Researching a doctor’s credentials is simple. People can contact their state medical board to verify that the doctor they are investigating is properly licensed and to learn more about his or her education and board certification, as well as the details of any disciplinary action. Anyone who has difficulty locating his or her state medical board can visit the Federation of State Medical Boards online for assistance. Contacting the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the best place to ensure a doctor’s certification and learn more about a doctor’s board certification in any specialty; for plastic surgeons, prospective patients can also reach out to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the ABMS’ member board for plastic surgery, for confirmation of a doctor’s credentials.
What credentials should patients really look for? “The only accredited board certifications patients truly need to look for are those from the ABMS,” says renowned Seattle-area plastic surgeon Dr. Shahram Salemy. “Not all board certifications are created equal. Earning board certification from a Board recognized by the ABMS is a very long, difficult process that’s designed to ensure that surgeons are truly ready to practice safely. Doctors must meet very strict and rigorous criteria, pass an exhaustive exam, possess top-rate credentials, have at least a minimum number of accredited residency cases, and present their own cases during a challenging oral exam.”
Consistently named “One of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” by the Consumer Research Council of America, Dr. Salemy is a graduate of Yale Medical School and an ABMS board-certified plastic surgeon. Dedicated to providing every patient he treats at his offices in Seattle and Richland, Washington, with excellent results, he combines personalized patient treatment plans with the latest techniques and technologies in cosmetic surgery.
To schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Salemy, call (206) 467-1101 or email the Seattle office.
