June 24, 2020

FAER and ABA Announce Winner of Research in Education Grant

Raleigh, N.C. (June 24, 2020) 

– The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) have selected Julie Huffmyer, M.D., as the recipient of the FAER-ABA Research in Education Grant. The co-sponsored grant is designed to advance the careers and knowledge of anesthesiologists interested in the key elements of education in anesthesiology—curriculum, instruction and assessment. Dr. Huffmyer will use the $100,000 award to explore the association between continuing medical education for anesthesiologists via MOCA Minute and clinical performance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two-year grant period will begin in 2021.

“Funding Dr. Huffmyer’s research supports our commitment to developing a continuing certification program that provides anesthesiologists with actionable feedback and opportunities for improvement,” said David O. Warner, M.D., ABA secretary.

Dr. Huffmyer, an associate professor at the University of Virginia, will focus her research on the link between anesthesiologists’ responses to quarterly MOCA Minute questions and clinical performance through use of the Anesthesiology Performance Improvement and Reporting Exchange (ASPIRE) metrics. By identifying which MOCA Minute items are most strongly associated with clinical performance ASPIRE metrics, Dr. Huffmyer hypothesizes it may be possible to provide targeted MOCA Minute question administration to anesthesiologists to improve clinical practice of ABA diplomates.

The FAER-ABA Research in Education Grant is a $100,000 award distributed over two years to one faculty researcher of any rank. The grant requires that 40 percent of the faculty member’s time be dedicated to the proposed research.  

“FAER is pleased to join with the American Board of Anesthesiology to award Dr. Huffmyer the second co-sponsored FAER-ABA Research in Education Grant,” said James Eisenach, M.D., FAER President and CEO. “This partnership between our organizations aids FAER in our mission to develop the next generation of physician-scientists in anesthesiology. Together, we are able to strengthen our support for investigators like Dr. Huffmyer in their pursuit of research impactful to education in anesthesiology.”

Applicants were asked to submit abstracts for prospective hypothesis-driven research projects that evaluated the value of initial certification and the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology®  (MOCA®) program to clinicians and the public, or the validity and impact of the ABA’s new initial certification program – the staged examination system (BASIC, ADVANCED, and APPLIED Examinations).

This is the second time the FAER/ABA Research in Education Grant has been awarded since its inception.

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 work 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).

ABA Media Contact:    

Michele Pore

(919) 745-2283

michele.pore@theABA.org