This interview is one in a series of interviews with the 2026 recipients of the ACGME Awards. These awardees join an outstanding group of previous honorees whose work and contributions to graduate medical education (GME) represent the best in the field. They will be honored at the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, taking place February 19-21, 2026, in San Diego, California.
2026 Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Awardee Stephanie Chairs, MBA, C-TAGME is the director of medical education at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, in Baltimore, Maryland.
ACGME: How did you become involved in academic medicine?
Ms. Chairs: A professional mentor of mine knew of the surgery program administrator role opening at Sinai Hospital and suggested I apply for the job – I knew nothing about the world of GME and chose to immerse myself and learn as much as possible and loved all six years in my role. I have now had the opportunity to grow in the world of GME and medical education within my organization as director of medical education, overseeing the accreditation of seven ACGME-accredited residency programs!
ACGME: What does this award mean to you?
Chairs: This award is a great honor that reflects my commitment to supporting GME through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. It also reflects the deep relationships I’ve built with our residents and program director. My greatest joy is helping each resident succeed—providing the tools, guidance, and support they need both professionally and personally throughout their training. Being recognized for something I truly love doing is an incredible honor and I am deeply grateful to be recognized among such dedicated professionals.
ACGME: What is the most rewarding part of being a coordinator?
Chairs: The most rewarding part of being a program coordinator is seeing how much the residents grow and evolve as physicians throughout their training, and celebrating all of their personal and professional milestones along the way – engagements, marriages, growing their families, fellowship matches, podium presentations, research grants, etc. Celebrating their wins along the way is super important to me!
ACGME: What is the most challenging part of being a coordinator?
Chairs: Staying up to date on the complex administrative requirements of an ACGME-accredited program while keeping in mind the human side of the role of a resident is a unique challenge – there’s a sweet spot to maintain and sometimes you have to put more focus on one side than the other, depending or the week or season of the year you’re in!
ACGME: What advice do you have for brand-new coordinators who are just starting their careers?
Chairs: Strive to evolve. Do not become complacent or stagnant. Reflect on how you ran the previous academic year, what worked? What process could have been improved? There are always areas for growth or change that can lead to positive outcomes for you, professionally, and for the residents and faculty members in your program.
Learn more about the ACGME’s Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award here.