This interview is one in a series of interviews with the 2025 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 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, taking place February 20-22, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Lawrence M. Opas is the recipient of the 2025 John C. Gienapp Award for dedication to GME through outstanding contributions to the enhancement of residency education and ACGME accreditation activities. He is a pediatrician and pediatric nephrologist, and the designated institutional official (DIO) and senior associate dean for GME at USC/LA General Medical Center. Dr. Opas discussed his serendipitous path to leadership in GME and the joy and importance of connecting with the GME community.
ACGME: How did you become involved in medicine, and in academic medicine specifically?
Dr. Opas: Serendipity.
I was a professionally lost junior student majoring in psychology during the Free Speech Movement era at Berkeley. So I went to the counseling center, took aptitude tests, and was strongly advised to stay the course or transition to a business or math major, but, for sure, stay away from biological sciences. I said thank you, left, and almost immediately decided to challenge myself by going to medical school. As far as academic medicine, and GME in particular, I was asked by the pediatric residents at LA County just six months into my faculty position to be their new program director when the standing program director unexpectedly resigned. My path to DIO was also unusual in that I am a self-appointed DIO. I was asked to serve as interim chief medical officer at LA County for three months. The DIO was one of my direct reports. A few days into my tenure, the then DIO had a sudden health issue precluding him from working, and the Sponsoring Institution was facing an ACGME site visit. Over the next three days, I asked all 42 program directors if they wanted to be the DIO and the only one that was left to say “yes” was facing me in the mirror. The new dean, who was three days into his tenure, agreed, and together we typed out a one-sentence appointment letter. The rest is history.
ACGME: How do you feel about receiving the Gienapp Award?
Opas: Surprised, honored, and grateful for all the mentorship and support I have received from my patients, GME colleagues, and family.
ACGME: What do you think is one of your greatest contributions to graduate medical education?
Opas: Generating enough trust from colleagues across the US that they felt comfortable seeking my advice and guidance, particularly when facing significant and unwanted issues.
ACGME: You’ve spent the last five decades devoting your career to GME as both a program director and DIO, as well as a volunteer on the ACGME’s Institutional Review Committee (IRC) and Sponsoring Institution 2025 Task Force. What has been the most rewarding part of your career in GME?
Opas: Serving as vice chair and subsequently chair of the IRC has been the most rewarding part of my career. My goal was to ensure the community of DIOs, including the new DIOs transitioning from American Osteopathic Association to ACGME institutional accreditation, had trust in our committee to make consistent and fair accreditation decisions and serve as advocates for DIOs, Graduate Medical Education Committees, and GME stakeholders when involved in non-accreditation decisions. I was supported by a wonderful group of committee members and blended the seriousness of our decision-making with the enjoyment of many memorable social events.
ACGME: How many times have you attended the ACGME Annual Educational Conference and what is the most meaningful part of the conference for you?
Opas: I think this year is number 18 or 19. The most meaningful parts of the Annual Educational Conference are that I get to share stories and laughs with colleagues and friends in learning sessions and across the dinner table, establish new connections, and always come away learning something new that makes me a better leader to hopefully advantage residents, program directors and coordinators, other GME stakeholders, and most of all, our patients.
ACGME: Is there anything else you would like to add that we haven't asked about?
Opas: Rarely, if ever, say “no” to new and challenging opportunities and let serendipity guide your career.
Learn more about the ACGME’s John C. Gienapp Award and nominate a deserving GME leader for the 2026 Award – nominations are due by March 2, 2025.