Orthopedic surgeon Alan G. Greenwald, MD, of the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital recently achieved a remarkable 25 years of service provided as a valuable volunteer to the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS).
Dr. Greenwald served as an ABOS Oral Examiner, Oral Examination Case Selector, and Question Writer. Dr. Greenwald and several other leading surgeons from across the country collaborated to evaluate candidates hoping to obtain ABOS Board Certification. In addition, Dr. Greenwald wrote questions placed on the ABOS Web-Based Longitudinal Assessment.
“It has truly been an honor to serve as a member of ABOS for 25 years,” Dr. Greenwald shared. “Being nominated as a board member is an academic triumph. The work we do as a committee directly impacts the future of orthopedic surgery, and it means a lot to be part of this process.”
“We appreciate Dr. Greenwald taking time away from his practice to help the ABOS in this important endeavor,” said ABOS Executive Medical Director David F. Martin, MD. “We need subject matter experts like Dr. Greenwald to lend their expertise through knowledgeable evaluation.”
To achieve Board Certification from the ABOS, Dr. Greenwald first successfully completed a five-year residency program in orthopedic surgery which was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and then passed the rigorous ABOS Part I Examination, a comprehensive computer-based examination encompassing all facets of the field of orthopedic surgery.
Following that examination, Dr. Greenwald’s clinical competence was evaluated through a credentialing process and the ABOS Part II Oral Examination. After providing ABOS with a Case List of all surgeries performed over a six-month period, experienced surgeons selected 12 of these cases to comprise Dr. Greenwald’s Part II Oral Examination. Specific skills that are evaluated during that examination include data gathering and interpretive skills, diagnostic skills, treatment expertise, technical skills, patient outcomes, and applied orthopedic and medical knowledge.
After passing both the written and oral examinations, Dr. Greenwald achieved ABOS Board Certification in Orthopedic Surgery and is now considered a Diplomate of the ABOS. In order to maintain ABOS Board Certification, a Diplomate must pass a recertification examination, receive positive reviews from peers in their practice area, have a selected period of surgical cases evaluated, and participate in continuing medical education.
The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Inc. was founded in 1934 as a private, voluntary, nonprofit, independent organization to serve the best interests of the public and the medical profession. These interests are achieved through the ABOS by establishing standards for the education of orthopedic surgeons. These standards are evaluated by the ABOS through examinations and practice evaluations.
About the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital
In 1917, four visionary medical leaders opened a world-class comprehensive health care center, with an integrated team of specialists and a personal approach to wellness — far from an urban center. Today, the Great Falls Clinic provides diverse specialty medical clinics, urgent care clinics, primary care, cancer center, and highly specialized surgical services. The Great Falls Clinic and Hospital are committed to improving the health and wellness of our community by striving to provide the best healthcare possible.
As a provider-led organization, the Clinic is committed to recruiting the exemplary medical staff
members, harnessing the power of the latest medical technologies, continually striving for advancement, and above all, working as a team to meet the health needs of the 250,000 residents living in Central Montana.