Awards
Recognizing notable designated institutional officials, program directors, coordinators, and residents and fellows for their outstanding work and contributions to GME
Latest Awards News
The ACGME annually honors individuals, programs, and organizations through its Awards Program, and awardees are celebrated each year at the Annual Educational Conference. The ACGME currently grants the following awards through this program.
The nomination period for the 2026 ACGME Awards is now closed.
Resident/Fellow Awards
David C. Leach Award
Recognizes innovation and improvement in graduate medical education programs, advanced humanism in medicine, and increased efficiency and emphasis on educational outcomes.
Lewis Blackman Patient Safety Award
Recognizes strategies that lead to measurable improvements in patient safety, demonstrated through innovative solutions and initiatives.
Coordinator Awards
Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award
Recognizes in-depth understanding of the accreditation process, excellent communication skills, and projects to improve graduate medical education programs.
Effective March 2019, the GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award is now the Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award.
GME Institutional Coordinator Excellence Award
Recognizes in-depth knowledge of graduate medical education and institutional review processes.
Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and Program Director Awards
Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award
This award recognizes designated institutional officials who have demonstrated strong leadership and astute resource management and have encouraged innovation and improvement in residency programs and their Sponsoring Institutions.
Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award
This award recognizes program directors who have fostered innovation and improvement in their residency programs and served as exemplary role models for residents.
Joint Award
The ACGME, in partnership with other notable organizations, is proud to honor exceptional work in graduate medical education through joint awards.