Dr. Christine M. Khandelwal, a distinguished osteopathic physician and professor at Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).
This marks another significant milestone for Khandelwal in an already exemplary medical career.
Khandelwal was selected from a competitive field of eight candidates during the FSMB House of Delegates meeting April 26 in Seattle. She joins the FSMB board as one of three elected at-large members and will serve a three-year term. The FSMB is a nonprofit organization representing all state medical and osteopathic licensing boards across the U.S. and its territories, providing critical oversight for physician licensure and discipline.
Khandelwal currently serves as a professor of Family Medicine and director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Campbell. Her leadership extends to the clinical setting, where she was recently named chair of Medicine at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh — becoming the first osteopathic physician to hold the role. She also completed a term as president of the N.C. Medical Board, one of the state’s highest positions in medical governance.
Khandelwal views her new national role as a continuation of her mission to protect patients, empower caregivers and collaborate with fellow healthcare leaders.
“I get to know the concerns of what’s going on in the practice of medicine and healthcare at the national level, while always thinking about the impact my work will make right here in North Carolina,” Khandelwal said. “It is truly working together collaboratively with our stakeholders to ensure safe medical care is provided to all our community, so nobody is left behind.”
She also acknowledges the need for medical regulators to stay ahead of emerging trends, including the integration of artificial intelligence and other technological shifts that are reshaping the landscape of modern healthcare.
“These innovations challenge traditional regulatory frameworks,” she said. “Physicians and caregivers must be at the table to help shape policies that ensure new technologies serve our patients equitably and safely.”
In addition to her election to the FSMB board, Khandelwal was recently named president of the American Society of Osteopathic Medical Regulators (ASOMR), a national organization that upholds the uniqueness and rigor of osteopathic medical licensure. Through ASOMR, Khandelwal plays a vital role in guiding national standards and best practices in osteopathic medical education, regulation, and advocacy.
Her influence is also felt in the realm of hospice and palliative care, where she is a nationally recognized leader and staunch advocate for underserved populations. She continues to champion the voices of older adults, those facing serious illnesses and the caregivers who support them.
With each new leadership appointment, Khandelwal works to strengthen the role of osteopathic medicine in national healthcare conversations, her work exemplifying a compassionate, collaborative and visionary approach to improving outcomes for patients around the country.
“The most important people who have not only shaped my contributions in hospice and palliative medicine, but also continue to inspire me to serve in our field of medicine, are the patients and caregivers I care for every day.”