The American Board of Medical Specialties Joins National Safety Council SAFER Task Force to Ensure Employee Safety Through the Pandemic

First nationwide safety task force will help employers prioritize worker safety in a post-pandemic world

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American Board of Medical Specialties

May 27, 2020, 11:00 ET

CHICAGO, May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the leading organization that oversees the standards for physician board certification in the United States, today announced it will join the National Safety Council (NSC) task force to support the SAFER: Safe Actions for Employee Returns initiative. The SAFER program offers a comprehensive, multifaceted plan developed to guide employers through the process of safely resuming traditional work and operations now and in a post-pandemic environment.

In partnership with NSC, the nation's leading nonprofit safety advocate, ABMS joins other Fortune 500 companies, leading safety organizations and public health professionals and experts to prioritize worker safety and navigate the changed work environment. Ms. Laura Skarnulis, ABMS Chief Operating Officer, will serve on the SAFER task force, assisting in the development of this essential return to work post-pandemic effort.

"With SAFER, we are bringing the best minds together to ensure Americans have the safest transition back to work possible," said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We are thrilled to have the partnership of ABMS to help us on our mission to make workplaces safer."

Led by NSC, SAFER will issue recommendations and guidance for employers, including small and mid-size companies, across a variety of industries. From best practices to data-driven recommendations, the task force will provide employers the tools and solutions they need to take action in complicated and challenging times, with simple, practical implementation resources.

"We are honored to have been invited to participate in the SAFER initiative and to play an active role in ensuring that the return to workplaces for all types of employees is done in the safest and most appropriate manner," stated Richard E. Hawkins, MD, ABMS President and Chief Executive Officer. "As our Chief Operating Officer, Laura Skarnulis has been a leader in the ABMS pandemic response to date and will bring innovative ideas and share feedback from our community with the Task Force."

"The safe return to the workplace is a top priority for ABMS and we, like the SAFER Task Force members and the team at the NSC, are committed to basing our policies, procedures and decisions on scientific evidence," noted Ms. Skarnulis. "I am honored to serve alongside these talented and diverse task force members and to have the opportunity to share best practices, offer insights and learn from companies and organizations across the country as we enter into this new, post-pandemic era."

For more information about the task force, please visit nsc.org/safer.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (nsc.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.

About the American Board of Medical Specialties
Established in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the leading not-for-profit organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. ABMS supports 24 Member Boards that develop educational and professional standards and programs of assessment to certify physician specialists, all dedicated to improving the quality of care to the patients, families and communities they serve. More than 900,000 physicians are certified in one or more of 40 specialties and 87 subspecialties offered by the ABMS Member Boards. For more information about ABMS, visit abms.org or call (312) 436-2600.

SOURCE American Board of Medical Specialties