Serra completes board certification

St. John’s Lutheran Hospital announces the board certification of emergency medicine physician Mark Serra, DO, by the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM).  

Dr. Serra began the long process to become board certified immediately following completion of his residency in 2009.  

Once a physician completes residency, they become board eligible and has six years to complete the process for certification through AOBEM.  

Serra accomplished his certification requirements in just three years, completing all three oral, written, and clinical examinations. These examinations evaluate the physician’s understanding of the scientific basis of problems involved in emergency medicine, the physician’s familiarity with current advances in emergency medicine, the physician’s possession of sound judgment, and a high degree of skill in the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involved in the practice of emergency medicine.  

In December, Serra received word that he had passed all portions of the examination process for this notable certification.

“Becoming board certified in any specialty is a huge undertaking and a true test of a physician’s medical knowledge and competency,” said St. John’s CEO Bruce Whitfield. “St. John’s is proud to employ physicians who strive to be the best they can be for our hospital and our communities, and board certification is one of the ways that we can make that distinction. We are ecstatic that Dr. Serra has completed this long and grueling process.”