Biography

Dr. Lois Margaret Nora is President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS is a not-for-profit organization that supports its 24 medical specialty Member Boards in developing and implementing educational and professional standards to certify physician specialists and encourage lifelong learning and assessment. Through these efforts, ABMS helps ensure high quality health care for patients, families and communities. Prior to ABMS, Dr. Nora served as Interim President and Dean of The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) in Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s newest medical schools. Under Dr. Nora’s leadership, TCMC achieved major milestones en route to fulfilling its promise to improve health care in northeastern Pennsylvania through innovative, community-focused, patient-centered, evidence-based medical education. From 2002-2010, Dr. Nora served as President and Dean of Medicine at Northeastern Ohio Medical University (then NEOUCOM). During Dr. Nora’s tenure, institutional accomplishments included the founding of a College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies; a founding partnership in the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron; and selection as one of Ohio’s best workplaces, among others. Previously, Dr. Nora served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration and Professor of Neurology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Dr. Nora’s scholarly work focuses on issues in medical education, particularly the student environment, and issues at the intersection of law and medicine. Her honors include the American Medical Women’s Association President’s Recognition Award, the AAMC Group on Educational Affairs Merrel Flair Award in Medical Education, The Phillips Medal of Public Service from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the 2010 Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy Dean’s Leadership Award, among others. Dr. Nora received her medical degree from Rush Medical College, a law degree and certificate in clinical medical ethics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics. She is Board Certified and participating in Maintenance of Certification in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.