Association of American Medical Colleges Recognizes Past Presidents of the American Board of Internal Medicine and their Contributions to Medical Education and Professionalism

PHILADELPHIA, PA – John A. Benson Jr., MD and Harry R. Kimball, MD, former presidents of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) were recognized last week by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) at their annual meeting in Washington, DC. The two physician leaders were named as recipients of the 2010 Abraham Flexner Award for Distinguished Service to Medical Education.

Recognizing Dr. Benson, the first president of ABIM who served from 1975 – 1991, the AAMC highlighted "his extraordinary contributions to the board certification process, medical education, and academic medicine" and has "proven his dedication to the vision of Abraham Flexner."

Dr. Kimball, ABIM president from 1991 – 2003, was recognized in part for his role, through the ABIM Foundation, in conceiving and initiating efforts to create Medical Professionalism in the New Millennium: A Physician Charter. AAMC noted that "just as Abraham Flexner is known for strengthening the integrity of medical schools, Harry R. Kimball, M.D., is known for strengthening the integrity of medical professionals."

According to the AAMC website, "The Abraham Flexner Award for Distinguished Service to Medical Education is awarded annually to an individual for extraordinary contributions to the medical education community. The award was first presented by the Association in 1958 and is the AAMC's most prestigious honor. The Flexner Award recognizes the highest standards in medical education and honors individuals whose impact on medical education is national in scope."

"Dr. Benson and Dr. Kimball in their roles as former leaders of the American Board of Internal Medicine have helped define what it is to be a good doctor in the modern era," said Christine Cassel, MD, President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine and ABIM Foundation. "Through their leadership, vision and commitment to professionalism they have contributed to enormous and groundbreaking change in American medicine. I can not think of two people more deserving of this award from the Association of American Medical Colleges."

Dr. Kimball currently serves as senior advisor to the Dean at the University of Washington School Of Medicine. Dr. Benson is dean emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University and professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Medicine.

About ABIM

For more than 70 years, Certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has stood for the highest standard in internal medicine and its 19 subspecialties and has meant that internists have demonstrated – to their peers and to the public – that they have the clinical judgment, skills and attitudes essential for the delivery of excellent patient care. ABIM is not a membership society, but a non-profit, independent evaluation organization. Our accountability is both to the profession of medicine and to the public. ABIM is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. For additional updates, follow ABIM on Facebook.