Help Shape AOGME's Next Chapter

AOGME Chair’s Message | October 2026
Kenneth Heiles, DO

 Dear AOGME Members,

 As your new chair, I was encouraged by the thoughtful conversations at our September 14–15 AOGME Board strategic planning retreat and leadership meeting. A shared question guided our discussions: How can AOGME better support you while strengthening osteopathic education across the medical education continuum?

 Several priorities emerged: developing the next generation of leaders, supporting osteopathic learning environments, expanding training opportunities in rural and underserved communities, and building stronger connections between undergraduate and graduate medical education. These discussions will help shape our next steps, and your perspective is essential.

 What would make AOGME more valuable to you? Where do you need support, and what successful approaches could others learn from? Please share your ideas with us on this member survey or at aogme@aacom.org.

 I also encourage you to review and respond to the proposed ACGME Common Program Requirements revisions. Your experience can help identify changes that support high-quality education and those that may create challenges for programs or learners. Please send feedback to aogme@aacom.org  by October 9 to inform AACOM/AOGME’s response. Comments submitted directly to ACGME are due October 22, 2026.

 Our educational programming offers another way to stay connected and support your colleagues and learners. This month’s residency webinars address red flags in interviews on October 5 and effective communication for the Class of 2027 on October 12, both at 7:00 pm ET. Please share these opportunities with your students and explore our upcoming and on-demand AOGME webinars.

 Thank you for the expertise, service and commitment you bring to this community. I look forward to hearing from you and working together to advance osteopathic graduate medical education. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with direct inquires by emailing aogme@aacom.org.

 Sincerely,

Kenneth Heiles, DO
Chair, AOGME