American Board of Clinical Lipidology Awards Dr. Peter O. Knight Diplomate Status

Tampa, FL (Jan. 7, 2008) -- Peter O. Knight, MD, associate professor of medicine at University of South Florida School of Medicine, was recently awarded Diplomate status with the American Board of Clinical Lipidology (ABCL). He joins only 300 physicians across the nation who have achieved this prestigious credential. The ABCL is a nonprofit certifying organization dedicated to reducing the morbidity and mortality from dyslipidemia and related diseases by assessing qualifications and certifying knowledge in clinical lipidology.

Dr. Knight has been a member of the USF Division of Cardiology, either as a clinical professor or as an associate professor since 1972. He is helping develop the Preventive Cardiology/Lipid Clinic within USF Health. He practices at the USF Health South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare near Tampa General Hospital.

The ABCL certifies physicians who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues and satisfied the credentialing and testing requirements established by the ABCL. To obtain Diplomate status, a physician must complete a range of continuing medical education requirements and successfully pass a rigorous examination.

Professionals in the area of lipid management or “lipidologists” specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cholesterol disorders known as dyslipidemia, which may cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease causes approximately one-third of all deaths in the U.S.

- USF Health -

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida’s colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group. With $308 million in research funding last year, USF is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of Florida’s top three research universities.