ACGME Invokes Extraordinary Circumstances Policy for Two Recent Hospital Closings

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recently invoked its Extraordinary Circumstances Policy twice in anticipation of the closures of Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and Ohio Valley Medical Center (OVMC) in Wheeling, WV. Through its Extraordinary Circumstances Policy, the ACGME facilitates accreditation considerations that make it possible for residents and fellows to transfer to other programs. The ACGME is not directly involved in resident or fellow placement, or decisions related to funding.

Between July 23 and August 6, 2019, Hahnemann University Hospital voluntarily withdrew the ACGME accreditation of its 35 graduate medical education programs because of the hospital’s closure, displacing more than 550 residents and fellows. ACGME accreditation of the Hahnemann University Hospital as a sponsoring institution for GME programs was voluntarily withdrawn on August 8, 2019. More than 99 percent of Hahnemann University Hospital’s displaced residents and fellows have found new positions as of August 21. ACGME staff members will continue to monitor the transition of residents and fellows into their new programs. The ACGME expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response from the GME community, which made more than 1,500 positions available for residents and fellows to continue their education.

On August 7, 2019, Ohio Valley Medical Center informed its employees that it would close in 60 to 90 days. OVMC is a participating site for ACGME-accredited emergency medicine and internal medicine residency programs under the institutional sponsorship of Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (MSOPTI). MSOPTI and OVMC are preparing for the imminent closure of both residency programs, which will displace approximately 32 residents.

If your internal medicine or emergency medicine program can accommodate the transfer of displaced OVMC residents, the ACGME is offering to register your program’s available positions in the ACGME Accreditation Data System (ADS) database. Learn more in the most recent ACGME newsroom update.

For the most up to date coverage, please visit the ACGME newsroom.