School of Community Medicine Gains Surgical Specialty Certification

TULSA -- OU-TU School of Community Medicine recently gained designation as a Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) testing center for the American Board of Surgery. FLS certification is similar to Basic Life Support certification (BLS), in that it is a necessary component toward eligibility for board certification. OU-TU School of Community Medicine is the only site in Oklahoma with this distinction.

The certification is also a milestone toward recognition as a Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery center. FES certification is another component for board eligibility in surgical practice.

Because they are essential in building and maintaining excellent surgical residency programs, the designations play a vital role in the academic mission of the school. These certifications make it possible for physicians in OU-TU School of Community Medicine programs to attain their certifications locally. Currently, residents in the OU-TU School of Community Medicine obstetrics and gynecology programs may also work toward certification at the school.

By earning certification, OU-TU School of Community Medicine is featured as an active FLS Test Center on the FLS website. FLS certification makes additional resources available to institutions, including didactic curriculum, instructional videos, administrative guides as well as assessment tools and online test modules.

Physician leaders are hopeful that testing will ultimately be open to serve residents across the region, including Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri residents.