Celebrating Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Awards 2025
Celebrating Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Awards 2025
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has announced the prestigious recipients of the 2025 ACGME Awards, honoring the achievements, diversity, and immense contributions from the graduate medical education community. These awards will be presented at the upcoming 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, where the spotlight will shine on those making significant strides in medical training and education.
Recognizing Outstanding Contributions
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the ACGME Award recipients for your remarkable achievements that continuously advance every aspect of graduate medical education. Your contributions have greatly enhanced the field and serve as a source of inspiration for others committed to improving public health,” expressed ACGME President and CEO Dr. Thomas J. Nasca.
John C. Gienapp Distinguished Service Award
The John C. Gienapp Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals dedicated to improving residency and fellowship education. This year, the award will be bestowed upon Dr. Lawrence M. Opas of the USC/LA General Medical Center. Dr. Opas has dedicated over five decades to the field, notably establishing the MEDS PEDS program and leading both the internal medicine-pediatrics and pediatrics programs for 25 years. His expertise and commitment have also led him to a significant role as the designated institutional official at USC/LA General Hospital Center since 2001. His involvement with ACGME includes a seven-year tenure on the Institutional Review Committee and co-chairing the Sponsoring Institution 2025 Task Force.
Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
This award celebrates ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institutions and initiatives focused on diversifying the physician workforce and cultivating inclusive environments. The recipients for 2025 include:
- Nth Dimensions (Non-profit organization)
- American College of Surgeons (Non-profit organization)
- Stanford Pediatrics Residency Program
- WashU Medicine Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Innovations in Graduate Medical Education
The David C. Leach Award honors residents and fellows promoting innovation in their programs while emphasizing humanism in medicine. The 2025 awardees are:
- Lauren G. Bojarski, DO, MS; University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Neurology
- Mikael Guzman Karlsson, MD, PhD; Baylor College of Medicine, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- Alexandra Schoenberger, MD, MSEd; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
- Kaitlin R. Snapp, MD; University of Cincinnati, Internal Medicine
Recognition of Program Coordinators
Through the Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award, coordinators are recognized for their dedication and skills in enhancing residency and fellowship programs. This year’s recipients include:
- Maggie Baker, C-TAGME; University of Cincinnati, Neurology
- Dolores L. Garcia, AA; University of New Mexico, Family Medicine
- Janice M. Gleisner, BA, MBA, C-TAGME; Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Alyssa Schappe; University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Plastic Surgery
- Ashley T. Taylor, BHA, C-TAGME; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Leadership and Excellence Honored
The GME Institutional Coordinator Excellence Award celebrates institutional coordinators managing complex roles in graduate medical education. The 2025 awardees comprise:
- Marcie L. Becker, MEd; The MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve University
- Bethany J. Figg, DEdT, MBA, MLIS, C-TAGME; Central Michigan University College of Medicine
- Joanne M. Maier, BS; Allegheny Health Network Medical Education Consortium
Courage to Lead and Teach
The Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award recognizes DIOs for exemplary leadership. The 2025 recipients are:
- Alice Reeves Goepfert, MD; University of Alabama Hospital
- A. Michelle Thompson, MD; Geisinger
Moreover, the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, recognizing program directors who inspire innovation, goes to:
- John A. Andrilli, MD, FACP; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West, Internal Medicine
- J. Christian Barrett, MD; Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Hematology and Medical Oncology
- Melissa E. Brunsvold, MD, FACS, FCCM; University of Minnesota, Surgery
- Berdale S. Colorado, DO, MPH; Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Jonathan Stuart Crane, DO, FAAD, FAOCD; Campbell University/Sampson Regional Medical Center, Dermatology
- Marcie Feinman, MD, MEHP, FACS; Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Surgery
- Jeffrey B. Friedrich, MD, MC, FACS; University of Washington, Plastic Surgery
- Charles Kwon, MD; Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Pediatrics
- Kellee Oller, MD, FACP; USF Morsani College of Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Tajnoos Yazdany, MD; Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology
The ACGME Awards highlight excellence within graduate medical education and promote the continual growth and enrichment of the field. Interviews with this year’s exceptional awardees will be featured on the ACGME Blog leading up to the conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ACGME Awards?
The ACGME Awards recognize outstanding contributions in graduate medical education, celebrating achievements across various categories.
When will the 2025 ACGME Awards be presented?
The awards will be presented during the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, scheduled for February 20-22, 2025.
Who is eligible for the ACGME Awards?
Eligibility includes individuals and organizations within the graduate medical education community making significant contributions to education and training.
How can one learn more about the recipients?
More information and interviews with recipients will be highlighted on the ACGME Blog as the conference date approaches.
What categories exist for the ACGME Awards?
The awards cover various categories, including service, diversity, innovation, and excellence in program coordination.
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