This interview is one in a series of interviews with the 2026 recipients of the ACGME Awards. These awardees join an outstanding group of previous honorees whose work and contributions to graduate medical education (GME) represent the best in the field. They will be honored at the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, taking place February 19-21, 2026, in San Diego, California.
2026 Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Awardee Annie Detrick is the Education Administrator at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.
ACGME: How did you become involved in academic medicine?
Ms. Detrick: I had been working for orthopaedic surgery at the University of Chicago in a clerical role when the residency program director at the time called on me. He took notice of my work and felt I would be a good fit. “Give me five years,” he said. I knew nothing of graduate medical education, so he spent the next five-plus years educating me. I am grateful he did; here I am 13 years later enjoying the work, loving my team, and being recognized for my contributions.
ACGME: What does this award mean to you?
Detrick: To me, this award is an outward display of an inward shift. This work in academic medicine, to me now, feels purpose-filled. It took some time to get to this stage.
ACGME: What is the most rewarding part of being a coordinator?
Detrick: The most rewarding part of being a coordinator is knowing that the work I do behind the scenes contributes to a greater purpose. For example, events like Resident Recruitment and Research Day showcase our program and accomplishments, while curriculum and scheduling efforts enhance resident education and clinical experience.
ACGME: What is the most challenging part of being a coordinator?
Detrick: For me, the most challenging part of being a coordinator is being okay with the fact that I often must follow up with busy residents and faculty to get things accomplished. I don’t like the feeling of ‘nagging’ or adding more to an extensive list of requirements, but understand that what I’m asking of them is important.
ACGME: What advice do you have for brand-new coordinators who are just starting their careers?
Detrick: My three pieces of advice to new coordinators are: 1) Build your community. Make friends with seasoned coordinators. The more people you have to reach out to, the less alone you feel. We all have questions and need support. 2) Get organized from the beginning. You will continually refer back to emails, templates, and projects from past years. The better your organization system (which will always need refining), the easier it is to find the resources you need. It’s a great way to help yourself. 3) Give yourself time to find your footing. Academic medicine operates on an annual cycle. It takes time to get the hang of things because there are major things you only experience once per year. It is frustrating to not know what you don’t know, and not to know what questions to ask. If you enjoy the overall work, stick with it. It’s very rewarding to reach the stage where you connect the dots, understand the bigger picture, and are able to anticipate needs and infuse a little creativity.
Learn more about the ACGME’s Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award here.