IMPACT
REPORT

In June, FSMB launched a national public awareness campaign—Care Matters—to spotlight the critical role state medical boards play in protecting patients and supporting quality care.

The campaign features a series of short video ads on Instagram and Facebook, aimed at primarily reaching women ages 18–55. These videos highlight the vital role physicians play in life’s most important health moments—while also emphasizing how state medical boards work behind the scenes to support safe, ethical, and high-quality care. By reinforcing the connection between trusted care and effective regulation, the campaign builds public understanding of the value medical boards bring to the healthcare system.

A Lifetime of Care You Can Trust

FSMB partnered with the nationally recognized branding agency Mekanic to develop CareMatters.org—an easy-to-use resource where the public can:

• Learn about the mission and work of state medical boards
• Look up their physician’s credentials through DocInfo.org
• Find contact information for their state board

Since launch, the campaign has generated more than 19 million views across social media and driven over 20,000 website visits to CareMatters.org.

FSMB is also making campaign videos available for boards to use on their own websites and social channels. Additional resources are in development based on member feedback and will be available in the coming months.

Want to learn more or use these resources?
Visit www.carematters.org or email jknickrehm@fsmb.org for information about how your board can participate.

John Bremer, Managing Director, Advocacy & Policy; Lisa Robin, Chief Advocacy Officer; and Dr. Jorge Alsip, FSMB Board/Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, met with the Alabama congressional delegation in June to voice FSMB support for the SHARE Act.

FSMB continues to advocate for solutions to support a strong and flexible health care workforce—most recently through support of the SHARE Act (States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment Act). The SHARE Act would reduce barriers to health care licensure across states by streamlining how state licensing boards access federal criminal background check information. It would authorize the FBI to share this information directly with state boards for individuals seeking licensure through interstate compacts, such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) and the PA Licensure Compact (PA Compact). FSMB has formally endorsed this legislation and is actively working to secure passage of the SHARE Act in both the U.S. House and Senate.

By improving access to essential background check data, the SHARE Act would help:

• Speed up the licensure process for health care professionals practicing in multiple states
• Improve workforce mobility, helping to address health care shortages—especially in underserved communities
• Strengthen patient safety by ensuring licensing boards have the information they need to make informed decisions

In recent months, FSMB’s advocacy staff, members of our Board of Directors, and representatives from state medical boards, have met with legislators in Washington, DC, to voice strong support for the bill and emphasize the importance of improving licensure pathways in today’s rapidly evolving health care environment.

FSMB will continue to work with policymakers and member boards to advance legislation that supports safe, efficient licensure across state lines.

FSMB has released the latest edition of its biennial census of licensed physicians, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the U.S. physician workforce.

As of 2024, there are 1,082,187 licensed physicians across the United States and the District of Columbia—a 27% increase since the census was first published in 2010. State medical boards issued a record 146,000 new licenses last year alone, representing a 13% increase over 2022 and 43% more than in 2020.

Key findings from the 2024 census include:

Physicians represent:

Women now represent:

Most physicians hold a license in a single state, but IMGs are more likely to be licensed in multiple states, often practicing in underserved areas. This trend is contributing to growing legislative interest in alternative licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians—particularly those who have practiced abroad but haven’t completed a U.S. residency.

These developments reflect broader shifts in health care delivery and demand, and the census continues to be a valuable resource for state and federal policymakers, regulators, and workforce planners.

View Census licensing data by state or read the full Census article in the Journal of Medical Regulation (link to come).

Trailer: Educational Series on Physician Professional Boundaries

FSMB, in collaboration with the FSMB Foundation and Administrators in Medicine Foundation, has launched a new educational video series designed to help physicians navigate complex situations involving professional boundaries in clinical practice.

Maintaining appropriate boundaries is essential for protecting patient trust, upholding ethical standards, and ensuring safe, respectful care. This series offers real-world scenarios that highlight where those boundaries can sometimes become blurred.

The video series explores three common situations:

• Writing prescriptions for friends or family members
• Pursuing inappropriate romantic relationships with patients, their guardians, or close contacts
• Conducting intimate examinations without clear communication and patient consent

Each scenario is followed by expert commentary offering guidance on how to recognize, manage, and prevent boundary violations—reinforcing the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct, and trust in the physician-patient relationship.

This educational resource is intended for a wide audience, including:

• Medical students and residents
• Practicing physicians
• State medical and osteopathic board members and staff
• Patients and others in the medical regulatory community

By addressing these often difficult but critical topics, the series aims to support safe, ethical care and strengthen patient-physician interactions.

The video series is available online, and participants are eligible to receive continuing medical education (CME) credit upon completion. For more information, email edu@fsmb.org.

The Advisory Commission on Additional Licensing Models (ACALM) – co-chaired by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and Intealth™ – has released new guidance and a practical toolkit to support state medical boards, legislators, and potential employers as they consider new pathways for licensing internationally trained physicians (ITPs).

ITPs are individuals who have received medical education and practiced outside the United States. Some proposed licensure pathways would allow ITPs to practice without completing U.S. postgraduate training—requirements designed to ensure physicians are fully prepared to provide safe, competent care. Because these proposals could reshape the conditions under which licensure is granted, the Commission’s recommendations are designed to guide boards, policymakers, and institutions in establishing strong assessment and supervision standards in states where such pathways move forward. The guidance is not an endorsement of pending legislation, but a resource to help ensure that any new pathways to licensure maintain patient safety and professional rigor.

The recommendations emphasize comprehensive oversight, including assessment across six core competencies, initial individualized evaluations, specialty-specific examinations, and ongoing multi-modal evaluations of knowledge, skills and professional practice. They also call for supervision by fully licensed, board-certified physicians in the same specialty, with clear standards set by medical boards for supervisors and training sites. In addition, the guidance underscores the importance of protecting employee rights to ensure fair treatment and access to resources for ITPs.

ACALM was formed in December 2023 in response to growing interest among policymakers in expanding licensure pathways to address physician shortages and improve patient access. The guidance reflects a careful review of educational literature and relevant legislation, combined with input from nearly 100 individuals and organizations across the health care community during a public comment period.

Oregon is among the states working to implement legislation creating a pathway for internationally trained physicians to contribute to its health care workforce.

“Drawing from comprehensive stakeholder recommendations, this new framework provides the infrastructure we've long needed to tap into a valuable pool of qualified physicians who previously had no clear route to serve State patients,” says Nicole Krishnaswami, JD, Executive Director of the Oregon Medical Board. “As we prepare for implementation, we recognize this is somewhat uncharted territory – we're building the processes and systems, but the ultimate success will depend on whether internationally trained physicians embrace these new opportunities. What we do know is that this is fundamentally the right approach. Too many skilled physicians have been unable to contribute their expertise to addressing healthcare access issues in underserved communities simply due to licensing barriers rather than clinical competency.”

The release of this guidance and toolkit marks an important step in shaping safe and effective licensing pathways for ITPs. State-level implementation efforts will provide valuable insights into how the framework works in practice, helping to inform future policy decisions across the country.

Access the full guidance document

Explore the implementation toolkit

When the Maryland Board of Physicians faced an overwhelming challenge – reviewing thousands of historical disciplinary orders to identify permanent sanctions – it turned to an unlikely partner: artificial intelligence.

Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration with FSMB, Maryland combined regulatory expertise with cutting-edge technology to tackle a problem once thought impossible. The result was not only a breakthrough in efficiency and transparency, but also a model for how human–AI partnerships can transform medical regulation.

A Transparency Challenge in Maryland

Maryland’s public profile system contains detailed disciplinary information, but for many years, orders lacked summaries. Even when summaries were included, variation in authorship and inconsistent use of the word “permanent” meant that permanent sanctions were often buried and difficult to identify.

The scope of the challenge was enormous: 6,000 historical disciplinary orders dating back to 1999. Staff had managed to identify 11 permanent sanctions manually, but finding each would have required reading every page of every order – an impossible task given the board’s workload. Plus, permanent sanctions are distinct from other board actions. For example, a probation or reprimand may end with an active license, but a permanent sanction results in a lasting restriction. Identifying these cases was critical for transparency and public safety.

Adding to the complexity, Maryland had used three different systems to track board orders over time. None of them flagged permanent sanctions, and even after consolidating the systems, this gap remained.

From AI Pilot to Transformative Results

Rather than abandon the effort or hire additional staff, Maryland pursued a different path. In collaboration with FSMB, the board turned to AI to see if technology could accomplish what staff alone could not.

This was no simple upload-and-run process. The AI was trained like a new analyst and given detailed instructions on what to find, what to ignore, and how to format the output. Subject matter experts defined the task, guided the AI through multiple rounds of refinement, and stayed closely involved at every stage. Over six full cycles of review and adjustment, the model learned to identify permanent sanctions with precision.

The human–AI partnership was key. Maryland’s team brought deep regulatory and legal knowledge, while FSMB’s technology experts supplied the AI tools and know-how to build and fine-tune the system. Together they created a workflow that blended human judgment with machine speed and consistency.

The results exceeded expectations. The AI located all 11 permanent sanctions previously identified by staff and uncovered 20 more that had gone undetected. Along the way, it produced concise, consistent summaries that often improved on earlier human-written versions.

The project also delivered additional, unexpected benefits:

• Flagging legacy documents for potential privacy concerns
• Automatically identifying complex legal terminology such as “crimes of moral turpitude”
• Improving the tracking of sexual misconduct cases
• Creating a well-structured, searchable dataset with long-term value for research and oversight

Today, Maryland’s public profile system features a clear visual indicator of permanent sanctions, displayed prominently at the top of each profile with a direct link to the full sanction order, strengthening public trust and transparency.

What This Means for Medical Boards

This project treated AI as a temporary analyst assigned to a single, clearly defined task. But its success raises a larger question: What could medical boards achieve if AI tools were integrated into daily operations?

The Maryland Board’s experience demonstrates how AI can serve as a powerful workforce multiplier, expanding staff capacity, enhancing public safety, and advancing transparency in medical regulation.

Interested in learning more about this project or piloting similar efforts? Contact Cyndi Streun, VP, Information Services at cstreun@fsmb.org.

Nicole Krishnaswami, JD, speaking at IAMRA’s 2025 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation in Dublin, Ireland.

The International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) convened its 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation this September in Dublin, Ireland, marking the organization’s first European gathering in more than a decade. Hosted by the Medical Council of Ireland, the event brought together more than 460 participants representing 37 countries. A highlight of the meeting was the installation of Nicole Krishnaswami, JD, Executive Director of the Oregon Medical Board, as IAMRA’s new chair.

Guided by the theme “People-focused Regulation for a Safer Global Community,” the conference centered on a shared commitment to placing patients and communities at the heart of health practitioner regulation. The proceedings opened with remarks from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who spoke to the vital role regulation plays in shaping health systems, strengthening the healthcare workforce, and advancing universal health care.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in rich dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing regulators worldwide. Former Irish Prime Minister Dr. Leo Varadkar urged attendees to take bold steps in modernizing health systems and regulatory practices. Sessions featured practical strategies for strengthening regulatory effectiveness and responsiveness, alongside interactive workshops that explored tools for integrating artificial intelligence, advancing compassionate regulation, and improving workforce planning. Delegates also examined the importance of inclusive regulation, health equity, and cultural safety, and considered how best to prepare future generations of physicians.

The program also included a pre-conference workshop dedicated to supporting low- and middle-income countries, which built upon the 2024 IAMRA-WHO Memorandum of Understanding. This session underscored IAMRA’s ongoing commitment to global collaboration and capacity-building across health systems.

Ms. Krishnaswami highlighted the strong engagement of participants and acknowledged the leadership of Joan Simeon, CEO of the Medical Council of New Zealand, who completed her term as chair.

IAMRA will host its next conference in Hong Kong, China, in 2027.

Continuing medical education (CME) is a cornerstone of professional growth and a vital tool for ensuring patient safety and public trust. To help state medical boards meet this need, FSMB partners with boards and other organizations to accredit educational programs that deliver high-quality, evidence-based training. These accreditation services, offered at no cost to boards, make it easier to provide meaningful learning opportunities for licensees and other healthcare professionals.

Supporting State-Level CME Programs

The Washington Medical Commission is an example of this collaboration in action. Working with FSMB, the Commission developed Staying at the Forefront of Genetic Advancements, a five-part CME series designed to help physicians apply cancer genetics in daily clinical care.

Accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through April 2027, the modules bring together genetic counselors, oncologists, and primary care physicians to explore topics such as hereditary cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, testing outcomes, cascade screening, and variant classification. The free, online program equips non-genetic providers with tools to better identify hereditary risks, guide testing decisions, and expand access to genetic services, particularly in underserved communities.

“Partnering with FSMB’s accreditation program has been an invaluable experience. Their education team provided thoughtful guidance and clear direction, enabling the Washington Medical Commission to strengthen the quality and impact of our educational offerings,” said Jimi Bush, Director of Quality and Engagement at the Washington Medical Commission.

“With FSMB’s support, we have been able to develop programs that go beyond traditional topics to address underserved conditions and patient populations. As a result, we are better positioned to deliver relevant, high-quality education that supports our licensees continued professional growth and excellence in practice.”

With FSMB’s support, the Washington Medical Commission was able to deliver a robust, clinically relevant education program that meets national accreditation standards while addressing a timely and evolving area of medicine.

A Mission-Driven Approach

FSMB is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Since 2017, we’ve served nearly 45,000 learners through a range of CME activities, including live courses, webinars, enduring materials, and online programs.

FSMB’s collaborations with state medical boards and other partner organizations to plan and deliver accredited CME programs reflect the same standards. From early planning through implementation, FSMB’s Education team ensures every program meets ACCME requirements and aligns with our broader mission to promote excellence in medical regulation. Each activity is designed to strengthen professional competence, promote fairness in regulation, and improve patient care through evidence-based education.

By partnering with FSMB, state medical boards gain access to a trusted accreditation framework, expert guidance, and a streamlined process for delivering impactful education that meets the needs of today’s healthcare workforce. To learn more, email edu@fsmb.org.

Over the past year, FSMB has undertaken a strategic transformation in how it supports stakeholders, shifting from a program-specific support model to a centralized, enterprise Customer Experience (CX) function. Historically, support operations were decentralized across FCVS, PDC, and USMLE, with limited systems and minimal visibility across programs, resulting in inefficiencies and inconsistent service delivery.

To address these challenges, FSMB launched a CX transformation initiative focused on centralization, standardization, and operational scalability. In less than 12 months, FSMB staff:

• Built and staffed a centralized Customer Experience team
• Implemented and operationalized Zendesk as a unified support platform
• Established an enterprise support model serving all major FSMB programs
• Scaled the function to a dedicated 17-person team aligned with organizational needs

During this period, the CX team supported more than 85,000 customer interactions, including 46,715 phone calls and 38,735 emails, reflecting both the scale of demand and the capabilities of the new centralized model.

This transformation represents more than an operational adjustment; it establishes the foundation of a scalable, enterprise-wide customer experience strategy that will support FSMB’s mission and evolving priorities in the years ahead.

In January 2025, the USMLE Service Transition launched in two phases, consolidating USMLE Step exam services, including exam registration, score report delivery, and customer service, under the USMLE co‑sponsors, FSMB and NBME.

In phase one, Step 1 and Step 2 CK services previously provided to students and graduates of international medical schools (IMGs) by ECFMG transitioned to FSMB, which now manages all USMLE Step exam services for IMGs. In phase two, Step 3 services previously provided to graduates of U.S. medical schools by FSMB transitioned to NBME, which now manages all USMLE Step exam services for students and graduates of U.S. medical schools.

Over more than a year and a half, FSMB staff worked closely with colleagues at NBME and ECFMG to plan and implement the transition. The new model clarifies roles among the co‑sponsors, simplifies the examinee experience, and creates a more consistent and efficient process for USMLE applicants worldwide.

The 2025 Board Attorneys Workshop took place on November 6-7 in Philadelphia, PA, bringing together 76 attorneys and other state medical board staff representing 27 medical and osteopathic boards from across the country. The program focused on a range of critical and emerging issues facing the state medical board community, with an emphasis on the evolving legal landscape and complex disciplinary matters.

This year’s agenda examined the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on administrative law, the corporate practice of medicine, current prescribing and compounding laws, and strategies for navigating complex disciplinary cases. Participants also explored the changing regulatory environment for international medical graduates, including how shifting policy and workforce needs intersect with board responsibilities. An ethics session on the duties and responsibilities of pro se respondents rounded out the program, highlighting practical considerations when physicians appear without legal representation.

FSMB’s Board Attorneys Workshop was first introduced in 1998 as a three-hour session during the Annual Meeting. As the specialized legal content and member interest grew, it became clear that a dedicated forum was needed. In 2007, FSMB hosted the first stand-alone Board Attorneys Workshop in Kansas City, drawing 41 attendees from across the country. Over the next decade, the Workshop has evolved into an annual event focused on advancing the legal and regulatory knowledge of medical board attorneys, while expanding its reach and impact. Today, the event is recognized as an important continuing education and networking opportunity for board legal staff.

In recent years, several state medical boards have recognized that trauma-informed training can significantly improve how boards conduct investigations involving sexual assault. When allegations involve sexual misconduct, the way boards interact with complainants can shape the accuracy, fairness, and completeness of an investigation.

In response to growing interest from the state medical board community – and in alignment with recommendations from FSMB’s 2020 policy on Physician Sexual Misconduct – FSMB hosted an educational session in February 2026 titled “Trauma Informed Regulatory Training: From Theory to Practice.” The training drew 87 attendees representing 43 state medical boards, underscoring strong engagement and commitment within the regulatory community.

Drawing on current best practices and featuring expert faculty, the session provided attendees with foundational knowledge and practical skills related to the neurobiology of trauma. Participants examined how trauma can influence memory, behavior, and disclosure, and explored how these insights can be applied to interviews, investigations, and case evaluations.

By integrating trauma-informed principles into regulatory practice, boards are better equipped to conduct thorough, sensitive investigations while maintaining their core mandate of public protection.

FSMB’s Board of Directors participated in its annual Hill Day on March 4, 2026, meeting in person with more than 35 Congressional offices in Washington, DC. Discussions focused on two priorities:

• Continued funding for Provider Bridge as a critical resource for the nation’s emergency preparedness and response efforts
• Advancing the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act, which would clarify statutory language regarding states’ authority to conduct FBI criminal background checks associated with interstate licensure compacts

These conversations highlight FSMB’s ongoing role in federal advocacy to support a flexible, well-prepared health care workforce and effective licensure pathways across state lines.

In 2025–26, FSMB’s Education Department completed a comprehensive update of its online educational modules designed to deepen understanding of medical regulation in the United States. This effort resulted in the development of six new multimedia modules addressing key aspects of state medical boards, including:

• The role of state medical boards
• Navigating the health care regulatory landscape
• The physician’s role in public trust
• Getting and maintaining a license to practice
• Understanding the complaint process
• Physician well‑being and ethical decision‑making

The modules are especially valuable for medical board members, practicing physicians, medical students, residents, and others seeking a clearer understanding of how medical regulation protects the public and supports professional practice.

In total, 12 subject-matter experts contributed to the project at various stages, from initial concept through final development. Each module runs 15-20 minutes and is accredited for CME credit. The series is a key component of FSMB’s broader mission to enhance education in medical regulation and promote excellence in public protection and professional accountability. The new modules were showcased at the 2026 Annual Meeting, providing members and partners with a first look at the updated content.

More than 550 medical regulators convened April 30–May 1 in Baltimore for FSMB's 2026 Annual Meeting. The meeting opened with a panel discussion featuring leaders from prominent healthcare organizations, including Dr. Troyen Brennan, adjunct professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Kathleen Creason, Chief Executive Officer of the American Osteopathic Association; and Dr. John Whyte, CEO and Executive VP of the American Medical Association. The three joined FSMB Chair Dr. George Abraham and President and CEO Dr. Humayun Chaudhry in a wide-ranging conversation on how medical regulation has evolved to meet new challenges, especially the introduction of more autonomous versions of Artificial Intelligence, where improvements can be made, and how the field must continue to adapt to support physicians, patients, and innovation in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

The panel was followed by a review of the Federation's accomplishments over the last fiscal year, including a historic transformation of the USMLE, significant advancements in education and public engagement through the launch of new educational modules, and the Care Matters national public service announcement campaign, both highlighting the work and impact of state medical boards. The morning concluded with the FSMB Awards Ceremony, recognizing the contributions of industry leaders. Session recordings are available online.

Over the course of three days, attendees participated in role-specific forums and concurrent sessions on topics including AI in medicine, mandated continuing medical education, transparency in discipline, and regulatory frameworks for medical spas and psychedelic care. During the Spotlight Poster Sessions, more than 30 research posters were presented by boards and healthcare organizations across the country, examining topics such as the rise of neurodivergent diagnoses among clinicians and its implications for care delivery, as well as public perceptions of reporting on substandard care and misconduct.

Featured keynote speakers brought additional depth to the program. Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health and leader of the Human Genome Project, shared insights from his career shaping biomedical research and health policy. The FSMB Foundation Luncheon featured Dr. Lisa Rosenbaum, a cardiologist and national correspondent for The New England Journal of Medicine. Drawing on stories from training, practice, and her work writing about the human side of health care, Dr. Rosenbaum reflected on how major shifts in the healthcare landscape have reshaped what it means to be a physician.

During the annual House of Delegates Meeting, Mark B. Woodland, MS, MD (Pennsylvania Medical), was elected Chair-elect of the FSMB Board of Directors. Danny Takanishi, Jr., MD (Hawaii) and Erin L. Cramer, PA-C (Oregon), were elected as Board members. Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, was installed as Chair of the FSMB Board of Directors for 2026-2027.

FSMB's 2027 Annual Meeting will be held April 15-17 in Oklahoma City.

Audit Committee

Sherif Zaafran, MD (Chair), Texas
Milton C. Bond, Jr., Wisconsin
Ed Cousineau, JD, Nevada Medical
Mark Spangler, MA, CMBE, West Virginia Medical
Ramanathan (Ram) Raju, MD, MBA, New York State

Ex Officio:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana
Shawn P. Parker, JD, MPA, North Carolina

Bylaws Committee

Elizabeth A. Huntley, JD (Chair), Minnesota
Subrahmanya Bhat, MD, Georgia
Peter P. Michaud, JD, RN, Main Osteopathic
Jade D. James-Halbert, MD, MPH, Missouri
Wesley Zeger, DO, Nebraska

Ex Officio:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana

Education Committee

George M. Abraham, MD, MPH (Chair), Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana
Katie L. Templeton, JD, Oklahoma Osteopathic
Christine A. Farrelly, MS, Maryland
Vinu Ganti, MD, Maryland
Randy Litman, DO, Pennsylvania
Krishna Madiraju, MD, Virginia
Denise Pines, MBA, California Osteopathic
Shelly L. Wang Bandago, MPA, New York PMC

Ethics and Professionalism Committee

Gerard (Gerry) Dillon, PhD (Chair), Pennsylvania Medical
Andrea A. Anderson, MD, MEd, District of Columbia
Erin Cramer, PA-C, Oregon
Anuradha (Anu) Rao-Patel, MD, North Carolina
George Zachos, JD, Massachusetts
Michelle Owens, MD, Mississippi
Felix Yip, MD, California
David Fleming, University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine
J. Michael Wieting, DO, MEd, Tennessee Osteopathic

Ex Officio:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana

Finance Committee

Shawn P. Parker, JD, MPA (Chair), North Carolina
Jorge A. Alsip, MD, MBA, Alabama MLC
Justin Bohall, CMBE, Arizona Osteopathic
Tomeka Herod, Texas
Jane Willett, DO, Minnesota

Ex Officio:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana

Journal Oversight Committee

Mark B. Woodland, MS, MD (Chair), Pennsylvania Medical
Harry Cayton, BA, Harry Cayton, Inc.
Maroulla Gleaton, MD, Maine Medical
Maria Michaelis, MD, Nebraska
Shawn P. Parker, JD, North Carolina
Gail Sullivan, MD, MPH, Connecticut
Anna van der Gaag, MSc, PhD, University of Surrey

Nominating Committee

Katie L. Templeton, JD (Chair), Oklahoma Osteopathic
Scot N. Ackerman, MD, Florida Medical
Clarence P. Chou, MD, Wisconsin
Koomarie (Shoba) Gaymes, Mississippi
Naveed Razzaque, MD, Missouri
Andy R. Tanner, DO, West Virginia Osteopathic
Dondré D. Young, Michigan Medical

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

Jon V. Thomas, MD, MBA, Minnesota
Jacqueline A. Watson, DO, MBA, District of Columbia

ACCME Accreditation Review Committee (ARC)

Lois E. Krahn, MD, Arizona Medical
Hemesh M. Patel, DO, MS, California Osteopathic
Anne N. Perch, MBA

American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)

Jeffrey D. Carter, MD, Missouri

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Melissa J. Michaud, PA-C, BS, Maine Osteopathic

USMLE Budget Committee

George M. Abraham, MD, MACP, Massachusetts
Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, MACP, FSMB
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana
Shawn P. Parker, JD, MPA, North Carolina
Todd A. Phillips, MBA, FSMB

USMLE Composite Committee

Jeffrey D. Carter, MD, Missouri
Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, MACP, FSMB
Kristin A. Spanjian, MD, Montana
Sarvam P. TerKonda, MD, Florida Medical
Cheryl L. Walker-McGill, MD, MBA, North Carolina

Alternate: Lois E. Krahn, MD, Arizona

Advisory Council of Board Executives

Stephen Brint Carlton, JD, Texas
Sandra DePountis, JD, North Dakota
Elizabeth A. Huntley, JD, CMBE, Minnesota
Micah T. Matthews, MPA, Washington MC
William M. Perkins, MJA, Alabama ME

Ex Officio Members:
Kenneth E. Cleveland, MD, Mississippi
Edward O. Cousineau, JD, Nevada Medical
Mark A. Spangler, MA, CMBE, Administrators in Medicine
Timothy E. Terranova, Administrators in Medicine

FCVS Advisory Council

Roxanne Chamberlain, MBA (Chair), National Association of Medical Staff Services
Susan Collier, CHG Healthcare Services
Liana Puscas, MD, Duke University
Connie Riedel, CPMSM, CPCS, National Association of Medical Staff Services
Michelle Stultz, RN, National Association of Medical Staff Services

State Board Advisory Panel to the USMLE

Stephen J. Boese, MSW, New York State
Stephen (Brint) Carlton, JD, Texas
Gerard (Gerry) Dillon, PhD, Pennsylvania Medical
Shami Goyal, MD, MMM, Illinois
Guillermo Guzman, MD, Idaho
Mustafa (Mark) Hamed, MD, Michigan Medical
David K. Herlihy, Esq., Vermont Medical
Maria LaPorta, MD, Illinois
Rebecca Robbins, Alabama MLC
Mark Spangler, MA, West Virginia Medical

Workgroup on Oversight of Clinical Decision-Making

Alexios G. Carayannopoulos, DO, MPH (Chair), Rhode Island
Kate Berry, AHIP
Frederick (Freddy) Chen, MD, American Medical Association
Dustin J. Colegrove, DO, MBA, Washington Osteopathic
Maroulla Gleaton, MD, Maine
Yolanda Lawson, MDNational Medical Association
Joshua D. Lenchus, DO, American Osteopathic Association Trustee
Kiran R. Patel, MD, West Virginia
Anuradha Rao-Patel, MD, North Carolina
Robert (Chuck) Rich, Jr., MD, North Carolina
Waqar A. Saleem, MD, Kentucky
Quinn Shean, JD, Tusk Venture Partners
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana
Mark B. Woodland, MS, MD, Pennsylvania Medical
Yanling Yu, PhD, Washington Medical
Sherif Zaafran, MD, Texas

Ex Officio:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana

Workgroup on Trends in Prescribing and Dispensing

Christine Khandelwal DO, MHPE (Chair), North Carolina
Nicole (Nicki) Chopski, PharmD, ANP, Idaho
Kenneth (Ken) Cleveland, MD, Mississippi
Joy Eckert, MPH, The Reagan-Udall Foundation
Kathryn (Kathy) Emmett, Esq., Connecticut
Shami Goyal, MD, MMM, Illinois
Anjali Gupta, MBBS, MPH, Minnesota
Alexander (Alex) Gross, MD, Georgia
Kristin Hellquist, MS, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association
Stephanie Loucka, JD, Ohio
Phyllis Polk-Johnson, DNP, APRN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Susan C. Winckler, RPh, Esq., The Reagan-Udall Foundation

Ex Officio:

George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, Massachusetts
Christy L. Valentine Theard, MD, MBA, Louisiana

The Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented in recognition of individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary and sustained service and commitment to the field of medical licensure and discipline.

Peter J. Katsufrakis, MD, MBA
President and CEO
National Board of Medical Examiners

Peter J. Katsufrakis, MD, MBA, is president and CEO of NBME and a board-certified family physician. His professional focus is to improve the quality of care provided to patients through effective assessment of health care professionals. In this role he leads NBME to grow as an ally helping health professionals maximize their mastery and performance. He recognizes that assessment systems drive learning and behavior, ensure satisfaction of education and training requirements, and provide potent tools for the health professions to self-regulate in the best interests of patients. He is a past associate dean for student affairs at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and has served as national chair of the Group on Student Affairs of the AAMC. Dr. Katsufrakis earned his medical doctorate from the University of California, San Diego, completed his family medicine residency at Santa Monica Hospital, and earned an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Ralph Loomis, MD, FACS Past Member and Treasurer
Federation of State Medical Boards; North Carolina Medical Board; FSMB Foundation

Ralph Loomis, MD, FACS, graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine, where he completed his neurosurgery residency in 1982. Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Loomis is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He was selected to co-direct UNC School of Medicine’s Asheville neurosurgical residency program in 2018. In 2021, after 39 years of neurosurgical practice at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, Dr. Loomis was awarded the George M. Bilbrey, Jr., MD Medical Staff Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Loomis served on the North Carolina Medical Board 2005–2012, serving as President in 2012. He served on the FSMB Board 2013–2020, serving as Treasurer 2017–2020, and served the FSMB Foundation Board as Treasurer 2018–2025. Currently, Dr. Loomis serves on the NBME Finance and Audit Committee.

The Leadership Award

Presented in recognition of individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary and sustained service and commitment to the field of medical licensure and discipline.

Sandra DePountis, JD
Executive Director
North Dakota Board of Medicine

Sandra DePountis, JD has served as executive director of the North Dakota Board of Medicine since October 2020. In her leadership role, she oversees the operations of the NDBOM, provides guidance and advice to the 15 members of the board, and serves as liaison to the legislature and other stakeholder groups to develop sound statutory and regulatory frameworks, informed by national best practices, that protect public health and safety. Prior to her current position, Ms. DePountis served for eight years in North Dakota’s Office of Attorney General. As general counsel for several state licensing and regulatory boards, she advised her clients on administrative law and regulatory oversight. Ms. DePountis graduated, with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law. She is a member of the FSMB’s Advisory Council of Board Executives, serves as the Central Regional Representative for AIM, and is an IMLC Commissioner.

The Distinguished Service Award

Presented in recognition of the highest level of service, commitment, and contribution to FSMB; the advancement of the profession of medical licensure and discipline; and the strengthening and enhancement of public protection.

Harold J. Sauer, MD
Board Member
Connecticut Medical Examining Board

Harold J. Sauer, MD, was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Owosso. He earned his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Michigan and his MD from Wayne State University. Following his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology fellowship, both at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, he became a faculty member at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine for 22 years. In 2007, he became chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale New Haven Health – Bridgeport Hospital and served as clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Sauer served nine years on the Michigan Board of Medicine (three as chair) and has served seven years on the Connecticut Medical Examining Board. He was elected to the FSMB Board of Directors for five years and served on the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education board for six years.

The Award of Merit

Presented in recognition of an activity or contribution that has positively impacted and strengthened medical licensure and discipline and helped enhance public protection.

Rick Glein, JD
Director of Legal Services
Washington Medical Commission

Rick Glein, JD, is director of legal services for the Washington Medical Commission. He previously spent more than 20 years defending claims and lawsuits for major national insurers and their insureds in the Seattle area, handling matters ranging from personal injury to special investigations (fraud/SIU) claims and suits. He drew on this experience when he began working with the Washington Medical Commission in 2014. Mr. Glein is responsible for 17 FTEs, including 8 attorneys, a medical consultant, and support staff. He and his team review 1,500–2,000 complaints per year that result in about 180 disciplinary cases annually. He assisted in drafting Washington’s new opioid rules, works on the U.S. Attorneys (Western District of Washington) Healthcare Fraud Task Group, and serves as a liaison between the commission and federal partners including the DEA, DOJ, FDA, OIG-HHS, and MFCU.

Jill Shaw, DO
Board Member
Oregon Medical Board

Jill Shaw, DO, began her medical career in Oregon working for a rural hospital on the coast in 2005 and has been enthusiastic about patient safety and professionalism ever since. She served as a consultant to the Oregon Medical Board as a board-certified OB/GYN starting in 2019 and earned certification in Healthcare Quality and Management in 2020. Dr. Shaw participated on the Investigative Committee since her appointment to the Oregon Medical Board in 2020, served as IC Chair and board vice-chair in 2024, and became chair in 2025. She currently leads the Internationally Trained Physician workgroup. Dr. Shaw remains a clinician well-being advocate at the three hospital systems where she maintains staff membership. During her time in executive leadership at The Oregon Clinic, the organization was recognized by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission as Leaders in Transparency.

The JMR Award for Distinguished Scholarship

Presented in recognition of an outstanding objective, scholarly contribution to the Journal of Medical Regulation.

Tyler S. Gibb, JD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Ethics, Humanities and Law
Western Michigan University School of Medicine

Tyler S. Gibb, JD, PhD, is Associate Professor and founding Co-Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics, Humanities & Law at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and serves as a clinical ethicist with Bronson Healthcare Group. He is co-author of the article “Sex, Drugs, and Continuing Education: Analysis of Professional Misconduct by Healthcare Licensees in Michigan (2011–2023),” which is being recognized with the 2026 JMR Award for Distinguished Scholarship. Trained in health law, healthcare ethics, and clinical ethics consultation, his scholarship examines the intersection of ethical norms, legal structures, and professional accountability in medicine. His work addresses clinical ethics, professionalism, surrogate decision-making, psychiatric ethics, and professional misconduct, and has appeared in venues including The New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, CHEST, American Journal of Bioethics, Journal of Medical Ethics, and Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics.

The JMR Award for Excellence in Editorial Writing

Presented in recognition of an outstanding editorial contribution to the Journal of Medical Regulation.

Zubin Austin, MBA, PhD
Professor and the Murray Koffler Chair in Management
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Zubin Austin, MBA, PhD, is professor and Murray Koffler Research Chair at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation – Temerty Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto, Canada. He is principal investigator for the Future of Regulation in this Era of Skepticism, Indifference, Technology, and Evidence-collapse (FORESITE) project. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed manuscripts and authored five textbooks, including Regulation of the Profession in the 21st Century, to be published in June 2026. In 2017, in recognition of the global impact of his research, he was installed as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He is the only University of Toronto professor to have received both the President’s Teaching Award for sustained excellence as an educator and the President’s Research Impact Award for the societal significance of his work. He has been named undergraduate Professor of the Year by students on 20 occasions.

In Memoriam

This year, we honor the memories of dedicated leaders whose commitment to medical regulation left a meaningful mark on our community. Their contributions to this work endure in the standards and values they helped shape.

Robert L. Frayser, DO
1950-2026
Kansas Board of Healing Arts

Aaron Satloff, MD
New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct
1934-2025

Jill Phalen Reardon
State Medical Board of Ohio
1957-2025