SOM’s Kountz nominated to National Board of Medical Examiners Membership

David Kountz, MD, MBA, FACP, the associate dean for Diversity and Equity at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, has been nominated for election to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) as a member-at-large.

Kountz, who is also vice president of academic affairs at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and the co-chief academic officer for Hackensack Meridian Health, was notified of the honor  in late January, and is expected to start his four-year term in late March.

“In the world of medical education, this is great for our school,” Kountz said. “I’m proud I could help make it happen, and I’m looking forward to helping further our mission through this appointment.”

The NBME membership includes approximately 80 people from across the country. These members are variously: nominated by organizations in the “house of medicine”; individuals elected as at-large members; and individuals representing the NBME’s testing committees (i.e., volunteers who develop content for the United States Medical Licensing Examination and other examinations developed by NBME).

Kountz’s nomination is as a member-at-large. His term will begin with election during the business session of the annual meeting of the NBME membership on March 25. (A virtual meeting this year, due to COVID-19).

According to the NBME:

“The major responsibility of membership is to participate in the NBME annual meeting, typically on a Thursday and Friday in late March or early April in Philadelphia. During annual meetings, NBME members provide advice on major policy recommendations and strategic guidance for the NBME and its board of directors, the Executive Board.  Every second year, the membership also elects individuals to fill at-large positions in the membership and the at-large and officer positions on our board of directors, the Executive Board.”

“In addition to participation in the annual meeting, membership is a qualification for a number of NBME committee assignments and for election to the Executive Board,” according to the organization.

“This nomination is a wonderful and well-deserved honor. This is a significant achievement for Dr. Kountz — and for all of Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Bonita Stanton, M.D., the founding dean of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.