ACGME Honors the Sacrifices of Frontline Caregivers

April 16, 2020

The ACGME recognizes and honors the extraordinary courage and commitment of the residents, fellows, faculty physicians, and other health care professionals working on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic to care for Americans in need, despite the toll it takes on their personal well-being. This recognition is addressed in the following statement from the organization.

The widespread COVID-19 pandemic crisis has mobilized the graduate medical education (GME) community to the front lines of patient care and personal risk. Alongside nurses, physician assistants, therapists, and other members of the health care team, residents, fellows, and faculty physicians have been working tirelessly to care for those afflicted with COVID-19. The ACGME honors their commitment and resolve as the best expression of their professionalism. We recognize the altruism that drives physicians to risk themselves and potentially their families each day and that it is this same noble commitment that has led to sacrifice, sickness, and even death for members of our GME family. As part of that family, the ACGME expresses its sincere condolences to all who have suffered in this pandemic, and reserves the highest praise for those who have fallen to this illness while tending to the needs of their fellow human beings. From the earliest time it has always been a privilege to be a “healer.” The current pandemic reinforces that privilege and brings honor to those in our profession who sacrifice self for the patients and communities for whom they have the privilege to provide care. The ACGME also expresses its gratitude, pride, and love to the member organizations of the ACGME, to every member of the health care team, and to all Americans who unselfishly give their all each and every working day and night in the service of those in need.

The ACGME is working to gather and develop additional resources to support well-being for the GME community and others on the front lines of the crisis and will share these publicly as they become available. As always, please refer to the Physician Well-Being section of the ACGME website for currently-available tools and resources.