NBME has selected seven recipients of the 2024 Edithe J. Levit
Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their enduring
commitment and contributions to the organization and assessment in
medical education.
Established in 1983, the Distinguished Service Award is named in
honor of former NBME president Edithe J. Levit. Dr. Levit made
history as the first woman president of a national medical
association when she assumed leadership of NBME in 1977. Her
enduring legacy continues to influence the medical education
assessment community today.
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award are selected from
individuals retiring from the NBME Council and others who have
served NBME exceptionally in their dedication to research related
to the evaluation of health professionals.
“We are proud to acknowledge these seven exceptional
individuals,” Susan Deitch, NBME Secretary of the Board, said. “The
unwavering dedication of our volunteers is truly invaluable to
NBME’s work.”
The following individuals are recognized for their dedication
and contributions to NBME.
Randolph J. Canterbury, MD, MS
Dr. Canterbury is the Wilford W. Spradlin Professor Emeritus of
psychiatry and neurobehavioral science at the University of
Virginia School of Medicine. He was senior associate dean for
education and interim dean prior to his retirement in 2021. Dr.
Canterbury has been a member of the Liaison Committee on Medical
Education (LCME) since 2023 and currently acts as a survey team
secretary.
He received a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Science and a Doctor
of Medicine from West Virginia University. He completed his
postgraduate training in psychiatry and internal medicine at the
University of Virginia. Dr. Canterbury is certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology in psychiatry, with added qualifications in psychosomatic
medicine, and by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Dr. Canterbury has been affiliated with NBME since 1996, where
he has been involved in United States Medical Licensing
Examination® (USMLE®) test development and physician competency
assessment.
“It has been a privilege to serve NBME regarding USMLE test
development and physician competency assessment since 1996,” Dr.
Canterbury said. “When the American Psychiatric Association
requested I serve as the organization’s representative to NBME, I
was pleased to do it and had no idea it would take so many turns
over all these years. I feel it is a privilege to help in the
physician licensure process. In return, besides a sense of
accomplishment, I have gotten to know so many capable people,
including many new colleagues from across the country, and I have
learned so much about assessment that I have applied in my
professional roles.”
Denise M. Dupras, MD, PhD
Dr. Dupras is an associate professor of medicine at the Mayo
Clinic Alix School of Medicine, where she also serves as assistant
dean for academic medicine. She is a legacy member of the Academy
of Educational Excellence and the associate director for education
for the Center for Individualized Medicine on the Rochester,
Minnesota, campus of the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Dupras has also been a
member of the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination test
development committee of the American College of Physicians, the
Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM)
council, the APDIM survey committee and the Alliance for Academic
Internal Medicine Governance Committee.
She received a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Ferris State
College and completed a simultaneous Doctor of Medicine and Doctor
of Philosophy, with a focus on pharmacology, from the Mayo Clinic
Alix School of Medicine, formerly the Mayo Medical School. Dr.
Dupras completed her residency in internal medicine at the Mayo
Clinic in Rochester.
During her tenure as a primary care internist at the Division of
Community Internal Medicine, Dr. Dupras attended an NBME
Item-Writing Workshop. This workshop inspired her to get involved
with the organization, marking the beginning of years of dedicated
service to NBME.
“It is an honor to receive this award and very unexpected,” Dr.
Dupras said. “From the first time I came to NBME, I have been
impressed with the professionalism of everyone at the organization.
Each committee has afforded me with new learning opportunities, not
only medical knowledge, but in the ability to develop questions and
answers. These are skills that are not easily acquired, and I will
be forever grateful for the many years I have been able to
serve.”
Kathleen A. Jones, MD
Dr. Jones serves at the University of Texas at Tyler School of
Medicine. She practiced as a board-certified surgical pathologist
for over 20 years at Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital in
Temple, Texas. A longtime educator, she has extensive experience in
teaching medical students and residents. With her strong interest
in curriculum development and implementation, she recognizes and
appreciates the value of high-quality assessments.
She received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Texas
A&M University and a Doctor of Medicine from Texas A&M
University College of Medicine. Dr. Jones completed her pathology
residency at Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital in
Temple.
One of the highlights of her career has been serving as a
volunteer on committees at NBME and working with the USMLE
program.
“I truly value the relationships I have with fellow volunteer
faculty and the team members at NBME,” Dr. Jones said. “I have
learned so much from experts in assessment and fellow faculty
colleagues through my volunteer opportunities. It is so rewarding
to know the work we do, as respected medical educators, serves to
protect the health of those in our communities. It is an honor to
be recognized with this award.”
Steve Lieberman, MD, FACP
Dr. Lieberman is a professor in the department of internal
medicine at the University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine –
Phoenix. He has devoted his academic career to medical student
education, serving in a variety of roles in deans’ offices for 21
years, including 16 years at the University of Texas (UT) Medical
Branch in Galveston, one year as interim dean at the UT Rio Grande
Valley School of Medicine and four years as senior associate dean
for academic affairs at the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix. His
scholarly work in medical education has focused on curriculum
improvement and competency-based education and includes an NBME
Edward J. Stemmler M.D. Medical Education Research Grant in
2001.
He received a Bachelor of Science from Stanford University and a
Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern
Medical School. Dr. Lieberman completed his internal medicine
residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and his fellowship
in endocrinology and metabolism at Stanford Medical Center.
Dr. Lieberman actively participated in NBME test development
committees for 17 years, beginning with the Physiology and Cell
Biology Test Materials Development Committee, which he chaired for
four years. He was also a member of Interdisciplinary Review
committees, the USMLE Management Committee and several ad hoc
initiatives.
“I am humbled to receive this award, as I admire the past
recipients that I have known,” Dr. Lieberman said. “It is
especially meaningful coming from NBME, which is an outstanding
organization with an important mission.”
Christopher Martin, MD, MS, FRCPC
Dr. Martin is a professor of medicine and public health and
director of the Global Engagement Office for the Health Sciences
Center at West Virginia University. He is also a visiting scholar
at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain. Dr. Martin
is a fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in
occupational medicine and the American College of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). He is the 2022 recipient of ACOEM’s
Excellence in Education or Research Award.
He received a Bachelor of Science from McGill University, a
Master of Science from the University of Alberta and a Doctor of
Medicine from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Dr. Martin’s involvement with NBME began in 2007, and he has
been involved in several test development committees, writing and
reviewing questions for the USMLE. He recently completed an
eight-year term on the NBME Council and currently serves on the
Global Advisory Committee.
“Of all my external professional engagements, I consider my work
with NBME the most satisfying,” Dr. Martin said. “It has been my
privilege to have benefited from professional growth and
rejuvenation over my years of working with a first-class
organization, which has been a reward in and of itself. Serving on
committees with gifted medical educators from across the country
and world is the most effective continuing medical education one
could ask for.”
Florencia Greer Polite, MD
Dr. Polite is a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology
(OBGYN) and serves as chief of the Division of Academic Specialists
and vice chair of clinical operations in OBGYN at Penn Medicine in
Philadelphia. She is a fellow of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a member of the Association of
Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and a member of the
Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
She received a Bachelor of Science from Harvard College and a
Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine. Dr. Polite completed her residency training in obstetrics
and gynecology at New York University and Bellevue hospitals. She
is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
Dr. Polite has held numerous volunteer roles with the USMLE
program, including on the Step 2 Clinical Skills Test Material
Development and Interdisciplinary Review committees, as well as a
recent term on the Patient Characteristics Advisory Panel. She has
also served on the NBME Council and the NBME Finance and Audit
Committees.
"Serving on the USMLE and NBME committees has really been an
integral part of my academic career,” Dr. Polite said. “I have a
profound respect and admiration for the due diligence of committee
members, as we have participated in decision-making processes
around test development, security and finances. I have met some
truly wonderful colleagues along the way, and I am humbled to
receive this honor."
Jeff Susman, MD
Dr. Susman serves as senior associate dean and professor of
family medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch John
Sealy School of Medicine. He is a past president of the Nebraska
Academy of Family Physicians and acted as a member and chair of
multiple American Academy of Family Physicians commissions,
committees and task forces. Dr. Susman was also a member of the
board of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and has been an
active LCME survey chair, leading almost 20 accreditation
visits.
He received a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College and a
Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School.
Dr. Susman has been involved with NBME as a member of the
Council and a representative on the USMLE Composite Committee,
along with multiple test development committees. He has been a
member of the Finance and Audit Committees, the USMLE Finance
Committee, and the Committee for Individualized Review.
These exemplary individuals join the prestigious ranks of
Distinguished Service Award recipients, upholding the remarkable
legacy of Dr. Levit on behalf of NBME.
About NBME
NBME offers a versatile selection of high-quality assessments
and educational services for students, professionals, educators and
institutions dedicated to the evolving needs of medical education
and health care. To serve these communities, we collaborate with a
comprehensive array of professionals including test developers,
academic researchers, scoring experts, practicing physicians,
medical educators, state medical board members and public
representatives.
Together with the Federation of State Medical Boards, NBME
develops and manages the United States Medical Licensing
Examination®. In addition, we are committed to meeting the needs of
educators and learners globally with assessment products and expert
services such as Subject Examinations, Customized Assessment
Services, Self-Assessments, the International Foundations of
Medicine® and Item-Writing Workshops.
We also provide medical education funding and mentorship through
the Latin America Grants Program, Stemmler Grants and Strategic
Educators Enhancement Fellowship, which serve to advance assessment
at educators’ and health professionals’ own institutions. Learn
more about NBME at NBME.org.
Joseph Nole
NBME
(215) 590-9832
jnole@nbme.org