A Growing Number of Subspecialized Hospice Physicians

“[The HMDCB examination] was very worthwhile, and I feel the study and preparation I embarked on made me a better practitioner as well as teacher,” stated a 2016 exam candidate who joined 650 other physicians who have earned their HMDC® credential through the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) since the organization’s launch just 3 years ago.

The HMDCB Board, supported by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), intends to provide a path for recognition of mid-career physicians engaged and committed to end-of-life care. These physicians desire a formal recognition process that will validate their unique competencies in hospice medicine and provide a solid foundation for their work as members of the hospice leadership team. The need for qualified physicians to care for the aging population in hospice care is great, and HMDCB is meeting that need to expand the workforce.