ATSU-KCOM’s Dr. LaBaere receives NBOME’s highest honor
Posted: January 7, 2026
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) honored A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (ATSU-KCOM) Richard J. LaBaere II, DO, MPH, FAODME, associate dean, graduate medical education, with its highest honor, the NBOME Santucci Award, on Dec. 13, 2025.
The NBOME is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides competency assessments for osteopathic medical licensure and related healthcare professions. The Santucci Award is presented to members of the NBOME’s board, staff, or committees with 10 or more years of service in recognition of outstanding contributions to the organization’s mission.
Dr. LaBaere is the immediate past chair of the NBOME Board of Directors and was first elected to the board in 2010. He served as chair of the NBOME’s Special Commission on Osteopathic Medical Licensure Assessment from 2020 to 2022 and previously served on the NBOME’s Blue Ribbon Panel on enhancing COMLEX-USA from 2010 to 2016.
Throughout the past 30 years, he has held numerous leadership roles, including family medicine residency program director, director of medical education, and regional assistant dean, focusing on developing new graduate medical education programs in high-need areas and advancing the integration of osteopathic principles and practice throughout clinical education.
In 2007, Dr. LaBaere was inducted into the American Osteopathic Association’s Mentor Hall of Fame. He was named a fellow of the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators in 2008 and recognized as a fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators in 2022.