American Board of Medical Specialties Chief Operating Officer, Laura Skarnulis among the Crain's Chicago Business 2019 Notable Women in Health Care

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the leading

organization that oversees the standards for physician board certification in the United States has

announced the naming of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ms. Laura Skarnulis to the Crain's Chicago

Business 2019 Notable Women in Health Care. In only its second year, the Notable Women in Health

Care features some of the most influential health care leaders in the city of Chicago and recognizes their

efforts to inform and effect change in the city's health care community.

In addition to her leadership of the ABMS strategic, operational and business development strategies,

Skarnulis is dedicated to the "customer experience", ensuring that all interactions with ABMS and its 24

Member Boards reflect the vision of "Higher Standards. Better Care", exemplifying the commitment to

improving the quality of health care provided to the patients, families and communities the organization

and its more than 900,000 physicians serve. She has also been instrumental in efforts to transform the

manner in which board certified physicians complete their continuing certification, spearheading the

adoption of the ABMS CertLink® platform, and assessment tool that better reflects a physician's

practice, increasing relevance and value while decreasing burden and cost, while enabling them remain

current on emerging healthcare developments.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized by Crain's Chicago Business and to be among this

impressive collective of women health care leaders," stated Skarnulis. "Making a real difference

in the lives we serve is a central element of my career and I am excited about the impact these

innovations are bringing and the future of these programs."

Prior to joining ABMS, Skarnulis served as the COO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for United Way

of Metropolitan Chicago where under her stewardship the organization successfully launched its 10-year

LIVE UNITED 2020 community impact plan, stretching across a six-county region. She was also the CFO

for the Arena Football League, formally based here in Chicago, as well as a CFO consultant for

established and startup ventures. Beginning her career as an auditor at Grant Thornton, she also held

various financial roles with increasing responsibility at World Book Publishing.

A civic leader with a passion for community service, Skarnulis is involved with a variety of organizations

including the Chicago Finance Exchange where she is a current member and Giving Back Exchange Co-

chair and member of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago's Women's United. With a particular

commitment to the professional and personal growth of women in business, she most recently founded

SLIC, an intergenerational women's network, bringing women across generations together to learn,

share their business knowledge and expertise to support their development.

Skarnulis is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, earning her Bachelor of Science in

Accountancy and is a certified public accountant. She and her family reside in Downers Grove, IL.