Frequently Asked Questions Under Review
With the creation of the new Sponsoring Institution Emergency Categorization, ACGME leaders and staff members are reviewing the currently posted Frequently Asked Questions and will be making updates and adjustments to this section to reflect the new binary approach and academic year turnover. Check this page for updates, and watch for further communication from the ACGME on this topic.
NEW! Common Program Requirements Update
All specialty/subspecialty-specific Program Requirements have been updated to incorporate the focused revision to the Common Program Requirements, effective July 1, 2020. The updated Program Requirements are available on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of each respective specialty section.
NEW! Action Taken at June 2020 ACGME Board Meeting - Program Requirement Revisions Approved
At its June meeting, the Board of Directors approved the following:
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Anesthesiology, Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Obstetric Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesiology, and Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Anesthesiology section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Colon and Rectal Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Colon and Rectal Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Emergency Medicine, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Emergency Medicine section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Neurological Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Neurological Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Neuromuscular Medicine, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications pages of the Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation sections of the ACGME website.
> New Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Complex Family Planning (subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology), effective June 13, 2020. The Requirements and FAQs are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Obstetrics and Gynecology section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Obstetrics and Gynecology section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications pages of the Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology sections of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Ophthalmology section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Orthopaedic Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Orthopaedic Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Neurotology, and Pediatric Otolaryngology, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Pathology, Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine, Chemical Pathology, Cytopathology, Forensic Pathology, Hematopathology, Medical Microbiology, Neuropathology, Pediatric Pathology, and Selective Pathology, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Pathology section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Molecular Genetic Pathology, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications pages of the Pathology and Medical Genetics and Genomics sections of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Geriatric Psychiatry, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Psychiatry section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Addiction Medicine, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications pages of the Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine, and Psychiatry sections of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Critical Care, Vascular Surgery (Independent), and Vascular Surgery (Integrated), effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Thoracic Surgery (Independent), Thoracic Surgery (Integrated), and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, effective July 1, 2020. The Requirements are available under the “Currently in Effect” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Thoracic Surgery section of the ACGME website.
> Focused revision to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Pediatric Urology, effective July 1, 2021. The Requirements are available under the “Future Effective Date” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Urology section of the ACGME website.
UPDATED! Remote Site Visits
The ACGME is conducting accreditation and recognition site visits using secure remote technology. Remote accreditation and recognition site visits will be scheduled using standard processes, including solicitation of blackout dates. Visit the new Remote Accreditation and Recognition Site Visit web page for more information and FAQs.
ACGME Diversity and Inclusion Award - Nomination Deadline Extended!
The ACGME is accepting nominations for the Diversity and Inclusion Award, a new award to support efforts to achieve diversity and inclusion in graduate medical education (GME).
The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced data showing that underrepresented minorities are the victims of systemic inequality. Eliminating disparities in health care requires a commitment from all-even, and especially, during times of crisis. This annual award will highlight the most innovative and exemplary initiatives that drive diversity in GME.
Read more about the award, including instructions for submitting a nomination
The nomination deadline is extended to Friday, July 31, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. Central.
Institutional and Program Self-Study Update
The ACGME has suspended all program Self-Study activities, including the submission of Self-Study Summaries, through June 1, 2021 to allow the GME community to prioritize patient care duties in line with COVID-19 responsibilities. Programs with January 1, 2021 through June 1, 2021 due dates will receive a notice postponing the Self-Study until further notice. Email questions to Associate Director, Field Activities Andrea Chow.
Sponsoring Institutions with 2021 Self-Study dates will NOT be postponed. More information about the Institutional Self-Study can be found here on the ACGME website or by contacting irc@acgme.org.
NEW! 2020 ACGME Annual Educational Conference Session Recordings
Log into Learn at ACGME to access sessions from the 2020 ACGME Annual Educational Conference:
Tools for Programs in the Accreditation Process
This overview of the process to achieve Initial Accreditation and Continued Accreditation provides tips for responding to Review Committee concerns and citations. The focus is on programs with statuses of Continued Pre-Accreditation or Initial Accreditation.
Different Perspectives, Same Results
Joanne Baker, DO, FACOI, FAODME, FHM and Juanita Braxton, MBA, EdS, PhD provide program directors, designated institutional officials, and coordinators discuss the seasonal activities and responsibilities involved in operating an ACGME-accredited program.
National Residency Match Program (NRMP) Update
Learn about the 2020 Main Residency Match, with an emphasis on the outcomes for osteopathic physician applicants and programs previously approved by the American Osteopathic Association.
The 2021 Annual Educational Conference is Going Virtual!
The health and safety of all attendees, exhibitors, and personnel remain our top priority. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be bravely battled by the GME community, the ACGME has made the difficult decision to host the 2021 Annual Educational Conference virtually.
Attendees will have the opportunity to access sessions and events on a virtual platform. As one of the largest graduate medical education gatherings in the world, the ACGME will continue to provide and share the same depth of content and innovations, as well as the opportunity to connect and network. The conference will likely take place in February 2021. Official dates will be announced later this summer. As plans for the conference unfold, and more information is available for navigating the virtual platform and registering, details will be shared through this e-Communication and via email, on the ACGME website, and on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Email questions to acgmeconference@acgme.org.
COMING SOON! Virtual Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents
The ACGME is creating a virtual version of its popular Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents, expected to be offered in fall 2020. Details will be available soon, and announced in the e-Communication and on the ACGME website.
Email questions to ariley@acgme.org.
NEW! Program Requirements for Review and Comment
The following Program Requirements and accompanying Impact Statements are posted for review and comment, here:
Comment Deadline: August 26, 2020
Institutional Requirements
Pediatrics
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Clinical Neurophysiology
Epilepsy
Vascular Neurology
Comment Deadline: September 4, 2020
Internal Medicine
NEW! Review Committee News / Notices: Ophthalmology
A memo to program directors and coordinators regarding the Program Requirements for Ophthalmology with an effective date of July 1, 2021 provides answers to common questions about the integrated ophthalmology format and joint preliminary year/ophthalmology format. Read the memo on the Documents and Resources page of the Ophthalmology section of the ACGME website.
NEW! Recognition Committee News / Notices: Osteopathic Recognition
An Accreditation Data System (ADS) Annual Update Guide for Osteopathic Recognition is now available to assist programs with Osteopathic Recognition in completing their ADS Annual Update, and to ensure all necessary Osteopathic Recognition information has been reviewed and updated.
Review Committee News / Notices: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A new resource provides programs with the Review Committee’s expectations for completing of the block diagram. The Guide to Construction of a Block Diagram can be found on the Documents and Resources page of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section of the ACGME website.
NEW! Review Committee News / Notices: Urology
Beginning with the 2020-2021 Academic Year, the urology-specific fillable block diagram must be used during the ADS Annual Update by urology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and pediatric urology programs. The fillable block diagram and instructions can be found on the Documents and Resources page of the Urology section of the ACGME website.
ACGME Seeks Public Members
The following Review Committees are seeking their next public member for terms beginning July 1, 2021. A public member serves on the Review Committee to share the perspective of the public, foster accountability to the needs of the public, enrich the work of the Committee through outside expertise, and create transparency in the work of the Review Committee. Nominees must not be physicians. Other health care professionals are permitted, provided they are not employed by an organization with ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs. The term of appointment is six years.
Anesthesiology - Deadline Extended!
Contact: Cheryl Gross
Deadline: August 1, 2020
Medical Genetics and Genomics
Details: Read the full solicitation
Contact: Kate Hatlak
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Nuclear Medicine
Details: Read the full solicitation
Contact: Jenny Campbell
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Radiation Oncology - Deadline Extended!
Contact: Cheryl Gross
Deadline: August 1, 2020
Radiology
Details: Read the full solicitation
Contact: Jenny Campbell
Deadline: October 1, 2020
ACGME Seeks Resident Members - Specialties Added!
The following Review Committees are seeking their next resident member for terms beginning July 1, 2021. A resident member serves on the Review Committee to share the perspective of the resident, foster accountability to the needs of the resident, enrich the work of the Committee through outside expertise, and create transparency in the work of the Review Committee. The Review Committee's selected nominee will be presented for approval by the ACGME Board of Directors at its September 2020 meeting. The new resident member's term will be from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
Dermatology
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited dermatology program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Sandra Benitez
Deadline: August 14, 2020
Emergency Medicine
Contact: Bianca Andino
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Neurological Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited neurological surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Jennifer Luna
Deadline: July 31, 2020
NEW! Neurology
Details: Nominees must be enrolled in a residency or fellowship program at the time of the appointment, and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of residency or fellowship. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Larisa Cassie
Deadline: August 1, 2020
Orthopaedic Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited orthopaedic surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Jennifer Luna
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Pathology
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited pathology program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Preventive Medicine
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited preventive medicine program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Katherine McCue
Deadline: July 31, 2020
NEW! Psychiatry
Details: Nominees must be enrolled in a residency or fellowship program at the time of the appointment, and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of residency or fellowship. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Larisa Cassie
Deadline: August 1, 2020
Radiology
Contact: Bianca Andino
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Applicants must be a current PGY-2 to PGY-4 during the 2021-2022 academic year. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Michelle Armstrong
Deadline: August 14, 2020
Thoracic Surgery
Details: The resident member must be currently enrolled in an ACGME-accredited thoracic surgery program when appointed and may not serve more than one year beyond completion of the program. Applicants must be a current PGY-2 to PGY-4 during the 2021-2022 academic year. Nomination instructions available upon request.
Contact: Michelle Armstrong
Deadline: August 14, 2020
Urology
Details: Nominees must be a resident in an ACGME-accredited urology program, or a fellow in an ACGME-accredited pediatric urology or female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery program. A nominee must be able to serve a two-year term. Read the full solicitation.
Contact: Tina Espina
Deadline: August 10, 2020