#ACGME2025 Featured Plenaries: Complex Issues, Innovative Solutions

October 23, 2024

The ACGME is committed to bringing the graduate medical education (GME) community the brightest minds and most dynamic ideas as part of the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference.

After Thursday’s schedule of Full-Day Courses and Welcoming Reception and Exhibitor Kick-Off event, Friday morning’s agenda will begin with ACGME President and Chief Executive Officer Debra Weinstein, MD's delivery of her first President's Plenary. Following that session, attendees will choose from four Featured Plenaries, each offering vital information on timely topics in GME. Read on to learn more about these dynamic sessions.

Keep Calm and Carry On: Managing Crisis in GME
For the last eight years, this has been one of the highest-attended workshops of the conference. This year, it is being presented as a fireside chat and one of the conference’s Featured Plenaries. Speakers will engage in a frank discussion about crisis situations they’ve managed, the lessons they learned during those difficult times, and share how to plan for the logistics of common crisis in GME and how to tailor communications in those stressful moments. Attendees will receive a crisis response plan template to shape crisis management in their own institutions and programs.

Strategies to Manage the Evolution of Title IX: What GME Leaders Should Know
Gender discrimination is rising to the forefront of GME during this time of significant health care strain. Faculty members, residents, and fellows at all levels face microaggressions, harassment, and other challenges that impact their careers and well-being. This Featured Plenary will familiarize attendees with the federal legislation known as Title IX, explain the protections it offers, and help the audience identify which actions may be a violation of the statute. The speakers will also offer recommendations for developing a supportive environment for all faculty members, residents, and fellows.

Physician Workforce Shortage: How States Are Responding
In response to physician shortages in certain areas, some US states have passed legislation to allow international medical school graduates (IMGs) to obtain full licensure without completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program. Speakers will explore the workforce pressures that have prompted this legislation and explain the current and proposed legislative actions. To ensure patient safety and the well-being of candidates pursuing this route to licensure, the Federation of State Medical Boards, Intealth, and the ACGME formed the Advisory Commission on Alternate Pathways for State Licensure of International Medical Graduates. The guidance developed by the Advisory Commission will provide state medical boards with a uniform approach to implementing the various laws through regulation. (The Commission is seeking feedback on this guidance through December 16; learn more here.)

Remediation of Professionalism Issues in Residency
One of the most difficult responsibilities for program directors is handling learner deficiencies and lapses in professionalism. While some violations are so egregious that disciplinary issues are handled by the state medical board, most professionalism breaches are handled internally by the program. Remediation of professionalism is a complex process, with little evidence to guide program leaders on the best course of action. This Featured Plenary will tackle this difficult subject, highlighting how using a professionalism contract can outline the expectations a program has for its learners and serve as a remediation guide in dealing with deficiencies in professionalism.


Visit the conference website to learn more about the Featured Plenaries and presenters, and to browse all of the exceptional learning opportunities and other activities being offered at #ACGME2025. Conference registration will open in the coming weeks, so sign up to be notified as soon as it does, and check the website regularly for updates. We look forward to seeing you there!