September 12, 2018

ABA Commissions Physician Users’ Group to Guide Portal Redesign & New App

Initiative Marks the Launch of MOCA 3.0 Development

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 12, 2018)  The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) has commissioned 17 diplomates to help guide the redesign of our Physician’s Portal and the development of a new ABA mobile application that will provide our diplomates with a personalized, seamless digital experience. This initiative is part of a broader vision to further transform the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology™ (MOCA®) program and add greater value to diplomates’ practice.

“Our goal in creating this users’ group is to place diplomates at the center of our portal redesign and development efforts,” said Deborah J. Culley, M.D., secretary of the Board. “This group will lead us into the next iteration of the MOCA program – MOCA 3.0 – as we continue to make it more relevant, customizable and convenient to foster continuous learning.”

The users’ group is making recommendations on features for an ABA mobile app, and reviewing preliminary portal and app designs and functionality. They are also helping vision MOCA 3.0 – an interactive, diplomate-centered continuing certification program that will incorporate micro- and adaptive learning and offer credit for physician participation in on-the-job learning. Redesigning the portal and developing the app are both part of Phase 1 in a phased development approach the Board expects will span the next few years.

ABA Director Rupa Dainer, M.D., is leading the group, which consists of volunteer physicians from nine states who are registered and actively participating in MOCA 2.0®. Members include:

Syed Ali, M.D. (Kentucky)
Anna M. Allred, M.D. (Texas)
Aditee Ambardekar, M.D. (Texas)
Amanda Brown, M.D. (Pennsylvania)
Christopher Cornelissen, D.O. (California)
Deborah J. Culley, M.D. (Massachusetts)  
Amanda Frantz, M.D. (Florida)
John George, M.D. (Ohio)
Curtis Koons, M.D. (Kentucky)
Joshua Lumbley, M.D. (Ohio)
Christine Nguyen-Buckley, M.D. (California)
Shawn Palmieri, M.D. (Pennsylvania)
John Patton, M.D. (California)  
Elisha Peterson, M.D. (Texas)  
Meredith Shepherd, M.D. (Indiana)
Roshni Sreedharan, M.D. (Ohio)  
Travis Teetor, M.D. (Nebraska)   
Tin Tran, M.D. (Nebraska)  

Recent diplomate focus groups, portal user experience surveys, and MOCA 2.0 end-of- year survey results will also inform these technical projects and future phases of the MOCA 3.0 development. The new portal and mobile application are expected to launch next summer.

About the American Board of Anesthesiology®
Our mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. As the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, we partner with physicians to elevate practice standards and foster exceptional patient care. We administer primary and subspecialty certification exams as well as the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology™ (MOCA®) program, which is designed to promote lifelong learning, a commitment to quality clinical outcomes and patient safety. Based in Raleigh, N.C., we are a nonprofit organization and a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).