportion of women in the initial certification and LKA populations compared to men, and a downward trend in physicians from U.S. or Canadian medical schools. Rheumatology Board members noted that the LKA has a higher proportion of white physicians enrolled than the traditional, 10-year MOC exam.

Society representatives departed at this point in the meeting.

Candidates for the Rheumatology Approval Committees

Specialty Boards are responsible for selecting incoming members and chairs of the Approval Committees in advance of new terms that begin in July of each year and as seats become vacant for other reasons. Following a review of the candidate materials and a candidate interview, the Specialty Board appointed a new chair of the Rheumatology Traditional, 10-Year MOC Exam Approval Committee. ABIM will announce all final governance appointees in July 2026 when their terms begin.

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*Indicates that society representatives were present for discussion of this agenda topic.