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 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Awardee Julie A. Venci, MD is the internal medicine and pediatrics Residency program director at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
ACGME: How did you become involved in medicine, and in academic medicine specifically?
Dr. Venci: As a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants—including a father who was a refugee—I grew up with a deep appreciation for education, resilience, and the necessity of hard work. I knew a career in medicine would satisfy my drive for lifelong learning, while allowing me to make a tangible impact on others’ lives. My passion for health equity and my desire to truly understand patients’ lived experiences led me to primary care and public health.
My journey into academic medicine began at Denver Health, our city’s safety-net hospital, where I still practice. During my first year out of training, I began precepting in the internal medicine continuity clinic. An incredible clinician-educator, Dr. Jennifer Adams, soon approached me to help launch the first Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) for medical students at the University of Colorado. At the same time, I was accepted into an 18-month Teaching Scholars Program. These two pivotal experiences immersed me in the world of medical education. Shortly after, I had the privilege of establishing the first internal medicine-pediatrics (med-peds) continuity clinic to support our new residency program, and I haven’t looked back since.
ACGME: What does this award mean to you?
Venci: I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award, primarily because the nomination originated from my residents. I have been fortunate to be part of the Colorado med-peds program since its inception, and I have the best job in the world. I work alongside a phenomenal leadership team—three of whom are former residents of this very program—and a group of residents who constantly push me to be better. I also have the most wonderful program coordinator, Akemi Iwanabe, who cares so deeply about the residents and truly makes my job so much easier. I never take this for granted and frequently express my gratitude for this dream team.
As a physician and leader, I set very high expectations for myself. This award serves as a powerful reminder that the time, energy, and heart I and our team dedicate to these roles are landing and making a difference. As program directors, we rarely have quantitative metrics for ‘impact’ or ‘support,’ so I am grateful for this award as a tangible validation of the culture we have built together and a reminder of why this work matters.
ACGME: What do you feel is the most important job the program director has?
Venci: The program director role comes with immense privilege and responsibility. We accompany residents during the most formative, vulnerable years of their careers. Our role extends far beyond checking off ACGME requirements or staffing hospitals; it is about cultivating the next generation of educators, leaders, advocates, and change-makers.
The most important job of a program director is modeling. How we choose to show up in this role influences how residents will eventually practice independently. I strive to be an authentic, transparent leader who enters spaces with a genuine presence and an open heart. We must provide residents with experiences that go beyond clinical rotations—teaching them how to navigate systems and advocate for their patients. Now more than ever, we must ensure residents understand the power of their voices and actions to make a difference and safeguard science, discovery, health equity, and public health. We are not just training doctors; we are shaping the future of medicine.
ACGME: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Venci: The most rewarding aspect is undoubtedly the relationships I build with my residents. I value knowing them as people first, understanding who they care about, what brings them joy, and what keeps them up at night. Residency can be hard, and I view my role as being a safe harbor—a place where they can share both their triumphs and their struggles. Being a trusted confidante and cheerleader gives me immense satisfaction.
It is equally rewarding to do the work alongside my residents and leadership team. I love sharing my passion for community engagement and health equity with the program. Together, we have established strong community partnerships, launched a produce prescription program, created a community garden for patients, and secured national grants to support this work. I've also loved creating curricula that include inviting community members into the classroom to share their experiences and perspectives. Collaborating and innovating with leaders, educators, and community members has been a significant and transformative part of my career in academic medicine. Additionally, seeing residents find meaning and combat burnout through this purpose-driven work and education is the highlight of my career.
ACGME: What is the most challenging?
Venci: Medicine is inherently a demanding profession, and navigating today’s complex health care system adds another layer of difficulty. The most challenging aspect of this role is carving out the dedicated time and space residents need to pause and reflect, amid their busy schedules and the internal and external factors that contribute to fatigue and burnout. This time to pause and reflect is crucial not just for processing their daily work, but also for helping them develop their unique professional identities. My goal is to ensure they don’t just move through rotations, but feel grounded in a strong, supportive community where they can grow into the physicians they want to be. Balancing these developmental needs with the operational realities of training is a constant challenge, but it is vital for their long-term well-being and longevity in medicine.
ACGME: What advice do you have for residents or fellows who may be interested in pursuing a career in academic medicine?
Venci: Academic medicine is a rewarding career with a long-lasting legacy. We all remember that one educator or attending who sparked our curiosity or modeled the type of doctor we wanted to become. My advice is to embrace the ‘ripple effect’ of this career path. Just as we form therapeutic alliances with patients, the alliances we form with learners allow us to impact the thousands of patients they will eventually treat.
In practice, I advise residents to seek new growth opportunities, find a mentor who invests in their growth, and lean into the joy of teaching and curriculum development. Engaging in this work and building relationships with learners are protective factors against burnout, helping you reconnect with the wonder of medicine through fresh eyes. We are all seeking ways to maintain the joys of medicine, and choosing a career in academic medicine is one such way.
Learn more about the ACGME’s Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award here. Register for #ACGME2026 on our conference website, where we will continue to celebrate this year’s honorees.