NUMC Provider Recognized with National Leadership Award in Osteopathic Medicine

NBOME Recognizes Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA with Its National Faculty Leadership Award

EAST MEADOW, NY – The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), a leading independent nonprofit organization specializing in competency assessments for osteopathic medical licensure and related healthcare professions, has honored Dennis J. Dowling, DO, MA with the esteemed John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, National Faculty Leadership Award.

Dr. Dowling is the director of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at Nassau University Medical Center. The recognition was presented during the NBOME’s Board of Directors meeting earlier this month.

Meg Ryan, Interim President and CEO of NUMC, congratulated Dr. Dowling on the award, stating, “NUMC strives to provide its patients with the highest quality of care, and Dr. Dowling is a shining example of the passion our providers have for serving the community. We are thrilled that Dr. Dowling’s leadership and professionalism were recognized by his colleagues. His dedication and authority in competency assessments ensure that our providers are at the forefront of medical excellence. Dr. Dowling’s work exemplifies the high standards we uphold here at Nassau University Medical Center.”

The Thornburg Award is bestowed periodically to National Faculty leadership members who have distinguished themselves by their longstanding contributions to examination development, committee work, or related activities. It is named for longtime National Faculty Chair John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, who has diligently served the NBOME in numerous capacities for five decades and continues to serve today.

“Through his pioneering work in developing osteopathically distinctive clinical assessments, Dr. Dowling epitomizes excellence in exam development and medical education,” said John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, the award’s namesake. “I have had the privilege to work with him personally on some of these initiatives with the NBOME and his legacy inspires us all to continue exploring innovations that enhance NBOME assessments and patient safety as a result.”

“The NBOME Board, National Faculty, and staff are exciting to honor Dr. Dennis Dowling’s contributions with the Thornburg National Faculty Leadership Award,” said John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, president and CEO of the NBOME. “Dr. Dowling has made substantial contributions to osteopathic competency assessment since his days as an academic scholar/fellow at NYIT-COM. Over four decades, his leadership in the profession and on the NBOME National Faculty have positively impacted the COMLEX-USA and COMAT programs, and numerous assessment innovations including point-of-care knowledge testing pilots, the former Level 2-PE exam, and the C3DO clinical skills initiative

Dowling’s journey with the NBOME began in the 1990s as an item writer. In 1998, he was invited by John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, the current President and CEO, to join the NBOME Task Force on Performance Assessment. This team was dedicated to developing a unique clinical skills examination for osteopathic licensure, which evolved into the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE.

For 17 years, from 2004 to 2021, Dowling was the director for OMM assessment for COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE. He played a pivotal role in developing the rubric and training protocols for physician examiners assessing osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Throughout his tenure, he held several leadership positions, including chair of the Point of Care Knowledge, Education, and Testing Task Force and consultant for integrating osteopathic principles and practice into COMAT clinical examinations.

Since 2020, Dowling has continued to contribute to NBOME’s clinical skills assessment as a member of the Special Commission on Osteopathic Medical Licensure Assessment. He is currently the consulting coordinator for the Core Competency Capstone for DOs (C3DO) pilot and chairs the C3DO Task Force.

Dowling holds the position of secretary-treasurer of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and has served on the AAO Board of Governors, including a term as president. He is renowned for developing the PINS technique, a specific type of OMT, and is a prolific author, illustrator, and presenter on the subject. In 2015, he was honored with the AT Still Medallion of Honor by the AAO for his significant contributions to osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Dowling is an alumnus and former chair of OMM at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYIT-COM).

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