Accreditation site visits are essential for ensuring the Program Requirements for graduate medical education (GME) are met. Many program coordinators, particularly following COVID-19 pandemic-related turnover, lack formal training in file management and accreditation documentation. These gaps pose a challenge for large Sponsoring Institutions overseeing numerous programs with substantial site visit volume.
In this poster, Tanisha Davison showed the impact of training sessions developed to enhance coordinator preparedness for accreditation site visits. Ms. Davison presented her poster at the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, held February 20-22, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Poster Title: Enhancing Program Coordinator Preparedness for Accreditation Site Visits: Outcomes from Site Visit 101 and 102 Training Sessions
Author: Tanisha Davison, MBA
ACGME: Tell us about your academic and professional role.
Ms. Davison: I am currently the education coordinator for the neuroradiology fellowship and nuclear medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). My role involves overseeing program administration, ensuring compliance with program accreditation requirements, and supporting faculty members and learners in maintaining a high-quality educational experience. Prior to this, I worked as an accreditation analyst in our institutional GME Office, where I specialized in accreditation processes and program compliance from the institutional level.
ACGME: Can you briefly describe your research project for us?
Davison: My project focuses on improving program coordinators’ readiness for ACGME accreditation site visits. Given the shift from a predictable 10-year cycle to a randomized selection process, I observed that many coordinators, especially those new to the role at my institution, face challenges in maintaining accreditation documentation and preparing for site visits.
To address these challenges, I developed and led Site Visit 101 and 102 training sessions, which provided structured guidance on file management, accreditation requirements, and best practices for site visit preparation. This study evaluates the impact of these training sessions on coordinators’ confidence, knowledge, and ability to manage site visits effectively.
ACGME: What inspired you to do this project?
Davison: I was inspired by my experience working in the GME Office learning accreditation and noticing a knowledge gap among coordinators, particularly after post-[COVID-19] pandemic turnover. Many were struggling with understanding site visit requirements, which increased the risk of non-compliance. With the ACGME’s randomized site visit selection process, I saw an opportunity to create structured, practical training that could empower coordinators to feel more prepared, confident, and proactive in managing site visits.
ACGME: What did you discover?
Davison: I discovered that structured training significantly improved program coordinators’ knowledge, confidence, and preparedness for accreditation site visits. More than 75 coordinators attended each session, with more than 70 percent stating the training exceeded expectations and more than 85 percent expressing high satisfaction with the content. Participants reported feeling better equipped to manage site visits, particularly in areas like document organization and compliance strategies. The sessions also highlighted common challenges, such as outdated documentation and inconsistent formatting, emphasizing the need for continued support and training.
ACGME: What was the main takeaway?
Davison: The main takeaway from this research is that comprehensive, structured training significantly enhances program coordinators’ ability to manage accreditation site visits. The positive feedback and increased confidence levels among participants demonstrate the importance of ongoing professional development in GME, especially amongst program coordinators. Additionally, the study highlighted common challenges, such as document organization and outdated information, which should be addressed through continued education and institutional support.
ACGME: Who could benefit from this research?
Davison: This research is particularly beneficial for program coordinators, especially those who are new to accreditation or looking to strengthen their expertise in site visit preparation. GME Offices and Sponsoring Institutions overseeing multiple programs can use structured training sessions to standardize accreditation processes and improve overall compliance. Program directors and faculty members can also benefit by gaining a better understanding of the accreditation landscape, allowing them to provide stronger support to coordinators. Additionally, accreditation analysts responsible for GME compliance can integrate this training model into ongoing professional development initiatives. By implementing structured training, institutions can enhance program compliance, improve site visit outcomes, and reduce accreditation-related stress for coordinators.