The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is one of the twenty-four Member Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Founded in 1969, it is a voluntary, not-for-profit, private organization whose objective is to encourage excellence in medical care. The ABFM believes that its certified family physicians have successfully demonstrated their ability and have proven their commitment to the public, the specialty of Family Medicine and the profession. Through its certification processes, the ABFM seeks to provide patients the assurance that their certified family physicians have the necessary education, training, skills and experience to provide high quality care to patients and their families and that this commitment to excellence is maintained throughout their years of practice.