Honoring Our Volunteers: ACGME 2025 National Volunteer Month Celebration

April marks National Volunteer Month, which provides a special opportunity to recognize the many dedicated individuals who contribute their time and expertise to the ACGME toward the shared goal of advancing graduate medical education (GME) and improving patient care.

Recognizing the Last Five Years of Volunteering
Volunteers form the foundation of the ACGME’s work. A 2021 blog post recognized volunteers as an integral part of the make-up of the organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of volunteers shifted seamlessly to continue their work online. In a 2022 message to the community, then-President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Thomas J. Nasca highlighted how 700 volunteers continued their essential roles of assisting in the ACGME’s Mission as the organization emerged from the fog of the pandemic.

Despite hard times, ACGME volunteers have continued to expand and are at the heart of the organization. In 2024, the number of volunteers topped 800, contributing over 65,000 hours of their time!

Volunteers serve in numerous critical roles, including on Review and Recognition Committees, the Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Evaluation Committee, appeals panels, councils of the Board of Directors, advisory groups, and more – ensuring that the work of the ACGME has ongoing excellence and represents the current and future needs of GME and the public.

Volunteer Impact in 2025
Volunteers participate in nearly every aspect of the work of the ACGME. Below is a breakdown of the volunteer groups and their membership.

Looking Ahead
Many opportunities exist for medical educators, physicians, and professionals to contribute to the work at the ACGME, including serving on committees, participating in accreditation reviews, and engaging in educational initiatives. Volunteer opportunities can be one-time contributions, or memberships that span several years!

This year, as the organization welcomes the leadership of a new President and CEO, Dr. Debra F. Weinstein, the ACGME continues to focus on innovative and collaborative ideas that make a difference in the GME community and in public health. Volunteers are not just kind-hearted individuals; they are experts and colleagues who often juggle full-time jobs in GME. They include physicians, such as residents, fellows, faculty members, program directors, and designated institutional officials; as well as public representatives, physician educators, federal government representatives, specialty and society organization representatives, and others. Their commitment to volunteering, despite their demanding schedules, highlights their dedication to the Mission of the ACGME, and more importantly, to making a positive difference in the lives of physician learners, their peers, and the public.

Join Us and Volunteer!
Opportunities to contribute your expertise in and passion for health care and medical education are always available and constantly changing. We announce these openings through various channels, including on the ACGME’s social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, so be sure to follow us to stay up to date. If you do not already receive the weekly e-Communication and are interested, email ACGMECommunications@acgme.org to be added to the distribution list. You can also review the content of the e-Communication each week on the website.

To view available Milestones volunteer opportunities, visit the Engagement page of the Milestones section of the website.

Review and Recognition Committees annually solicit new members for various roles. To nominate yourself or a colleague, check the e-Communication throughout the year to confirm availability.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, the ACGME’s staff and leadership extend their deep appreciation to all those who volunteer to support our important work and Mission. Your passion, dedication, and expertise continue to shape the future of GME, and we salute and thank you.