My Volunteering Experience: A Q and A with John Patrick T. Co, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAP
This interview is part of a series of interviews with ACGME volunteers during National Volunteer Month.
Dr. John Patrick T. Co is vice president of Education and the designated institutional official at Mass General Brigham, and associate professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
He currently serves on the ACGME Board of Directors and is a member of the Board’s Executive Committee. He previously co-chaired the ACGME’s Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Evaluation Committee, helping lead the development of the CLER Program, several CLER National Reports of Findings, and the CLER Pathways to Excellence 2.0. He is also a 2020 recipient of the ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award.
ACGME: Why did you decide to volunteer with the ACGME? Do you feel it’s important or rewarding and why?
Dr. Co: I was encouraged to volunteer with the ACGME by a colleague who felt I had something to contribute. I submitted my information without high expectations. One-and-a-half to two years later I was a volunteer! I have found the experience to be extremely rewarding, for several reasons, including the inspiration and friendships I’ve gained, as well as the impact that the ACGME has on residents and fellows, programs, and population health.
ACGME: Can you share a little bit about your background, personally, and anything else you’d like to share about who you are?
Co: I was born in the Bronx, New York and spent most of my childhood in the New York metropolitan area, and then Upstate New York. I “knew” at an early age I wanted to be a pediatrician, and envisioned myself being a community pediatrician, which I was for part of my career. Starting in college and through medical school, residency, and fellowship, I was fortunate to have excellent teachers, role models, and mentors who broadened my thinking on ways I could have a fulfilling career in medicine, which led to recognizing and pursuing my passions in several areas, including medical education. The support of my family has been essential for me to pursue these passions, including my time volunteering with the ACGME.
ACGME: What’s the most challenging/rewarding part of volunteering?
Co: The time away from family is the most challenging aspect of volunteering. I have a very understanding wife and children!
The most rewarding part has been learning from peers and ACGME staff members, which has broadened my thinking on issues and the way I approach my work.
ACGME: Is there a memorable story from your volunteer work that you would like to share?
Co: As a member of the Board, I have had the opportunity to participate on several Board subcommittees. The Awards Committee has provided so many memories of the joy that awardees express when they receive their awards. It has been heartwarming to see such selfless people receive the recognition they so richly deserve.
ACGME: What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering?
Co: Seriously consider doing it if graduate medical education [GME] is your thing. The road to becoming a volunteer is not always a straight one, so be persistent and patient if your first attempt isn’t successful. There is time!
ACGME: What motivates you to continue volunteering?
Co: The people I work with and the impact we can have by working together towards a common goal.
ACGME: How has your perspective on GME changed since you started volunteering with the ACGME?
Co: The system of GME in the US is impressive and complicated. Its product are the people that have and will take care of us and, increasingly, people across the world. We should strive to continually improve the outcomes of GME, both for learners and for society overall. The ACGME is a great place to do this work and to learn with others in the GME and medical education communities toward achieving this goal.
Learn more about the current members of the ACGME Board of Directors.