Recently, the NBOME reached an important milestone in its advocacy efforts, having reached out to 500 graduate medical education (GME) programs and visiting student learning opportunities (VSLO) to inform and educate on the COMLEX-USA credential and its role in DO licensure.
The connections made between the NBOME and these programs have helped ensure information related to COMLEX-USA is clear and current, so that when DO applicants research programs, they have reliable information.
Click the button below to view programs the NBOME has contacted.
Many programs have removed practices and requirements that were not inclusive of DO applicants or of COMLEX-USA credentials. In many circumstances, programs have been pleased to discover and understand the NBOME percentile score converter, which helps users better understand COMLEX-USA scores within context.
DO students have been an essential partner in identifying GME and VSLO programs with public-facing information showing the requirement for both USMLE scores and COMLEX-USA scores. Through a web form, DO students and the larger osteopathic community can submit a request to the NBOME about programs with perceived application barriers.
Unless otherwise specified, the NBOME ensures complete anonymity and does not name its source when reaching out to programs.
When Aryanah Assar, DO—now a PGY-1 at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY—was researching residency programs in pathology, she noticed a particular program required USMLE scores, and did not accept COMLEX-USA scores. When she shared this finding with the NBOME, the advocacy team contacted the program directly to inquire about the information.
As a result, the residency program updated its website to accurately reflect the acceptance of COMLEX-USA to meet its application and licensing exam requirements.
“Knowing that licensure scores can play a major role in filtering candidates, this was a huge win and really made me feel like I was actually making an impact,” said Assar.
Aside from working with DO students, the NBOME collaborates with peer organizations such as the American Osteopathic Organization, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and more, as well as state osteopathic organizations, to increase understanding of osteopathic medical students and their qualifications. These collaborations have also helped to create change for DO students in the residency application process.
“DOs and osteopathic organizations are united in advocating for our learners and patients by promoting equitable educational opportunities and addressing differences faced by DOs and DO students,” said NBOME President and CEO John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, who was recently recognized by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians with the Excellence in Advocacy Award.
He added, “Recognizing the unique and valuable qualifications of all applicants is essential to fostering a diverse educational environment, strengthening the quality of graduate medical education nationwide, and ultimately enhancing the care we provide to our patients and communities.”