Maria Rueda-Altez, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Microbiology and Immunology Test Material Development Committee.
Rueda-Altez will serve a minimum two-year term on the national committee, where she will help develop and review examination content for the USMLE, one of the country’s most widely recognized medical licensing examinations. The committee is responsible for ensuring that examination questions accurately assess the knowledge and competencies expected of future physicians.
“I am very honored to have been selected for the USMLE Microbiology and Immunology Test Material Development Committee of the NBME,” said Rueda-Altez. “This appointment represents a national recognition of my expertise in pediatric infectious diseases, microbiology, immunology, and medical education. In this role, I will contribute to the development and review of examination content that helps define the knowledge and competencies expected of future physicians across the United States.”
In addition to recognizing her expertise, the appointment provides national representation for UAB on a committee that helps shape one of the nation’s most influential medical licensing examinations.
“This appointment also brings national visibility to the University of Alabama at Birmingham by providing institutional representation on a committee responsible for shaping one of the country’s most influential medical licensing examinations,” Rueda-Altez said. “It reflects UAB’s commitment to excellence in medical education and strengthens the institution’s presence in national educational leadership and assessment.”
Rueda-Altez’s appointment highlights the Department of Pediatrics’ continued commitment to advancing medical education while contributing expertise to organizations that influence physician training and assessment nationwide.