After over 25 years in practice, the ACBN is still the only certification that provides diplomates on a doctorate level with the reassurance that we are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies in Nutrition. In a health care paradigm where we are now seeing the term "Nutritionism"1 being resurrected and misinterpreted as a "pseudoscience", it is important to know that the ACBN is consistently meeting the standards. Year after year the ACBN continues this long standing validity, which no matter what the media displays, is what stands behind us in our practice. The ACBN also is very inclusive, encouraging all, and especially women to rise in leadership roles. As past President, I have not only had the privilege of working with some of the greatest doctors that specialize in Nutrition and Biochemistry in this country, but I am proud to call them friends. 1.Scrinis, G. (2013). After Nutritionism. In Nutritionism: The Science and Politics of Dietary Advice (pp. 237–254). Columbia University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/scri15656.13

Having DABCN certification has added significantly to my bottom line as patients are willing to pay less reluctantly because they know they will be receiving specialized service from a board certified physician. The ability to associate and confer with other doctorate level health care providers or different specialties is a unique feature of the ABCN creating added benefit to patients. Having the DABCN certification allows me to advertise that I am a nutrition specialist without repercussions from by state board.

It is so important and beneficial for the public to know that they can consult with a Board-certified physician-level provider when it comes to clinical nutrition! Too often, consumers depend on the dubious advice of the cashier at their vitamin store when they have a question regarding a supplement. The ACBN provides the assurance that their Diplomates are fully informed and up to date on the latest information on all aspects of diet and supplementation and can guide people properly towards regaining and maintaining their health, naturally.

The primary benefit I have derived from the ACBN and being a diplomate is being a part of a like-minded community. It has been a pleasure to meet with fellow diplomates and engage in the kind of conversations about nutritional chemistry and patient care that I can rarely engage in with virtually anyone else. For those whose passion is clinical nutrition but are having trouble finding people with whom this passion can be shared, I strongly suggest looking into becoming a diplomate with the ACBN.

Becoming part of the ACBN has been one of the best experiences of my career. The ACBN sets a high standard for the practitioner, but at the same time makes involvement accessible. The education has changed my clinical practice and continues to do so. Any physician status practitioner would not only benefit their own knowledge, but also increase the standard of care for their patients.