Thanks to all who attended the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference! Over three days, close to 5,000 people from across the globe gathered for the world’s largest graduate medical education (GME) event.
Guided by the theme Meaning in Medicine, the conference underscored the importance of sustaining purpose and joy in the vital work of health care professionals and educators. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking educational sessions, strengthened connections with colleagues, and reflected on the motivations that drew them to the field. The shared commitment to serving the public and advancing high-quality patient care was evident throughout the conference.
SAVE THE DATE!
February 25-27, 2027
Henry B. Gonzáles
Convention Center
San Antonio, Texas
Annual Educational Conference Job Board
The Job Board will remain active through March 31, 2026.
View Current Job Opportunities
Email questions to conferencejobboard@acgme.org.
Requirement Revisions Approved
At its February meeting, the Board of Directors approved the following:
Major revision of the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation effective July 1, 2026. The Requirements are available under the “Program Requirements Effective 7/1/2026” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section of the ACGME website.
Interim revision of the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, effective July 1, 2026. The Requirements are available under the “Program Requirements Effective 7/1/2026” heading on the Program Requirements and FAQs and Applications page of the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine section of the ACGME website.
NEW! ACGME LINC | Next Session
Topic: Annual Educational Conference Highlights
Date and Time: March 16, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Central
Who: All Roles in GME
ACGME LINC [Listening, Information, News, Collaboration] is an opportunity for the GME community to interact with the ACGME, hear from ACGME representatives, and receive updates and information on ACGME activities.
Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Miss a previous session? View recordings of past sessions in Learn at ACGME. (Note: A free account is required to access these.)
View upcoming topics and session dates on the ACGME LINC page of the ACGME website.
Email questions to outreach@acgme.org.
NEW! Combined Programs Update
The board curricular requirements for the following combined program formats are now posted in the table on the Combined Programs page:
- Pediatrics-Psychiatry-Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (New)
- Medical Genetics and Genomics-Pediatrics (Updated)
The FAQs for Accreditation of Combined Programs have been updated and can be accessed on the Combined Programs page.
Curricular requirements for the remaining formats will be posted as they become available.
Specialty-specific questions should be directed to the relevant Review Committee staff members.
NEXT WEEK! Accreditation Site Visit Office Hours
Session: March 13, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central
Zoom Link: Click here to register
These office hours provide an informal opportunity to ask questions about accreditation site visits. Accreditation Field Representatives and other Field Activities staff members will be available to answer questions.
Email questions to Director, Field Activities Operations Andrea Chow.
TWO WEEKS! 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.
Access the ACGME Awards Section
Email questions to acgmeawards@acgme.org.
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.
A travel stipend is included to help cover costs associated with meetings.
Proposals are due by April 20, 2026.
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.
Proposed Program Requirements
The following Program Requirements and accompanying Impact Statements are posted for review and comment, here:
FRIDAY! Comment Deadline: March 6, 2026
Emergency Medical Services
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine
NEW! Non-Standard Training (NST) Office Hours
Session: March 26 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central
Details: Director of Sponsoring Institutions Projects Katharina Wang will host office hours to provide GME community members with an informal opportunity to ask questions about the recognition of Sponsoring Institutions with NST programs for physicians with J-1 visas.
Seeking Child Neurology Program Directors for Interviews
The Review Committee for Neurology will soon begin work on the 10-year major revision of the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Child Neurology.
To inform the next set of Program Requirements, the ACGME seeks current child neurology program directors who are interested in participating in a one-on-one, one-hour interview to provide their perspective on the future of child neurology residency education. The ACGME is also seeking current child neurology program directors interested in participating in a Stakeholder Summit, scheduled to take place in person in Chicago on December 14-16, 2026.
A series of activities designed to gather relevant information is planned, including a literature review; interviews with members of key stakeholder groups; development and administration of a survey on key issues relevant to child neurology education; and the stakeholder summit.
Participate in Interviews and/or Stakeholder Summit
Email questions to shapinggme@acgme.org.
Seeking Neurology Program Directors for Interviews
The Review Committee for Neurology will soon begin work on the 10-year major revision of the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Neurology.
To inform the next set of Program Requirements, the ACGME seeks current neurology program directors who are interested in participating in a one-on-one, one-hour interview to provide their perspective on the future of neurology residency education. The ACGME is also seeking current neurology program directors interested in participating in a Stakeholder Summit, scheduled to take place in person in Chicago on December 14-16, 2026.
A series of activities designed to gather relevant information is planned, including a literature review; interviews with members of key stakeholder groups; development and administration of a survey on key issues relevant to neurology education; and the stakeholder summit.
Participate in Interviews and/or Stakeholder Summit
Email questions to shapinggme@acgme.org.
NEXT WEEK! 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! Transitional Year Review Committee Member Nominations Open
The Review Committee seeks three physician members to serve six-year terms beginning July 1, 2027. Candidates must be certified in family medicine, internal medicine, or ophthalmology through a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association.
Details: Additional information is available under Documents and Resources in the Transitional Year section of the ACGME website.
Contact: Deneen McCall
Deadline: August 21, 2026
ACGME Seeks Resident/Fellow Members
The following Review Committees seek nominations for their next resident member.
NEW! TRANSITIONAL YEAR
Details: Additional information is available under Documents and Resources in the Transitional Year section of the ACGME website. The term begins July 1, 2027, and ends June 30, 2029.
Contact: Deneen McCall
Deadline: August 21, 2026
OSTEOPATHIC NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE
Details: Additional information is available under Documents and Resources in the Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine section of the ACGME website. The term begins July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2028.
Contact: Kayla Stroner
Deadline: April 6, 2026
ACGME Seeks Public Member
The following Review Committee seeks its next public member for a six-year term beginning July 1, 2027. Public members share the perspective of the public, foster public accountability, enrich the work of the Review Committee through outside expertise, and create transparency. While nominees cannot be physicians, other health care professionals are permitted if they are not employed by an organization with ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs.
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Details: Additional information is available under Documents and Resources in the Ophthalmology section of the ACGME website.
Contact: Shellie Bardgett
Deadline: April 6, 2026
NEXT WEEK! Rural and Underserved GME Interest Group
Date and Time: March 10, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central
Topic: Internal Medicine GME in Rural and Underserved Areas: Part 2
These Zoom calls are open to the entire GME community. Recordings of past sessions are available in the Rural and Underserved GME Resource Center in Learn at ACGME. (Note: A free Learn at ACGME account is required to access the recordings.)
Watch the recordings of previous sessions in this specialty series:
- January 2026 – Internal Medicine GME in Rural and Underserved Areas: Part 1
- December 2025 – Family Medicine GME in Rural and Urban Underserved Areas
- November 2025 – Psychiatry GME in Rural and Underserved Areas
- October 2025 – Obstetrics and Gynecology GME in Rural and Underserved Areas
Register for the March Interest Group
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
NEXT WEEK! Self-Empowerment Workshop for Coordinators
Session: March 9-17, 2026
Details: This is a seven-day online workshop with one interactive, live session on March 12 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Central. Participants must begin Day 1 on March 9.
Learn practical strategies for acting as a leader in the coordinator role, successful networking, overcoming challenges to professionalism, promoting achievements, and effectively navigating complex interpersonal situations.
Continuing Education Credit
This activity has been approved for continuing education credit by the Training Administrators of Graduate Medical Education (TAGME). Participants who complete the course in its entirety are eligible to receive 10 education credits in the content area of professional development.
This free workshop is repeated monthly.
Email questions to learn@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
Session: 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! Journal of Graduate Medical Education (JGME) Articles of the Week
An Analysis of Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator Job Descriptions
Lauren Anderson, PhD; Katherine Wright, PhD, MPH; Kaitlyn Keffler, MD; Jory Eaton, MBA, C-TAGME; Megham Twiss, MAT, MDiv; Kathleen Rowland, MD, MS
Program coordinators play a critical role in managing the daily operations of GME programs, but job descriptions vary widely. The authors of this study analyzed 77 job descriptions, and found that program coordinator roles lack standardization, suggesting a need for clearer, more consistent job descriptions to support role clarity and professional development.
Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; Katharine Hicks, MPH; Lauren Hunt, MSPH; Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, MD, MBA
Residents and fellows often avoid seeking mental health care due to stigma and fear of professional consequences, with licensing applications historically serving as a major barrier. This study examining US state licensure materials identified five persistent barriers in licensing applications.