Program Directors Full-Day Course: Updated Content and More Engagement at #ACGME2026

The Full-Day Course for program directors, “Be the Best Program Director You Can Be,” returns to the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, with a bit of a refresh, featuring expanded content, new interactive elements, and opportunities for direct engagement with ACGME leaders and volunteers. Updated for 2026, and historically one of the most valuable experiences for the more than 700 program directors who attend annually, this course continues to be an essential resource for understanding the accreditation process, networking with other program directors, and interactive professional development.

What’s New This Year
Refined based on participant evaluations, the 2026 course offers more interactive engagement opportunities and practical takeaways. A new roundtable discussion and report portion will invite attendees to explore real-world challenges through case studies, followed by feedback and insights from a panel of current program directors.

The speakers will also be available for Q and A at the conclusion of the course, before the evening’s Welcoming Reception and Exhibitor Kick-Off event.

Core Content Areas
As in past years, the course will cover foundational topics essential to new and seasoned program directors, including:

• An ACGME Overview, presented by ACGME Chief Accreditation Officer Mary Klingensmith, MD
• The Annual Review Process: The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Accreditation, presented by Executive Directors Cindy Riyad, PhD and Laura Huth, MBA
• Well-Being in GME, presented by ACGME Vice President, Well-Being Stuart Slavin, MD, MEd
• Milestones and the Clinical Competency Committee, presented by ACGME Council of Review Committee Chairs (CRCC) Chair and Vice Chair, Laura Green, MD, and Manuel Vallejo, MD
• Common Citations, presented by ACGME Senior Vice President, Accreditation Nikhil Goyal, MBBS
• Open Q and A with a Panel of Current Program Directors
• Open Q and A with a Panel of ACGME Review Committee Executive Directors

Additional Insights
Attendees will be able to hear from and connect directly with the ACGME’s senior accreditation team, and the CRCC Chair and Vice Chair, providing a unique opportunity to engage with both ACGME staff and volunteer leadership.

Who Should Attend
The course is designed primarily for program directors with fewer than five years of experience in the role, but any program director is welcome to attend. Returning attendees, especially those looking for updated insights, new case discussion, and deeper interaction with peers and leaders, will find the 2026 session valuable.

With its refreshed format, interactive approach, and direct access to ACGME experts, the 2026 version of the Full-Day Course for program directors promises to once again deliver exactly what program directors need: new and helpful information about ACGME accreditation; peer networking; and relevant, timely, and interactive professional development. By the end of the day, participants will leave not only with practical tools and deeper insights, but also with a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

The session schedule for the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference is live! Check out more details about this Full-Day Course and all sessions being offered and start planning your own conference agenda. Be sure to sign up to be notified as soon as registration opens.