UNMC’s internal medicine residency program scores among top programs

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s internal medicine residency program has had 100 percent of its residents pass the 2001 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) examination.

The accomplishment puts UNMC in the top 5 percent of programs across the country, said James O’Dell, M.D., professor of medicine, chief of the section of rheumatology and immunology, residency program director, and vice-chairman of the department of internal medicine.

“That’s pretty special,” he said. “To do so well each year is a tribute to our program, our faculty, our associate program director (Joel Bessmer, M.D.), our chief residents, our education support staff (Sara Maloley and Harry Swartzfeger) and, of course, our residents.”

The national organization of accreditation tracks three-year pass rates. Its latest online data covers 1998-2000. To view the residency program pass rates by state, visit the ABIM Web site at http://www.abim.org/home.htm# (click on exam dates and statistics/residency program pass rates listed under the ABIM Quick Access Links.)

Residents take the ABIM exam in August and receive their results in November. During the past four years, 53 UNMC residents have taken the exam.

Residents who passed the 2001 exam are listed below, along with their hometowns:

  • Daniel Anderson, Gothenburg, Neb.
  • Scott Beckstrand, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  • Alexander Bernal, Peru, Ill.
  • Kristin Bird, Albion, Neb.
  • Scott Chapman, Dike, Iowa
  • Ronald Childerston, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  • Matthew Fryzek, Glenwood, Iowa
  • Ty Maddox, Ft. Worth, Texas
  • Husain Rasheed, India
  • Jason Shiffermiller, Omaha, Neb.
  • Jonathan Spencer, Grand Island, Neb.
  • Jason Steinle, Carson, N.D.
  • Dwight Zabel, Pittsburg, Kan.