In Conversation With Clinician Educator Pathway Candidate

One of the things I truly appreciate about the AEP is that it’s not just something you can sign up for by paying a fee—it’s a selective process that requires you to meet several criteria, demonstrating that you’re an accomplished physician. Being accepted into the program was a meaningful accomplishment for me.

How did you become aware of the Alternate Entry Pathway (AEP), and what attracted you to pursue it?
Interestingly, I first heard about the AEP during a recruitment conversation with a hospital while finishing my fellowships. The chair mentioned the AEP as a potential benefit, offering sponsorship to join the pathway if I decided to join them.

Although I was already practicing with a full medical license when I decided to pursue board certification, I highly valued what board certification represents. For me, board certification signifies a commitment to excellence and patient safety. It demonstrates that a physician has met rigorous national standards, which is especially important as someone initially trained outside the United States. While I am confident in the high quality of my training in Costa Rica, being board-certified eliminates any doubts, as it proves I have completed and passed the same rigorous evaluations as my peers.

Why do you value board certification?
I deeply value board certification because it represents a commitment to excellence, patient safety and lifelong learning. It demonstrates that a physician has met rigorous national standards and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality care, which becomes highly important when initially trained outside of the United States. For us in anesthesiology, where precision and adaptability are paramount, board certification reassures patients, colleagues and institutions that the care delivered is based on the latest evidence and best practices while fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism. This closely aligns with my dedication to continuous improvement and staying at the forefront of advancements in the field.

How has the Fast Track program helped advance your career?
Although I am still currently completing the AEP, I can confidently say the AEP to board certification has, in my opinion, been a pivotal aspect of my professional journey. It provided me the opportunity to demonstrate my qualifications and expertise in anesthesiology without the need for a prolonged retraining period. This pathway enabled me to continue advancing in my career, fulfilling roles working as an attending physician, teaching residents, contributing to research, participating in professional organizations and, in my case, holding leadership positions. I could do all this while minimizing the economic, time and social strain residency has on family life.

The process extends beyond simply retaking examinations; it requires active participation in educational initiatives. This pathway inspired me to pursue and complete a Medical Education Fellowship, significantly enhancing my academic anesthesiology expertise. Additionally, I successfully developed and implemented an innovative project aimed at improving the efficiency and objectivity of resident evaluations. These experiences not only enriched my skills as an educator but also reaffirmed my dedication to advancing medical education within our specialty.

The AEP’s flexibility ensured that my career progression remained uninterrupted, allowing me to focus on delivering high-quality patient care and contributing to the field of anesthesiology. It became even more flexible when I entered the Fast Track program. While the AEP is designed as a four-year process, it also offers an accelerated option for those who perform exceptionally well on the In-Training Examination (ITE). Achieving a high score, as defined by the program, allows candidates to bypass the time constraints of retaking the ITE annually and proceed directly to the Basic and Advanced Examinations in a consecutive manner. This flexibility significantly reduces the overall time in the program, making the pathway more adaptable to individual circumstances.

Is there anything else you would like to share regarding your experiences with the AEP program and the ABA?
One of the things I truly appreciate about the AEP is that it’s not just something you can sign up for by paying a fee—it’s a selective process that requires you to meet several criteria, demonstrating that you’re an accomplished physician. Being accepted into the program was a meaningful accomplishment for me. It was a moment where the ABA recognized my experience and qualifications, giving me a sense of validation and pride in my work to get to this point. It felt like more than just acceptance into a program—it felt like acknowledgment of my dedication to my career.

An unexpected but meaningful benefit of the AEP was how it brought me closer to the residents. Since we were all preparing for the same examinations, it created a shared experience that fostered a sense of camaraderie. Residents often felt comfortable approaching me to review questions or discuss topics, and I could tailor my intraoperative teaching to align with what they were preparing to be tested on. It truly felt like a bonding experience and gave me the opportunity to connect with them not just as a mentor, but as someone who understood exactly what they were going through.