Why did the ACGME establish the Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award?
Diversity of the physician and biomedical research workforce has direct beneficial impact on health disparity elimination. There is great wisdom, creativity, empathy, and innovation in graduate medical education (GME) that can be brought to bear on this essential issue. The creation of an award to recognize ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institutions and programs and specialty organizations working to diversify the underrepresented physician workforce and create inclusive workplaces that foster humane, civil, and equitable environments will serve as both motivation and demonstration that GME can play an important role in advancing the mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine.

The inaugural award was given in 2021. In March 2021, the ACGME renamed the award to honor Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, DO in honor of Dr. Ross-Lee’s illustrious career, contributions to graduate medical education (GME), and expertise on health policy.

Who is eligible for the award?
Sponsoring Institutions

• Sponsoring Institutions must have a status of Continued Accreditation.
• Nominees must not have been a previous recipient of the award, although different programs within a previously recognized Sponsoring Institution remain eligible to apply.

Programs

• Program being nominated must have a status of Continued Accreditation.
• Nominees must not have been a previous recipient of the award, although different programs within a previously recognized Sponsoring Institution remain eligible to apply.

Specialty Organizations

• Nominations must be for a regional or national diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative.
• Nominees must not have been a previous recipient of the award.

What is awarded?
Award winners will be publicly honored for their achievement on the ACGME website, in a press release, with a commemorative award plaque, and in a display of awardees in the ACGME office.

How many awards will be granted?
Up to two awards will be presented each year. Sponsoring Institutions, programs, and specialty organizations are eligible, but not every category of organizations will be awarded each year.

When will the award winners be announced?
Selections will be made by the ACGME Awards Committee at its fall 2021 meeting; afterwards, ACGME President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Thomas J. Nasca will notify the recipients. Award announcements will be published in a press release, the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, and the ACGME e-Communication, and posted on the ACGME website.

Who can submit nominations?
Designated institutional officials and Chief Diversity Officers can nominate their own or another Sponsoring Institution.

Program directors, department Chairs, and departmental Diversity Officers can nominate their own or another program.

Leaders of a specialty organization’s Diversity Committee/Council can nominate either their own or another specialty organization.

How is a nomination submitted?
Download the applicable nomination form (Sponsoring Institution, Program, Specialty Organization), complete it, and submit it along with the four required support letters. Assemble all materials and scan them into a single PDF document; all materials (nomination form and support letters) must arrive by email in one PDF. Material received in piecemeal or that includes unsigned letters will not be accepted. Submission specifics are detailed in the Nomination Form.

How will nominations be judged?
Emphasis will be placed on evidence of impact, innovation, assessment of success, and scalability as the effort pertains to growth of the number of learners in the medical pathway; on successful growth of faculty diversity; on the retention of diverse residents/fellows and faculty members; and the growth of diversity within a particular specialty. Equally weighted consideration will be given to large and small programs and institutions, as well as consortiums or collaborations among institutions and programs, or across specialties.

Who is the contact for questions about the nomination process?
Direct any questions to Rosita Ragin: rragin@acgme.org or 312.755.7035.

What is the deadline for nominations?
All nominations must be received by April 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Central. Nominations received after that date/time will not be accepted.

Is there a limit to the number of nominations one can submit?
There is no limit. Sponsoring Institutions, programs, and specialty organizations may self-nominate or be nominated by peers.