NBME Announces the 2020 Distinguished Service Award Recipient
William Raszka, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist at The University of Vermont Medical Center, was selected as NBME’s 2020 Edithe J. Levit Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Established in 1983, the Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of former NBME President and CEO Edithe J. Levit, who served from 1977 to 1986. Recipients of the award are selected from individuals retiring from NBME’s membership and others who have served NBME exceptionally in their dedication to research related to the evaluation of health professionals.
Having served the maximum number of terms as a test committee representative [9 years], Raszka received the award after vital participation in approximately 20 committees and task forces since 1996. He chaired the Step 1 Microbiology Test Material Development Committee from 2006 to 2009, the Step 1 Committee from 2011 to 2014, and the USMLE Management Committee from 2016 to 2018.
Raszka views his committee work as a unique opportunity to analyze and act upon essential issues across medical assessment. Additionally, he is grateful for the many committee members and staff he worked with throughout his tenure.
“There’s a terrific collaborative and thoughtful approach in how we survey the medical landscape, engage stakeholders, make decisions and communicate with each other and the community while at all times completely committed to excellence,” Raszka said. “I can’t say enough good things about working with the NBME. All my meetings have been fun, interesting and a terrific learning experience.”
Dr. Peter Katsufrakis, NBME President and CEO, regards Raszka as a well-respected leader in medical assessment and an exemplary volunteer.
“Even among the outstanding group of volunteers that make up the national faculty of NBME, Bill Raszka stands out,” Katsufrakis said. “Bill is as kind as he is diligent, as diligent as he is funny, as funny as he is caring, and as caring as he is smart. Bill has contributed to multiple committees of NBME, often as the designated chair or leader, and always as an esteemed member. As a colleague and as a friend, Bill will always be a cherished part of our community.”
Raszka joins the prestigious, selective ranks of Distinguished Service Award recipients in continuing the extraordinary legacy of Levit on behalf of NBME.
During these unprecedented times, it is especially important to celebrate good news and remarkable individuals. On its official website this summer, NBME will highlight the people and programs that advance the science of assessment and medical education overall.