Local physician to chair board of nation's second largest medical specialty

SUSSEX COUNTY — Frank L. Kane, M.D., a Newton-based physician affiliated with St. Clare's Health System, was recently named chairperson of the American Board of Family Medicine. Kane, who is actively engaged in private family practice, has been a leader in family practice at the local and national levels. He will lead the nation's second largest medical specialty board. "I'm pleased to bring my 20 years of experience in family medicine to this board," stated Kane. "In over 35 years, the American Board of Family Medicine has encouraged excellence in medical care and helped to ensure that family physicians remain committed to providing the best practices to those they serve. As the family medicine specialty evolves, so does the organization." "I'm excited to lead an organization with such a solid reputation as the standards bearer for family-focused medical care," he continued. "I lead it at a time when we are looking to strengthen the level of respect that our credentials hold in the medical community. Through a comprehensive realignment of our certification process, we are cooperatively demonstrating our commitment to patients and families." Kane is the past chairman of the department of family practice at St. Clare's Hospital and is a clinical assistant professor in the department of family practice at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New Jersey Medical School. Kane is a past president of both the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and its foundation, and is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition, Kane is active in youth athletics and serves as the team physician for Sparta High School, and school physician for several grammar schools in Sparta. "We congratulate Dr. Kane on selection as chair of one of the nation's leading medical specialty boards. St. Clare's has always prided itself on our united ability to provide patient-focused care to the communities we serve, and our medical staff is integral to that effort," stated David Lundquist, COO of St. Clare's Health System and CEO of St. Clare's Hospital. "We applaud his willingness to serve in this capacity, and St. Clare's will support him in his efforts on behalf of this standards-bearing organization." Founded in 1969, the American Board of Family Medicine is a voluntary, not-for-profit, private organization. Its purpose is to improve the quality of medical care offered to the public, establish and maintain standards of excellence, improve the standards of medical education, and function as a certification body for family-focused medical providers. The board seeks to assure patients that its certified family physicians have the necessary training and expertise to provide quality care to individuals and families. There are approximately 70,000 board-certified family physicians nationwide. St. Clare's Health System, serving the healthcare needs of northwestern New Jersey since 1895, operates hospitals in Boonton Township, Denville, Dover and Sussex Borough, and other facilities located throughout Morris and Sussex counties.