ACGME President and CEO Dr. Nasca kicked off his Saturday morning session at the Annual Educational Conference with some “non-rhetorical” questions: Can anyone predict what the health care system will look like in 2035? Can anyone predict how long your residents will practice? 40 years?

After stumping the room, he went on to explain that it is our job is to prepare residents to practice in the future—not to arm them with practices, skills, and knowledge of the present. We want our residents to be prepared not just for 2018 but for 2035—and beyond.

For the first time since 2012, the ACGME today presented the John C. Gienapp Distinguished Service Award to Timothy C. Flynn, MD, FACS. The award is named for Dr. John Gienapp, who was the ACGME’s Executive Director for 19 years. Dr. Gienapp made several important contributions to GME and ACGME accreditation, and when he retired this award was established in his honor to recognize those who, like himself, dedicated themselves to a career in graduate medical education and made outstanding contributions to residency education and ACGME activities in a variety of ways.

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.

To provide clarity for trainees and programs during this extraordinary time, the ABMS and ACGME offer the following statement of joint principles and will continue to address ongoing developments.

As the nation and world face the evolving COVID-19 (SARS COV2) crisis, the ACGME has granted a significant degree of flexibility to accredited Sponsoring Institutions and programs to realign their resident and fellow workforce to meet the increased clinical demands created by the pandemic. This flexibility with expectations is provided consistent with the ACGME’s commitment to patient safety and resident/fellow safety.

As a resource to the graduate medical education community, the ACGME is sharing the following statement from the AOA regarding COVID-19.

The ACGME issued a statement April 5, 2020 regarding its expectations within the clinical learning environment amidst the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). This statement is updated to include a link to resources on optimizing PPE.

The ACGME recognizes and honors the extraordinary courage and commitment of those  working on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic to care for Americans in need, despite the toll it takes on their personal well-being.

The ACGME is sharing the webinar, “Requirements for ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match, the Pathways: A Resources for Leaders in US Graduate Medical Education” as a courtesy to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).