ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
NEW! Activity Spotlight
From interactive sessions to networking experiences, the Annual Educational Conference will offer activities that spark connections among graduate medical education (GME) professionals.
The first-ever Puppy Park Yappy Hour will take place in the Exhibit Hall Friday evening!
The ACGME is proud to partner with Puppy Love, a San Diego-based organization that works with local rescues to help puppies find their forever homes. The Yappy Hour will include exhibitors showcasing products and services, puppies, and "Barkarita" mocktails.
Annual Educational Conference Job Board
The Job Board is an excellent resource for those seeking new opportunities in GME. The Job Board will remain active through March 31, 2026.
Email questions to conferencejobboard@acgme.org.
NEW! Next Phase of ACGME Cloud Launching in April
The ACGME plans to launch the next phase of ACGME Cloud in mid-April, marking continued progress in the organization’s Digital Transformation journey for GME. The new products and features will offer:
- Unified User Experience – simplified, streamlined navigation across ACGME Cloud and the Accreditation Data System (ADS), including a user-friendly way to switch between products and an AI-powered smart search to find information in ADS and complete tasks.
- ACGME Cloud | Analytics Additions and Enhancements – additional dashboards for the annual Resident/Fellow and Faculty Surveys, operational dashboards, and Milestones dashboards.
Email questions to Cloud@acgme.org.
NEW! ADS Update on Milestones Evaluations
The ACGME is aware that a number of programs received messages via ADS last week regarding missing Milestones evaluation information, and that these were sent in error. The correct message programs should have received was that Milestones reports have been posted. The ACGME apologizes for any confusion this caused and has contacted all affected programs with a correction. However, any program with questions should email ads@acgme.org for additional support.
OPENS TODAY! ACGME Resident/Fellow and Faculty Surveys
The ACGME’s annual Resident/Fellow and Faculty Surveys for programs in the US open February 9, 2026, and will close April 10, 2026.
Sponsoring Institution and program leaders will receive survey alerts throughout the administration period and must notify survey takers using the existing mechanisms in the Accreditation Data System (ADS).
Programs should review and, if necessary, update their Resident/Fellow and Faculty Rosters in ADS before the surveys open to ensure accurate scheduling.
New This Year
Residents/fellows who started in the program this academic year and currently hold a status of “Started program off-cycle” WILL be scheduled to participate in the survey as long as they have been in the program for at least 60 days.
Email questions to ads@acgme.org.
NEXT WEEK! Clinician Educator Journal Club
Next Session: February 19, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central
Speaker(s): James P. Orlando, EdD, PCC; Wendi Wills El-Amin, MD; and Monica L. Lypson, MD, MHPE
This group meets online on the third Thursday of each month to discuss journal articles and timely topics in medical education. Participants should read the article ahead of time and come with questions.
Continuing medical education (CME) is now available for attending these meetings. View CME information.
Missed a session? View on-demand recordings of past meetings.
Send registration questions to virtualevents@acgme.org.
Combined Program Update
The board curricular requirements for the following combined program formats are now posted in the table on the Combined Programs page:
- Anesthesiology-pediatrics
- Pediatrics-physical medicine and rehabilitation
The combined program FAQs have been updated and can be accessed on the page linked above.
Curricular requirements for the remaining formats will be posted as they become available, and communication will be sent directly to programs.
Specialty-specific questions should be directed to the relevant Review Committee staff members.
CLER Tab Removal from ADS for Sponsoring Institutions
Following the closure of the Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Program last fall, the CLER navigation tab remained visible in ADS to allow Sponsoring Institutions time to access reports. Effective April 1, 2026, the CLER tab will no longer appear for Sponsoring Institutions, and Sponsoring Institutions should download any information or reports they would like to retain for reference prior to April 1.
Email questions to irc@acgme.org.
Back to Bedside Funding Available for Resident- and Fellow-Driven Projects
The ACGME's Back to Bedside initiative is designed to empower residents and fellows to develop transformative projects that foster meaning and joy in work and allow them to engage on a deeper level with what is at the heart of medicine: their patients. The Request for Proposals for 2026-2028 is now available.
This initiative supports resident- and fellow-directed innovations that are shared on a national platform. Awardees participate in Learning Collaboratives throughout the funding period to workshop and refine their projects and develop leadership skills. Grant recipients will also present their projects at the 2028 ACGME Annual Educational Conference in Orlando, Florida.
NEW! A travel stipend is included to help cover costs associated with meetings.
Proposals are due by April 20, 2026.
2027 ACGME Award Nominations
The ACGME Awards nomination applications are now online! Learn more by visiting the individual Award pages and submit a nomination by March 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central.
Email questions to acgmeawards@acgme.org.
ACGME Seeks Appeals Panelists
The ACGME is seeking physicians to serve on standing Appeals Panels for the following specialties:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Child Neurology
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Medical Genetics and Genomics
- Nuclear Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
Applicant Criteria
- Must be certified by the relevant American Board of Medical Specialties member board or American Osteopathic Association certifying board.
- Must be able to devote sufficient time to the Appeals Panel work.
- Should have at least three years’ experience as a program director, department chair, associate/assistant program director, and/or core faculty member.
- Applicants not currently serving in one of these roles may be considered if they held one of these positions within the last three years.
- Applicants’ programs must have a status of Continued Accreditation.
Apply by April 30, 2026.
Email Senior Administrator, Governance, Appeals, Policies, and Procedures Lisa Davis for more information.
Review and Comment: Proposed Program Requirements
The following Program Requirements and accompanying Impact Statements are posted for review and comment, here:Comment Deadline: March 6, 2026
Emergency Medical Services
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine
NEW! Stakeholder Survey for Osteopathic Recognition Requirements Revision
The Osteopathic Recognition Writing Group solicits stakeholder input to inform the Osteopathic Recognition Requirements revision in several key areas. Feedback is requested from those involved in programs with Osteopathic Recognition. Current designated osteopathic residents/fellows or recent designated osteopathic resident/fellow graduates are encouraged to complete the survey.
Responses are due March 9, 2026.
NEW! Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Case Log Update
The Review Committee has expanded the list of treatment techniques available to residents when logging patient encounters. Additional information can be found in the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Announcement available on the Documents and Resources page of the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine section of the ACGME website.
Email questions to Executive Director Tiffany Moss.
TODAY! Survey for Orthopaedic Surgery Requirements Revision
Feedback is requested to inform a revision of the Program Requirements for Orthopaedic Surgery in several key areas. Those involved in orthopaedic surgery programs, including faculty members, current residents, and recent graduates, are encouraged to complete the survey.
The survey closes today, February 9.
THIS WEEK! Meet with the Review Committee for Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic surgery program leaders can schedule appointments with Review Committee member Dan Krenk, DO at the 2026 Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD) Winter Conference. Appointments with Dr. Krenk are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and will be held on Friday, February 13 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Email Accreditation Administrator Stephanie Lose with questions or to schedule an appointment.
ACGME Seeks Resident/Fellow Member
The following Review Committee seeks nominations for its next resident member for a term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.
Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
Details: Additional information is available under Documents and Resources in the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine section of the ACGME website.
Contact: Kayla Stroner
Deadline: April 6, 2026
NEXT WEEK! Rural and Underserved GME Interest Group Event Almost Full
Attending the Annual Educational Conference next week? Only a few spaces remain for an in-person Rural and Underserved GME Interest Group event, taking place Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast will be provided. Participants must be registered for the conference to attend.
This networking session is intended for those working in rural and underserved areas to learn from one another’s experiences and is limited to 50 participants.
Email underserved@acgme.org to reserve a spot.
ACGME Seeks Members for Rural and Underserved GME Advisory Group
The ACGME seeks nominations of residents/fellows and a non-physician member of the public for the Rural and Underserved GME Advisory Group. This group provides consultation concerning implementation of the ACGME’s Rural and Underserved GME Framework. Nominations are due by April 19, 2026. Self-nominations are accepted for both roles.
The public member will serve up to three years with the option to renew for an additional three-year term.
Resident/fellow members will serve two-year terms.
Details: Additional information is available on the Rural and Underserved GME Advisory Group page of the ACGME website.
Contact: Laney McDougal
Deadline: April 19, 2026
Concurrent Application Pilot
This pilot program expedites the review of new Sponsoring Institution and program applications, particularly for those with a mission to serve rural and/or underserved areas.
Space remains for just five new Sponsoring Institutions before the pilot period ends June 30, 2026.
Learn more on the Rural and Underserved GME section of the website.
Email questions to underserved@acgme.org.
Leadership Skills Training Program for Chief Residents
This program prepares physicians for the role of chief resident, enhancing self-awareness and understanding of personal leadership attributes; developing knowledge and appreciation of group and interpersonal dynamics; and teaching skills critical to success and satisfaction as a clinician and leader. The program will be offered throughout the spring and summer at the ACGME office in Chicago, Illinois:
April 13-15, 2026
April 26-28, 2026
April 29-May 1, 2026
May 11-13, 2026
May 18-20, 2026
May 21-23, 2026
June 10-12, 2026
June 15-17, 2026
June 18-20, 2026
July 14-16, 2026
July 27-29, 2026
August 24-26, 2026
August 27-29, 2026
Developing Faculty Competencies in Assessment
Sessions: March 1-6; March 29-April 3, 2026
Details: Space is limited; interested individuals should register soon.
Participants learn how to build effective assessment programs for their residency or fellowship, with topics including assessment methods, direct observation, feedback, Clinical Competency Committees, and more. New for 2026 will be a session on AI in assessment.
Email questions about the course to facultydevelopment@acgme.org.
Email registration or payment questions to registration@acgme.org.
Faculty Development Hubs
The ACGME collaborates with institutions and organizations in the US and abroad to offer scaled, tailored versions of its Developing Faculty Competencies in Assessment course. See below for open courses and visit the Faculty Development Hubs web page for more information.
Mountain Area Health Education Center (in person; Asheville, North Carolina)
Washington University (in person; St. Louis, Missouri)
NEW EPISODE! Hot Topics in MedEd Podcast
Click the image to access the podcast.
In this episode, JGME Executive Editor Dr. Nicole Deiorio speaks with Drs. Rachel Wolfson and Jeffery Riddell about their article, “From Volume to Value: Curbing the Arms Race in Medical Student Research.” They discuss new changes to the ERAS application, the future of medical student research, and a call to action for program directors and the National Resident Matching Program.
Read the accompanying article: From Volume to Value: Curbing the Arms Race in Medical Student Research
NEW! Journal of Graduate Medical Education Articles of the Week
Megan Furnari, MD; Joyce Hollander-Rodriguez, MD; Margaret Rea, PhD
It can be challenging to successfully identify and prioritize wellness resources for residency programs within financially strained or smaller hospital systems. As part of COMPADRE (California Oregon Medical Partnership to Address Disparities in Rural Education and Health), learner well-being was identified as a key priority due to the significant challenges GME programs face in supporting residents. An adaptable collaborative wellness model was developed and met the wellness needs of GME programs by providing a wellness curriculum, peer support training, and a community of practice.
Alfredo Gutiérrez Hernández, MD, MScEd; Maura Pompa Mansilla, BA; Guadalupe Vadillo Bueno, PhD; Melchor Sánchez-Mendiola, MD, MHPE, DScEd
In this Original Research article, the authors sought to explore how Mexican medical residents perceive and use mobile devices to support their learning during clinical education and training. Residents reported using mobile digital devices primarily for clinical care information retrieval, procedure review, and self-directed study. Reported constraints included faculty member expectations regarding device use, privacy and data-handling concerns, unequal access and costs, infrastructure limitations, and educational tensions in clinical learning environments.