Happy Holidays and Reflections on Transition to the Single GME Accreditation System

December 20, 2019

As we conclude a remarkable 2019, I want to reflect on gains made as we approach the conclusion of the single GME accreditation system transition in June 2020. After four and a half years of a challenging process, we are now positioned well: close to 900 programs have transitioned to ACGME, only a handful of programs may need to train out under the AOA after June 30, 2020, and there is likelihood of a much-decreased number after the Review Committee meetings in January and April 2020. This progress would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our Osteopathic GME community that quickly learned a new accreditation system and culture while maintaining a stable learning environment for our trainees.  

Osteopathic Recognition  

We also now have 215 programs that have achieved Osteopathic Recognition (OR) and several others applying. We encourage you to apply for this important designation and join us in our efforts to engage and support OR programs. AOGME continues to support OR through initiatives such as a marketing campaign, Osteopathic Recognition Matters: Programs for Optimal Patient Care, our Advance OGME listserv  for those interested in OGME, and the UME-GME Digital Resource Library that houses resources on osteopathic training. View the OR Matters site and sign up to get updates on the campaign activities at ormatters@aacom.org. You can also follow us @OR_Matters on Twitter and Facebook 

2020 AOGME Awards  

As a final reminder, the 2020 AOGME Awards Call for Nominations is open until December 30, 2019. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize your colleagues and individuals who have/are making an impact in the osteopathic profession and in osteopathic medical education. The AOGME sponsors several awards including: 

• Special Lifetime Achievement Award
• Award for Excellence in Osteopathic Medical Education
• Leadership Award
• Special Award of Appreciation

Awardees will be recognized at the Educating Leaders 2020: the AACOM Annual Conference during the AOGME Chair’s Reception and the AACOM Awards Banquet.  

We Are Looking for a Secretary/Treasurer

There is currently an open officer position for the secretary/treasurer that will be in place in March 2020. Service on the AOGME board is a fulfilling and important opportunity to shape the future of osteopathic GME at a time of significant change. I strongly encourage you to participate, please read the call for nominations for details and contact us at aogme@aacom.org should you have any questions. Nominations are accepted until January 13, 2020.  

Residents and Fellow Physicians: Submit Your Abstracts!

For the second year, Educating Leaders, the AACOM annual conference, will feature a poster competition for residents and fellows. The purpose of the AOGME poster competition is to stimulate scholarly work and research by interns, residents, and fellows, and to provide a venue to innovate, showcase unique projects, and to encourage networking among trainees with similar interests. All residents and fellows who will be or are trainees in a postgraduate training program accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in March 2019 are eligible to compete for first-, second-, and third-place cash prizes. The deadline for submission of poster abstracts for residents and fellows is January 15, 2020. Submit your abstract today!   

Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP) Nominations Open Until January 9

Applications and nominations are open for the 2020-2021 Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP). The SLDP was developed specifically for colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) to improve leadership skills. It fosters learning and networking between colleagues from institutions across the country who face similar challenges. The 2020 – 2021 Program will offer two tracks: (1) potential, new and experienced deans and (2) COM faculty who have the potential to accept increasing leadership roles. The deadline for applications is January 9, 2020. 

Join Your Colleagues at the Annual Conference 

At Educating Leaders 2020, we will be hosting five days of programming specifically focused on graduate medical education. Please come join us and take part in our pre-conference workshops, oral presentations, AOGME member events, meetings, and more. AOGME will have a day-long program on Wednesday, March 25, that will include an ACGME Update Workshop, Best Practices in Osteopathic Recognition, GME Nuts & Bolts with Osteopathic Recognition, the AOGME Annual Membership/Business Luncheon, and more. There are additional GME offerings throughout the conference; for a more complete listing of all GME and AOGME programming and workshops, be sure to check out our program planner.  

We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with direct inquires by emailing aogme@aacom.org or calling us at 301-657-7881.  

Thank you for your continued support, 

Lisa R. Nash, DO, MS-HPEd, FAAFP, FAOGME