Learn More About ACGME Accreditation

We know you may have questions about the recent changes in accreditation. Below are answers to common questions that can help you understand what’s changing and how it impacts—or doesn’t impact—the institution, your role or your training.

Earlier this year, the ACGME decided to withdraw accreditation of our Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship programs, effective June 30, 2020, and change the accreditation status of the Sponsoring Institution (USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center) to Probationary Accreditation, effective immediately. It’s important to note all other training programs are still ACGME-accredited.

We are already pursuing a path consistent with ACGME policy to enable us to regain Continued Accreditation for the Sponsoring Institution and apply for a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program. In September, we took an important step along this path as the ACGME conducted a Sponsoring Institution Site Visit to review our compliance with all institutional requirements. We expect a decision on the Sponsoring Institution’s accreditation status from the ACGME Review Committee in mid-December. We remain committed to continually improving our programs and hope to have a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship Program in early 2020, before the withdrawal effective date of June 30, 2020 for the current program.

We will update this site frequently as we receive additional questions.

Questions:

Earlier this year, the ACGME decided to withdraw accreditation of our Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship programs, effective June 30, 2020. Importantly, all other training programs are still ACGME-accredited. The ACGME changed the accreditation status of the Sponsoring Institution (USC/Los Angeles General Medical Center) to Probationary Accreditation, effective immediately. The ACGME’s decision was related to concerns regarding resident safety and wellness processes within our graduate medical education program.

As soon as we were notified of the ACGME’s decision, we took the necessary steps to contact all advancing and incoming Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) fellows, per ACGME policy. The institution has a strong graduate medical education program, with numerous resources aimed at promoting and fostering wellness, including a new policy and GMEC sub-committee focused on safety, fairness and equity. All of our existing and new initiatives are directed toward providing a safe and nurturing environment for residents, fellows, faculty and staff. This is a top priority.

All other graduate medical education programs remain ACGME-accredited.

No, there is no direct impact on current medical students.

Probationary Accreditation for the institution means the institution remains accredited with the following limitations: no new programs can be added while on Probationary Accreditation; written notification of our Probationary status must be provided to all current residents and invited applicants for residency positions for the next academic year; and the institution was required to undergo an ACGME site visit this year, which took place on September 24-25. If all goes well, the institution could be off probation at the end of 2019. This change in Sponsoring Institution status would permit us to have a newly accredited Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program in place in early 2020.

We are already pursuing a path consistent with ACGME policy and procedures that will enable us to regain Continued Accreditation for the Sponsoring Institution, and to accredit a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program before the withdrawal effective date for the current Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program (June 30, 2020).

The Sponsoring Institution and internal medicine residency program remain ACGME-accredited. We are pursuing a path consistent with ACGME policy that will enable us to regain Continued Accreditation for the Sponsoring Institution and apply for a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program. Our hope is to have established a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) fellowship program in early 2020, before the withdrawal effective date of June 30, 2020 for the current program.

We have built and invested in innovative ways to support our students’ and residents’ well-being and we know many different elements of student or resident life can cause physical or emotional stress. Highlights of current programming are included below.

More information about wellness resources can be found here. If you would like more information about any of these programs or additional support, please contact Dr. Tobi Fishel, Director of Residency Wellness, at 323-409-6931. 

If you have additional questions or concerns about these changes or the steps we are taking to regain Continued Accreditation for the Sponsoring Institution and apply for a new Cardiovascular Disease (Medicine) Fellowship program, please use the form below.

We welcome your comments and thoughts in the submission box below.

Fill out my online form.