Ideally, you will have a long, mutually beneficial relationship with your physician, so selecting one is an important decision. Knowing that your doctor is qualified to provide the best care possible is equally important. Physicians who are board certificated in their area of specialty have taken additional steps to demonstrate they have the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to provide high quality care.

Board certification is not required in order to practice medicine, but most physicians take this voluntary step after completing their medical education and training. Board certifications are recognized throughout the world as an indicator of a standard, consistent level of training. 

Before a physician is eligible to take board examinations, they must meet requirements including:

• Completion of the required pre-doctoral and medical education

• Completion of required training in an accredited residency program

• Assessment and documentation of individual performance

• Unrestricted license to practice medicine

Physicians can be certified in one specific medical specialty (such as Internal Medicine), dual specialties (such as Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) or in sub-specialties related to specific areas of interest (such as Internal Medicine, subspecialty Sleep Medicine or Cardiology).  As medical knowledge continues to advance, new board certifications become available to physicians desiring additional training and expertise.

Two physicians at Colorado Springs Health Partners have dual certifications, and several have certifications in sub-specialty areas beyond their initial medical training. This information is listed on each physician’s page as a resource for you.

Take the time to choose your physician carefully so that the two of you are able to establish a longstanding partnership in maintaining your health.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience, many of whom have earned a masters degree. Nurse practitioners are health care professionals focusing on health maintenance, disease prevention, counseling and patient education in a wide variety of settings. One of the many important roles they can play in your health care is to provide immediate access for acute problems and manage chronic illnesses.

Nurse practitioners can work independently in their own offices or, as they do at CSHP, work in collaboration with physicians. Their role is to take the time to assess how your lifestyle affects your health, promoting disease prevention and early detection of illness.

Physician Assistants (PA) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. They are trained to conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, manage chronic illness, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. PA's are licensed by the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners and certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Physician Assistants are educated in intensive medical programs averaging 111 weeks of curriculum, compared with the typical medical school of 155 weeks. PA programs are designed to complement the work of physicians and most physician assistants will see many of the same types of patients as the physician they work with. They too, are available to provide immediate access for your acute health problems.