The American Board of Surgery (ABS), the national certifying body for general surgeons and related specialists, is pleased to welcome four new councilors to the ABS Council. Each councilor will serve a six-year term, which begins on July 1, 2023. All ABS Councilors are currently certified by the ABS and are meeting the requirements of the ABS Continuous Certification Program.
Callisia N. Clarke, M.D., M.S., FACS, FSSODr. Clarke is an associate professor of surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where she specializes in complex general surgical oncology. Her research and clinical interests focus on gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery, and Melanoma/Sarcoma.
Dr. Clarke received her medical degree and completed residency at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Following residency training, she completed a clinical fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
When asked about her election to the council, Dr. Clarke said, “My passion to serve the American Board of Surgery’s mission stems from a deep commitment to excellence in surgical care and a desire to contribute to the advancement of the field for the benefit of all patients.”
As a member of the ABS Council, Dr. Clarke will also serve as a member of the Diplomates and Surgeons in Practice Committee.
In addition to her new position on the council, Dr. Clarke is the president-elect for the Association for Academic Surgery and a member of the Executive Council of the Society for Surgical Oncology.
When she is not working, she enjoys singing and reading.
Scott Coates, M.D., FACSDr. Coates is vice chief of staff at Labette Health Center in Parsons, Kansas, and an associate professor at University of Kansas School of Medicine. He specializes in general and robotic surgery and endoscopy. His research and clinical interests focus on rural surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
A Kansas native, Dr. Coates first attended Kansas State and then University of Kansas School of Medicine for his medical degree. He completed his residency at Northeast Ohio Medical University and now lives in Carl Junction, Missouri, with his wife and two daughters.
“It is an amazing privilege to be selected to serve as ABS Councilor,” said Dr. Coates. “I believe that every rural and community surgical patient in our country should have access to the most contemporary surgical care, even in limited resource settings. The ABS, whose mission is to ensure a competent surgical workforce, will contribute significantly to this aspect of surgical care for generations of patients.”
As a member of the ABS Council, Dr. Coates will also serve as a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Dr. Coates has previously served as a governor of the American College of Surgeons and as a member of the American Board of Surgery Continuous Certification Committee.
In his spare time, Dr. Coates enjoys mountain biking, fly fishing, and playing guitar.
Benjamin Jarman, M.D., FACSDr. Jarman serves as vice president of medical education and designated institutional official for Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also associate dean for the Western Academic Campus of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and medical director for the Physician Assistant Program of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
An Indiana native, Dr. Jarman earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio, and now lives and practices in Wisconsin where he focuses in general surgery. His research and clinical interests center around surgical education, rural surgery, global surgery, autonomy, independent academic medical centers, graduate medical education, and clinical variety.
When asked about his new role on the Council of the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Jarman said, “I look forward to working with and learning from the current council members to modify and implement certification processes, assess candidates for certification, and impact the standard of education.”
As a member of the ABS Council, Dr. Jarman will also serve as a member of the Education and Training Committee.
In addition, Dr. Jarman is the president-elect for the Wisconsin Surgical Society and is a member of the Western Surgical Association Program Committee. He also previously served as president of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery.
When he is not working, Dr. Jarman enjoys cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and traveling with his wife, Annette, and their three children.
Ricardo D. Martinez, M.D., FACS, MHADr. Martinez is the medical director of surgical services for DHR Health in McAllen, Texas, and an associate clinical professor at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He serves as a councilor for the Texas Surgical Society and also previously served as a governor of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Martinez received his medical degree from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and then went on to complete his surgical residency at Yale’s St. Raphael Hospital. Today, he practices general surgery and his clinical interests and research focus on breast cancer.
“I look forward to learning about the ABS and identifying areas where I may be helpful,” said Dr. Martinez of his new role on the council. “We must keep the ABS strong but helpful and useful to practicing surgeons.”
As a member of the ABS Council, Dr. Martinez will also serve as a member of the Education and Training Committee.
When he is able, Dr. Martinez enjoys practicing hobbies like jiu-jitsu, hunting, and fishing.
In Thanks
The ABS gratefully acknowledges the dedication and commitment of the following outgoing councilors, whose term on the Council ended in July:
- Thomas S. Huber, M.D. – Chair, Vascular Surgery Board; Member, Assessment Committee; Member, Nominating Committee
- Kenji Inaba, M.D. – Director, Trauma, Burns and Surgical Critical Care Board; Chair, Diplomates and Surgeons in Practice Committee; Member, Nominating Committee
- Krista L. Kaups, M.D. – Chair, Trauma, Burns and Surgical Critical Care Board; Member, Education and Training Committee; Member, Nominating Committee
- M. Timothy Nelson, M.D. – Director, General Surgery Board; Member, Education and Training Committee
- Nancy D. Perrier, M.D. – Director, Complex General Surgical Oncology Board; Chair, Assessment Committee; Member, Nominating Committee
- David A. Spain, M.D. – Director, Complex General Surgical Oncology Board; Member, Research Committee
About the ABS
The American Board of Surgery is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their board certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities.
The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, complex general surgical oncology, surgery of the hand, and hospice and palliative medicine. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
MAY 23, 2023 |