Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Awardee Lisa Willett, MD, MACM, is the internal medicine residency program director and vice chair for education in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

This edition of the ACGME's e-Communication includes information on ACGME Board actions, the new Emergency and Non-Emergency Category designations for programs dealing with an influx of COVID-19 patients, calls for resident and public members for Review Committees, and more.

Letter from ACGME President & CEO Dr. Thomas J. Nasca describing the changes being implemented to respond to the current environment, balanced with accreditation responsibilities to residents and fellows, patients, and the public.

The ACGME is issuing supplemental guidance regarding how a Sponsoring Institution’s days in Emergency Category status will be counted; protection of resident, fellow, and faculty member health and safety; and assessment of residents and fellows.

An upcoming panel discussion and listening session, “Program Director Well-Being: Finding a Path Forward,” designed for program directors aims to create a space to share experiences and hear from peers on issues related to program director well-being.

Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, West Virginia will close inpatient and ancillary services by July 30, 2020. Eighteen residents will be displaced and the ACGME has opened ADS to aid with resident transfers. 

ACGME President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Thomas J. Nasca received the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) 2020 Distinguished Service Award recognizing “the highest level of service, commitment and contribution to the FSMB; the advancement of the profession of medical licensure and discipline; and the strengthening and enhancement of public protection.”

Recognizing that the function of the US health system is at stake due to dangerously mounting health care system pressures, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)’s National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being calls for immediate action to safeguard this precious national resource dedicated to protecting the nation’s health.

The family medicine residency program at Mercy in St. Louis, Missouri was recently approved by the ACGME for an optional fourth year focusing on leading community efforts in public health care related to obesity and associated conditions.