Geoffrey Talmon, MD, professor of pathology and microbiology and associate dean for medical education for the UNMC College of Medicine, has been elected as a member at large to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), which delivers the United States Medical Licensing Examination, the group of state-recognized licensure examinations taken by all medical students.
NBME membership includes approximately 80 people, drawn from individuals nominated by medical organizations, individuals elected as at-large members, and individuals representing medical test committees.
Dr. Talmon’s four-year term will begin on March 25. In his NBME role, he will meet annually with other NBME members to provide advice on major policy recommendations and strategic guidance for the NBME and its board of directors.
Dr. Talmon, who also holds a master’s degree in education, noted that this is a time of immense change for the NBME, as the organization grapples with medical education and testing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are a lot of things happening,” he said, pointing to changes in pre-clinical test scoring and the suspension of the traditional out-of-state clinical skills evaluations. “It’s a very exciting time to be involved.”
His new role, Dr. Talmon said, “provides our institution with not only a working knowledge of NBME decision-making, which will benefit our students as well as our educational program within the college, but also an opportunity to have a voice as testing continues to evolve.”
Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, congratulated Dr. Talmon on his election.
“From his work with the Interprofessional Academy of Educators to his recent selection as educator laureate at UNMC, Dr. Talmon has always been passionate about our academic mission at the College of Medicine and UNMC,” Dr. Britigan said. “He will be a great asset to the NBME as academic medicine moves into the post-COVID world and beyond.”