Throughout 2024, the NBOME celebrated its 90th anniversary by hearing directly from some individuals who have guided the organization in its past and those who will do so in the future.
In our series, we have included former and current NBOME leaders who are also luminaries in the osteopathic profession, including:
- Millicent K. Channell, DO, MA, senior associate dean of academic affairs and student services at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine; former NBOME Board member
- Gregory E. Harris, DO, a practicing hematologist/oncologist and NBOME Board member
- Susan I. Belanger, PhD, RN, MA, senior vice president for mission integration at Covenant Health System; former NBOME Board member
- Current NBOME Board Chair Lori A. Kemper, DO, MS, dean of Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- John E. Thornburg DO, PhD, professor emeritus of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; former NBOME Board Chair
- William G. Anderson, DO, the first African American president of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and a celebrated civil rights advocate; former NBOME Board member
- Janice A. Knebl, DO, MBA, interim chair of internal medicine & geriatrics at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine; former NBOME Board secretary-treasurer
- Boyd R. Buser, DO, chair of the Osteopathic International Alliance and a past president of the AOA; former NBOME Board Chair
We round out our celebration with an interview with one of the most influential people in the NBOME’s history: its first full-time president and CEO, Frederick G. Meoli, DO.
Meoli has been affiliated with the NBOME since 1988, when he started as an item writer. During his tenure, he served on virtually every committee in the organization. He served as Board president (now called Board Chair) from 1999-2001. In 2002, he was appointed first full-time president and CEO and served in that role until his retirement in 2009. Meoli was then succeeded by current President and CEO John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd.
Here we’ve included a brief excerpt from Meoli’s video interview:
How have you seen the NBOME change since you became involved?
I witnessed a tremendous evolution during my affiliation with the NBOME. During that time, we went from subject-based paper and pencil tests (Parts 1-3) to a computer-based competency-based examination (COMLEX-USA Levels 1-3). This resulted in an enhancement of medical education by incorporating the seven osteopathic clinical competencies and an increased awareness of the uniqueness of the osteopathic profession.
How do you envision the future of osteopathically distinctive assessment?
I believe that the NBOME and its partners will continue focusing on the seven clinical competencies of osteopathic medicine and how those competencies align with the changing field of healthcare. Changes which include technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, robotics, telemedicine, and more.
What do you see as the best way for the NBOME to continue to serve the profession and our patients?
The NBOME can best serve our profession and our patients by adhering to our mission, remaining current with valid and applicable products and services, encouraging continued research in osteopathic medical education and clinical assessment, continuing active engagement with our professional, educational, and medical regulatory authority partners, and by recognizing that it is the people associated with the NBOME who make things happen.
The NBOME is grateful to all those who participated in our video series celebrating nine decades of protecting the public by providing the means to assess competencies for osteopathic medicine and related health care professions.