ACGME President and CEO Thomas J. Nasca, MD, MACP received a standing ovation for his fourth annual update on the progress of implementing a single GME accreditation system at the AOA House of Delegates on July 26, 2019 in Chicago.
Dr. Nasca spoke to more than 500 DOs and medical students about the key benefits of a unified accreditation system to the public, including: assuring consistent evaluation and accountability for the competence of residents and fellows across all programs; eliminating unnecessary duplication; and fostering collaboration to address key challenges facing the profession and the public.
He shared successes, such as the addition of six DOs in various key roles on the ACGME Board of Directors, with two more to join the Board upon completion of the transition next year. The ACGME Review and Recognition Committees now also include 67 osteopathic physicians, including four chairs and four vice chairs.
“Tremendous progress has been made in achieving our shared goals while preserving our respective strengths. Ninety-two percent of AOA-approved programs that have applied have been accredited by the ACGME,” Dr. Nasca said, adding, “The future of American medicine is stronger through inclusion of osteopathic colleagues, values, and culture in a unified GME accreditation system.”
Earlier in the week, the ACGME hosted a reception for the osteopathic community at its Chicago office. Timothy Brigham, MDiv, PhD, ACGME chief of staff and chief education and organizational development officer, welcomed Kevin Klauer, DO, the new CEO of the American Osteopathic Association, and Robert A. Cain, DO, the new CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. He thanked the members of the GME community for their dedication to the transition, and led everyone in celebrating the successes achieved to date.
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