Overview of the FSMB Foundation
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has long been committed to supporting the work of its member state boards and other partners in their efforts to ensure that only qualified and capable physicians practice medicine; and that the environment in which they practice fosters the highest level of care for patients.

To continue this tradition of leadership, FSMB recognized that the FSMB Foundation was uniquely positioned to enhance and support the goals of the FSMB and its constituents. The value of the FSMB Foundation was demonstrated through its highly successful and well-received research and publication concerning opioid prescribing and pain management. The FSMB Board of Directors set an aggressive agenda for revitalization of the FSMB Foundation to create additional resources and opportunities to support state medical boards, their licensees, and the public who rely upon them.

Role:
The FSMB Foundation will coordinate research and educational activities to promote stronger and more effective medical licensure and regulation.

Many organizations have realized that a related foundation is an effective vehicle to accomplish important educational, research, and philanthropic activities. With an agreement to provide initial funding and on-going support, the FSMB Board of Directors elected a new Board of Directors for the FSMB Foundation and charged those Directors with the important work of re-energizing and re-focusing the Foundation.

Structure:
The tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status of the Foundation will allow it to compete for third-party funding for which the FSMB would not be eligible. The Foundation will be strategically aligned with the FSMB, but administratively independent. It will consist of a Board of Directors who will oversee the work of staff and various committees and working groups. Two primary committees will be the Education Advisory Committee and the Research Advisory Committee.