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Council of GME Leaders

The AOGME Council of GME Leaders is comprised of representatives from members of accredited GME programs or sponsoring institutions, functioning Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (OPTIs) organizations, colleges of osteopathic medicine, or designated representatives from a consortium, medical school or related institution supportive of this council’s purpose.

Council Leadership

  • Chair: Guy DeFeo, DO, MS, MEdL, FAOGME
  • Vice Chair: Sherry Turner, DO, MPH, FACOEP

Key Activities

  • Maintaining communication with GME leaders that represent the operations of functioning OPTIs, OPTIs that have reconstituted as sponsoring institutions and COM-based GME offices that manage multiple GME programs.
  • Sharing information relative to distinctive osteopathic principles in GME and development of Osteopathic Recognition in established programs.
  • Promoting development of new GME programs, especially to support the osteopathic profession.
  • Participating in dialogue regarding best practices for GME with all organizations supporting the osteopathic profession
  • Presenting recommendations to AOGME and other constituencies and preparing and presenting reports that may be requested by the Board of AOGME.

Upcoming Events

Previously Recorded Events

    AOGME GME Development Institute: Strategies to Advance GME Growth in Medically Underserved Rural and Urban Areas

    The goal of this event was to provide the latest information, resources and technical assistance on GME growth from national experts in the field. Best practices on developing and expanding GME as well as challenges were highlighted. View the program guide (pdf) for more details.

    The audience for this event includes college of osteopathic medicine (COM) Deans, Clinical Deans, other COM leadership focused on GME, GME faculty and administration and hospital leadership. Programs and institutions at different stages of development of GME (new and established) are encouraged to view the recordings.

    View the PowerPoint slidedecks for the GME Development Institute sessions.

    Session Recordings:

    Forums on GME Growth & Development

    The AOGME Council of GME Leaders organizes forums to support GME growth and development among colleges of osteopathic medicine and other GME leaders and to highlight strategies to develop and grow GME programs/positions. In the forums, GME leaders across the nation's colleges of osteopathic medicine share best practices, strategies, challenges and solutions to support GME growth in medically underserved urban and rural settings. Phase I of the forums featured seven presentations from across the nation led by the following GME leaders:

    Osteopathic Recognition Contacts

    at Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

    Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Sherry Turner, DO

    A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Richard J. LaBaere, DO

    Kansas City University - Joplin
    Ken Heiles, DO

    MSU COM Statewide Campus
    Carmen Obando PhD

    Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Sondra Jepson, DHSc

    Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, WWAMI Family Medicine Residency Network
    Michelle Chadek, MS

    Touro University California, College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Natalie Nevins, DO

    Touro University California, College of Osteopathic Medicine
    May Lin, DO

    University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Guy DeFeo, DO

    University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Sajid Surve, DO

    West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
    Abigail Frank, DO

    William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Melissa Stephens, MD

    Background & History

    Recognizing the need for a new system to structure and accredit osteopathic GME, the American Osteopathic Association established the Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution (OPTI) in 1995.

    Each OPTI was a community-based training consortium comprised of at least one college of osteopathic medicine and one hospital. Other hospitals and ambulatory care facilities may also partner within an OPTI. Community-based healthcare facilities, such as ambulatory care clinics, rehabilitation centers and surgicenters, now have the resources and support necessary to provide physician training with an OPTI’s assistance.

    OPTIs were organized to provide a comprehensive, seamless model of education for physician training, from colleges of osteopathic medicine through GME programs. While each OPTI is unique, all share the goal of adding value to GME training by assuring the osteopathic concepts of whole-person care, wellness and prevention, caring for the patient’s individual health needs, environment and ability to access quality healthcare.

    U.S. Map showing OPTI regions, West, Midwest, Valley, East

    See map with full OPTI key.

    WEST

    MIDWEST

    VALLEY

    EAST

    MWU/OPTI
    OPTI-WEST
    OMECO
    Texas OPTI
    TUMEC

    HEARTland
    KCUMB-COMEC
    Still OPTI
    SCS/MSUCOM
    RM OPTI

    A-OPTIC
    CORE
    LECOMT
    MSOPTI
    OMNEE
    TOMEC

    NSU-COM CEME
    NYCOMEC
    NEOMEN
    PCOM MEDNet
    UMDNJ-SOM OPTI