NBOME honors ATSU-KCOM’s Dr. Theobald with National Faculty Leadership Award
Posted: July 31, 2025
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) honored Robert J. Theobald Jr., PhD, professor, Pharmacology, A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), with the John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, National Faculty Leadership Award on June 7, 2025.
Dr. Theobald’s service to the University began in 1976. He has received numerous excellence in teaching awards, and was also the recipient of the 2011 Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Living Tribute Award.
His involvement with the NBOME dates back to the early 1990s. Since then, he has authored numerous test items focused on pharmacology and physiology for the COMLEX-USA and the COMAT Foundational Biomedical Sciences examination. He has served on a variety of NBOME committees and task forces and currently serves as chair of the NBOME Foundational Biomedical Sciences Department, a position he has held since January 2020.
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. The award is named in honor of longtime National Faculty Chair John E. Thornburg, DO, PhD, who dedicated more than five decades of service to the NBOME and passed away in February 2025. Dr. Thornburg and Dr. Theobald worked closely together for many years in support of the NBOME’s mission.