Here's the official announcement.
CHICAGO, February 26, 2014 – The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME),
the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic
Medicine (AACOM) have agreed to a single accreditation system for graduate medical education (GME)
programs in the U.S. After months of discussion, the allopathic and osteopathic medical communities
have committed to work together to prepare future generations of physicians with the highest quality
GME, ultimately helping to ensure the quality and safety of health care delivery.
“The commitment to a single accreditation system comes at a watershed moment for medical education in
the U.S.,” said Thomas Nasca, MD, MACP, chief executive officer of the ACGME. “As we move forward
into the Next Accreditation System, this uniform path of preparation for practice ensures that the
evaluation of and accountability for the competency of all resident physicians – MDs and DOs – will be
consistent across all programs.” Nasca added, “A single accreditation system provides the opportunity to
introduce and consistently evaluate new physician competencies that are needed to meet patient needs
and the health care delivery challenges facing the U.S. over the next decade.”
The single accreditation system will allow graduates of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools to
complete their residency and/or fellowship education in ACGME-accredited programs and demonstrate
achievement of common Milestones and competencies. Currently, the ACGME and AOA maintain
separate accreditation systems for allopathic and osteopathic educational programs.
“A single system standardizes the approach to GME accreditation, and ensures that all physicians have
access to the primary and sub-specialty training necessary to serve patients,” said AOA President
Norman E. Vinn, DO. “Importantly, the system recognizes the unique principles and practices of the
osteopathic medical profession and its contributions to the health of all Americans.”
Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH, President of AACOM commented, “Healthcare and medical education in
the U.S. today face many challenges. We feel that this approach to GME accreditation not only
streamlines but strengthens the postdoctoral education process, and will produce physicians who are
able to meet those health care challenges, enhancing the ability for all physicians to learn the unique
characteristics of osteopathic medical practice.”
Under the single accreditation system:
• AOA and AACOM will become ACGME member organizations and will nominate members to the
ACGME Board of Directors. Page 2
• Two new osteopathic Review Committees will be created to evaluate and set standards for the
osteopathic aspects of GME programs seeking osteopathic recognition.
• July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 is an extended transition period for AOA-accredited programs to
apply for and receive ACGME recognition and accreditation.
• Opportunity is created for MD and DO graduates who have met the prerequisite competencies to
access any GME program or transfer from one accredited program to another without being
required to repeat education.
• Efficiencies are realized since there is no need for institutions to sponsor “dually accredited” or
“parallel accredited” allopathic and osteopathic medical residency programs.