It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I step into the role of Chair of the FSMB Board of Directors. I am both humbled by the trust that has been placed in me and energized by the opportunity to serve an organization whose mission and impact I deeply admire. I am passionate and deeply committed to both patient safety and physician well-being—and I know you are too.
As the FSMB's 2025–2026 leadership team begins our work, we are committed to maintaining and strengthening our ability to look to the future while ensuring that we are well-positioned to address the challenges of tomorrow, which medical regulators will inevitably face. We must be prepared for the changes that will shape and impact our community.
In the year to come, the FSMB and its leadership will be fully committed to each of its member boards to help them continue their strong record of success—focusing on several key areas:
Advocacy
The FSMB's Advocacy Office, based in Washington, DC, continues to monitor legislative and policy developments to help keep our member boards informed of what is happening in Congress and state houses across the country. One of the priorities of the Advocacy team is to support the work of the Advisory Commission on Additional Licensing Models, which was formed by FSMB, ACGME, and Intealth to assist states as they develop and modify additional licensing pathways for internationally trained physicians. The Commission released its first set of recommendations earlier in 2025 and is finalizing a public comment period for a second set of recommendations that will be released later this year.
At the federal level, Advocacy staff are working to support the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act in both the US House and Senate. Introduced in March 2025, the SHARE Act adds a technical amendment to existing federal law to clearly authorize the FBI to conduct criminal background checks for state medical boards and other licensing agencies for the purpose of interstate licensure compacts. FSMB has endorsed this legislation.
Education and Communication
FSMB's Education Department continues to develop innovative programming that meets the needs of our member boards and learners. In 2024, FSMB accredited 39 continuing medical education (CME) activities, a nearly 30% increase over 2023. The activities accredited included 3 live, in-person events, 11 live internet courses, and 25 web-based enduring activities for a total of 63.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit hours. Topics covered a wide variety of areas and regulatory related issues including applying a trauma-informed approach to licensees, addressing IV hydration, ketamine, and other unregulated treatments, should medical regulation be kinder, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and more. In addition to the educational activities developed and provided directly by the FSMB, the organization also jointly provided CME activities in partnership with the North Carolina Medical Board, the Washington Medical Commission, and the NBME.
FSMB's annual Board Attorneys Workshop will take place in Philadelphia, PA on November 6-7, 2025, and an in-person training on Trauma Informed Regulation will be held in New Orleans, LA on February 27, 2026.
The first of our three-part New Board Member Training program, offered online for the second year in a row, has just been completed. The training is offered in three 2-hour segments in June, July, and August.
FSMB has several online educational modules available on its website which were developed nearly a decade ago. We are currently updating these modules with new content and a more modern look and feel. The modules are intended for board members and staff, practicing physicians, medical students, and anyone interested in medical regulation.
We are, of course, gearing up for the FSMB's Annual Meeting 2026, which will be held in Baltimore, MD, on April 30-May 2. The FSMB Education Committee held an in-person meeting in Baltimore on June 23, 2025. This group, made up of representatives from FSMB's member state medical boards, will set the educational direction for the coming year and help determine the content of our webinar offerings, as well as the Annual Meeting sessions.
The Journal of Medical Regulation (JMR), published by FSMB since 1913, continues to grow and expand. In 2024, JMR saw a 35% increase in original manuscript submissions. The JMR online journal saw a 12% increase in online accesses with the usage coming from a total of 137 countries (58% from the US and 42% from international readers).
The future of FSMB is bright, fueled by our shared commitment to collaboration, engagement, and partnership. I am confident that, together, we will continue to achieve meaningful progress. I look forward to building on our momentum as we explore new opportunities to strengthen public protection. Thank you for the privilege of joining you on this exciting journey.
