Accreditation - The review of a Graduate Medical Education (GME) program by an independent organization (such as ACGME, AOA, RCPSC, CFPC) is called accreditation. When the GME program meets certain standards of education, the accrediting organization will certify (approve) the program.

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - An organization that reviews Graduate Medical Education Programs and certifies them if they meet certain educational standards. Programs that meet ACGME standards are "ACGME accredited"(certified).

American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS) - An organization of 24 medical specialty boards. Medical specialty boards can approve (certify) doctors who have had special training and taken an examination (see Board certification below). For more information, go to the ABMS Web site.

American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - The American Osteopathic Association represents more than 47,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.), promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools and health care facilities.

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Board Certification - If a doctor is Board Certified, this means that he or she had graduated from medical school; completed residency (training in a hospital); trained under supervision in a specialty, and passed an exam given by a medical specialty board.

Certify - To certify means to say something is true and correct. When a doctor is Board certified, it means he has met certain standards.

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College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) - A Canadian national organization of family doctors. Family doctors who are members of CFPC stay up to date in their specialty fields through continuing education given by CFPC.

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) - Someone who is specially educated and trained to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any human disease, pain, injury, or physical condition. Doctors of medicine licensed to practice in New York must have completed college, medical school, and some graduate medical education.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathic Physician (D.O.) - Someone who is specially educated and trained to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe for any human disease, pain, injury, or physical condition. Osteopathic Physicians are licensed for unlimited practice of medicine in New York and must have completed college, medical school, and graduate medical education as well as successfully passing a national licensing examination sequence. D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine, focus on preventive health care and receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system.

Dr.'s survey not received - Doctors who were sent a survey either did not receive or have not submitted a profile and notifications have been sent

Graduate Medical Education (GME) - The years of training in medicine that a doctor has after finishing four years of medical school. Graduate Medical Education is usually called "residency." This profile lists the place where each doctor did his or her residency (special training in a hospital or other health care institution). Doctors who are in a residency program are called "residents." The hospitals or other health care institutions where they train are called "sponsors."

Licensure - When a doctor has met the State's standards to practice medicine, and passed a licensing examination, he or she receives licensure. This means the doctor is licensed.

Malpractice - A professional mistake that is a direct cause of injury or harm to a patient. It may result from a lack of knowledge, experience, or skill that can be expected in others in the profession. It may also result from a failure to use reasonable care or judgment.

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Medical education - The medical training and education doctors must have before they can practice medicine. Doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy are required to complete four years of special schooling in medicine after college.

NYS Medical Licensure Requirements - State of New York standards (rules) of education, training, and residency that doctors must meet in order to practice medicine in the State.

None Reported - You will see this term throughout the Physician Profile. It means no information was self-reported by the physician or no information is discloseable or the information is not applicable.

Professional Membership - Professional Memberships are organizations which the physician may belong to which reflect the Physician's level of education, training and/or work experience. Such organizations, for purposes of disclosure on the doctor's profile, must meet minimum criteria such as being not-for-profit, having full-time administrative staff and providing professional services such as research, educational seminars, courses and/or forums.

Profile under development - Sections of the profile that indicate "Profile Under Development" denote either:
Survey has been received, but the survey is still in the review period. All sections will indicate "Profile Under Development"; or
Survey has not been received, and the time for a physician to submit a survey has not yet expired. Only certain information of the education section will be displayed, the remaining sections will indicate "Profile Under Development".

Refer to OPMC(Office of Professional Medical Conduct) - Physicians are non-compliant after repeated attempts to notify them to submit a profile. These physicians have been referred to the OPMC.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada(RCPSC) - A Canadian national, private, nonprofit organization that certifies Canadian doctors in their specialty fields.

Sponsor - A hospital or other health care institution that provides Graduate Medical Education for doctors.

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