American Board of Medical Specialties Research and Education Foundation (REF)

The ABMS Research and Education Foundation (REF) is a not-for-profit organization that supports the ABMS mission of improving health care quality and the continuous professional development of physician specialists through a variety of research and education initiatives. Through collaborative partnerships with the ABMS Associate Member organizations, academic health centers, universities, hospitals and health systems, and other health care organizations, the REF focuses on developing and promoting research on the ABMS Program for Maintenance of Certification (ABMS MOC®). Committed to Quality Health Care Delivery Through Research and Education Excellence Founded in 1971, the REF actively builds collaborative partnerships with academic health centers, universities, hospitals, and health systems and other health care organizations to develop and promote research programs on MOC. The REF initiatives are centered on three key strategies: Conducting and facilitating education initiatives for improving physician performance, protecting patient safety and setting higher standards to achieve improved health care Guiding, facilitating and collaborating in research concerning certification and MOC from a national and international perspective Developing relationships and securing funding to expand key activities for accomplishing its mission