AOGME Responds to Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

May 29, 2020

I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of AOGME and look forward to working with you to respond to the challenges the GME community faces now and in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the Osteopathic GME community and we stand prepared to support you as you respond to these challenges.

To respond to the uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate peer-to-peer communication and exchange of ideas, AOGME is hosting bi-weekly member-only discussion forums. These have been valuable opportunities for members to share experiences, approaches and ideas as they respond to complex issues.

One key area of concern for the GME community is recruitment, screening and selection of applicants for residency positions for the 2020-2021 cycle. Earlier this month, AOGME leadership provided guidance to members to help in their considerations for this year’s selection process. In addition, we are planning a virtual residency fair on Friday, August 14, 1:00-9:00 PM ET, pre-register your program/institution today. Finally, AOGME was involved in the Coalition for Physician Accountability efforts to respond to the pandemic and its impact on medical education through two working groups. View the recommendations for medical students in the class of 2021 moving across institutions for post graduate training here and recommendations for learner transitions from medical schools to residency programs in 2020  here.

We continue to explore innovative approaches to address the challenges we are facing today, please reach out to us at aogme@aacom.org if you have ideas about how we can support you or concerns.

AOGME Webinars Series

We continue to provide our members with timely and relevant educational programming. This week, we hosted a webinar on Virtual Interviews for Residency Applications  which garnered over 600 registrants.

Be sure to tune into our upcoming webinar on June 17, at 4:00 PM ET as part of our awareness campaign for Osteopathic Recognition. On this webinar, Resident Physicians, Dr. Dyer and Dr. Stumph, along with Dr. Snyder, will present approaches to engage allopathic resident physicians in programs with Osteopathic Recognition. Register for the webinar here. Also be sure to view the April webinar on Perspectives and Best Practices in Osteopathic Recognition.

Call for Nominations for UME-GME Transition Review Committee

The Coalition for Physician Accountability has issued a Call for Nominations for a UME-GME Review Committee to make recommendations to improve the transition from UME to GME. This Committee will be responsible for identifying changes to improve among other issues, the preparation/selection for residency and the application process. Nomination materials are to be submitted by Monday, June 15, 2020 on the following form.

Please take a moment to renew your 2020-2021 AOGME membership today. We thank all who have renewed their 2020-21 AOGME membership! Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with direct inquires by emailing aogme@aacom.org  or calling us at 301-657-7881.

Thank you,

Thomas Mohr, MS, DO, FACOI, FAOGME