ABEM Certificate Looks Cheap

[southerndoc]

Seriously, after all the time investment and money involved, you'd think ABEM would offer a certificate that actually looks decent.

No Old English style printing, but I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok with is the 8.5 x 11 size that looks like somebody printed the thing at home.

Other professions have better looking certificates. Why must ABEM be so frugal?

Anyone else feel the same way?

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[Apollyon]

Well, my degree from college looks good, although we were the first class not actually printed on literal sheepskin. Med school, eh. Prelim-IM? Nice. Duke residency? Cheap. South Carolina license? Styling. Hawai'i? Looks like it was printed at home.

 

[southerndoc]

My state license is pretty big and looks really nice. Have it double framed underneath my medical school certificate. They're the same size (14x18 or so, not sure of exact size).

I'm just really underwhelmed with the ABEM certificate. We spent a lot of money to go through this process. The least they could do is give us a decent certificate.

 

[kungfufishing]

So, we get this in addition to our fancy framed thing by John Henry (steeldrivin' certificate printer) or whoever, right? Or did they screw up my order?

 

[DeLaughterDO]

Cutbacks. It's the economy, you know 🙂

 

[Arcan57]

Mr. Henry never sent me the brochure with my framing options. The certificate did come with a flyer for some amazingly cheap looking DIY framing kits.

 

[GeneralVeers]

I just made mine in Photoshop and printed it out at home. Looks way better than the real thing.

 

[southerndoc]

I think I'm going to scan mine in and reprint the thing on 14x17 paper so it is actually framable.

Maybe I'm being overly whiney here, but c'mon, we've paid a lot of money for this. I don't think the framing options by Jim Henry have a better certificate.

 

[dchristismi]

It not only looks cheap, but it appears to have been designed in the mid-70s and never updated. The frames offered were hideous.

I took mine to Michaels, picked up a $6 double document mat (with the appropriate 8.5x11" opening, not the photo 8x10) to bring it up to 11x14" and a nice 40% off frame that somewhat matched my really-nice MD diploma frame, all for less than $30.

The Jim Henry framing options were, well... "tacky" seems a bit generous. I could imagine them on a doctor's wall, oh, 30 years ago. They actually reminded me of my childhood opthalmologists's office. Which wouldn't be bad, except his were from the 60s, I think.

And my Florida license is a 5"x7" silly little thing - it looks like what restaurants tack up along with their first dollar.



GV, please, PLEASE tell me that you photoshopped Chuck Norris's signature on the bottom... that would be priceless.

 

[southerndoc]

I emailed Deb Perina (ABEM President) about it. She said it was very timely because they were considering redoing the certificates.

Maybe we should all send emails to ABEM about it. I don't think they realize how cheap they look. My girlfriend jokes that I didn't pass and just printed off a fake certificate to avoid the embarassment. (I swear I passed!)

 

[Apollyon]

I emailed Deb Perina (ABEM President) about it. She said it was very timely because they were considering redoing the certificates.

Maybe we should all send emails to ABEM about it. I don't think they realize how cheap they look. My girlfriend jokes that I didn't pass and just printed off a fake certificate to avoid the embarassment. (I swear I passed!)

When are YOU running for ABEM (or ACEP, or AAEM) president? I barely get my ass to work daily.

 

[southerndoc]

When are YOU running for ABEM (or ACEP, or AAEM) president? I barely get my ass to work daily.

You know I love politics. I've thought of running for a state seat one day. We'll see how that goes.

I have too much going on with work now (working a lot, plus administrative duties from a recent promotion).

I still let my opinions be known. That's the only way you can cause change, or at least have it considered. A muted audience is a happy audience in the eyes of leaders and politicians.

 

[Greenbbs]

my ohio license rocks. my new york one? not so much.

 

[Arcan57]

Ohio was good, Mississippi's looked impressive. Tennesee's was one step above the Health Department restaurant rating.

 

[tkim]

my ohio license rocks. my new york one? not so much.

I'll take my NY one over the MA one. The MA license has the board president's scanned signature cut and pasted in one corner, one corner of the signature takes out part of the letters on another part of the certificate. Not suitable for framing.

 

[DrMom]

My Oklahoma license is a yellow piece of cardstock.

 

[kungfufishing]

Mississippi's is much nicer than Oklahoma. Arcan, do I know you?

 

[Jeff698]

I was a bit underwhelmed as well.

But then again, considering the amount of money I poured into this (yes, I know...it was for the process, not the paper...get off my back, I'm whining here, OK?), I'd expect a much nicer certificate.

Mine is still on the counter where it is likely to remain for some time. Maybe one day I'll take it down to Michael's and do something with it.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[GeneralVeers]

Mine is still on the counter where it is likely to remain for some time. Maybe one day I'll take it down to Michael's and do something with it.

Take care,
Jeff

Glitter paste?

 

[Jeff698]

Glitter paste?

Now there's an idea!

Take care,
Jeff

 

[kungfufishing]

I was thinking more of a rotating holiday theme when I read that.

 

[Jeff698]

I was thinking more of a rotating holiday theme when I read that.

I just bought some rope lights for a project I'm working on. Maybe I'll use the leftovers to line the certificate. Perhaps make them blink alot?

Nothing like bling around your board certification to scream "class", huh?

Take care,
Jeff

 

[dchristismi]

I think rhinestones in little star patterns would give it just the right amount of bling without overdoing it. Glitter paste might be a bit much... unless you used gold glitter, of course.

 

[GeneralVeers]

I think rhinestones in little star patterns would give it just the right amount of bling without overdoing it. Glitter paste might be a bit much... unless you used gold glitter, of course.

That would go nicely with my gold-plated stethoscope!

 

[southerndoc]

Only 8 votes? Do we really only have 8 ABEM certified emergency physicians in the forum? Wow

 

[EMCC]

Sheesh! Way to go and guilt a guy into voting, Southern...😳

For the record, I thought it was a copy of the diploma to make it easier to send to employers... Only later did I actually realize it was the real one!

 

[southerndoc]

Here's the response from Jim Henry regarding obtaining a larger size certificate:

Dear southerndoc:

This opportunity is taken to answer your questions in your 2-10-10 email (to Denise Heraty) regarding obtaining a larger size American Board of Emergency Medicine certificate. Mrs. Karen Credille, our ABEM Account Manager, is currently out of the office.

The 8.5" x 11" certificate you received is the official ABEM Diplomate certificate. It is a handsome diploma, being manufactured in the Genuine Steel Die Engraved process---the highest quality possible for certificates. There are no other sizes available. However, you do have a few options for display purposes, as outlined below.

1) ALPHA SERIES Frames: these striking frames will allow 3 documents to be mounted into one frame (or up to 4 for a custom size). Many doctors will include their

photograph in the frame. Three styles to choose from.

2) DESIGNER SERIES Frames: Models F4 through F8 available; archival framed document is dry-mounted and double rag matted, with a 24k Gold Plated Staff of

Aesculapius medallion on 4 of the styles.

3) RENAISSANCE Frame: Double matted certificate with 24k gold plated Staff of Aesculapius medallion.

4) METAL PHOTO Plaque: a photographic reproduction of your Board certificate onto brass or nickel silver; mounted onto a solid American walnut panel; 3 different

sizes to choose from.

Handsome certificate? Wow, just wow.

 

[DrMom]

Here's the response from Jim Henry regarding obtaining a larger size certificate:



Handsome certificate? Wow, just wow.

Maybe he's using it like people refer to a "handsome" woman, which really isn't so much a complement.

 

[GeneralVeers]

Maybe he's using it like people refer to a "handsome" woman, which really isn't so much a complement.

Maybe he's referring to the handsome profit being made by ABEM through the whole certification process.