National physician licensing organization elects UB’s Milling to executive board

BUFFALO, N.Y. — David A. Milling, MD, senior associate dean of student and academic affairs in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, has been elected an at-large member of the executive board of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

Milling, also an associate professor of medicine in the Jacobs School, has been a member of NBME since 2012 as a representative of the Association of American Medical Colleges. He was elected to a two-year term on its executive board at its annual meeting in March.

“The NBME sets the national standard for excellence in health care in the U.S.,” said Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. “Dr. Milling’s election to its executive board is testimony to his leadership in medical education and a major point of pride for the Jacobs School.”

NBME develops and manages the three-step United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a joint program of the NBME and the Federation of State Medical Boards. The exams are given to students after the first year of medical school, the fourth year of medical school and the first year of medical residency, known as the internship.

Results of USMLE are reported to all licensing authorities in the United States and its territories in order to grant the initial license to practice medicine. The NBME’s examinations and services are widely used by the medical education system, both in the United States and around the world.

“I am honored to be elected a member of the executive board. The National Board of Medical Examiners holds a stellar reputation of protecting the health of our communities through assessment,” Milling said.

“By advancing policy, collaborating with others and implementing innovative solutions, I hope to make a significant contribution, specifically as it relates to the current stressors on medical students surrounding the USMLE Step 1 examination,” he added.

Milling oversees all undergraduate medical school operations, including admissions, multicultural affairs and cultural competency, student services, registrar services, student disciplinary matters and the clinical skills and simulation centers.

As program director for the Science and Technology Entry Program and director of the AMSNY/SMBS Post-Baccalaureate Program, he plays a central role in improving workforce numbers and the pipeline to medicine for underrepresented students in New York State.

Milling is also a primary care physician and sees patients through UBMD Internal Medicine.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy and a medical degree, both from UB. He completed his residency in internal medicine at UB, serving as chief resident. Following residency, he completed a primary care faculty development fellowship at Michigan State University.

He lives in Amherst.