This interview is one in a series of interviews with recipients of the 2026 ACGME Awards. The 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 upcoming ACGME Annual Educational Conference, taking place February 19-21 in San Diego, California.
2026 GME Intuitional Coordinator Excellence Awardee Carol Sundberg is a Director of GME at the University of Minnesota.
ACGME: How did you become involved in academic medicine?
Ms. Sundberg: I became involved in academic medicine quite organically. It began in 1986, while I was an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, working part-time in the Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Dermatology. I just loved being a part of a community that was dedicated to training the next generation of physicians while advancing research and discovering new treatments, devices, etc., to improve the health of others. After graduating, I accepted a full-time job as a research study coordinator. That decision 37 years ago set me on the path to where I am today, and I wouldn't change a thing.
ACGME: What does this award mean to you?
Sundberg: This award is a tremendous honor, and it's a testament to the collective dedication of our entire academic community. While it is given as a “personal award,” I absolutely see it as institutional recognition. To be nominated by the incredible team I have the privilege of working with—my program directors, administrative colleagues, and GME leadership—is the highest form of praise. I'm deeply grateful that the excellent, often unseen work we do to support physician training and patient safety has been recognized at the national level.
ACGME: What is the most rewarding part of being a coordinator?
Sundberg: There are so many rewards. I love witnessing the transformation of our residents and fellows. Working hard to remove barriers so that residents and fellows can effectively train to become competent physicians and health care leaders. Seeing a resident or a fellow successfully transition into an attending physician is incredibly fulfilling. I feel proud of the work of our GME community.
ACGME: What is the most challenging part of being a coordinator?
Sundberg: The persistent challenge lies in navigating the dynamic and intricate regulatory landscape of GME. Balancing strict ACGME requirements with the financial realities and clinical demands of a large teaching institution can be complex. However, complexity is just part of the job, and it can be our strength. The most critical part isn’t just remaining resilient, but fostering an institutional culture of proactive communication, shared ownership, and continuous quality improvement to ensure every transition ultimately strengthens our programs.
ACGME: What advice do you have for brand-new coordinators who are just starting their careers?
Sundberg: I hope that program administrators and the administrators that serve in the Office of GME are able to embrace the role as a career. I encourage them to be curious, and when reasonable, say “yes” to new opportunities—especially those that allow you to collaborate across departments and learn from GME leadership. And today’s success requires them to seriously leverage systems and technology to streamline tasks. Remember, your value isn’t in processing paperwork; it’s in interpreting the big picture and giving time back to faculty members and residents or fellows so they can focus on medicine.
ACGME: Is there anything else you would like to add I haven’t asked about?
Sundberg: I am incredibly proud to be part of this community. The future of academic medicine depends on fully recognizing and investing in the professional development of the faculty members and administrators who are the foundation of GME.
Learn more about the ACGME’s GME Institutional Coordinator Excellence Award here. Register for #ACGME2026 on our conference website, where we will continue to celebrate this year’s honorees.