The Association for Hospital Medical Education (AHME) declared every third Friday in August the annual GME Professionals Day to recognize program coordinators and GME administrators who help make residency and fellowship training programs successful. This year, GME Professionals Day is celebrated on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
UAB’s training programs have more than 100 professionals across the institution who contribute daily to the school’s mission in graduate medical education.
“Our program coordinators and administrators serve vital roles in supporting our residents and fellows and making our training programs strong,” said Alice Goepfert, M.D., associate dean for Graduate Medical Education. “They are critical to the success of our programs and our program directors.”
“In addition to working in their program areas, program coordinators work together as well as with GME leadership to advance the school as a whole,” said Jennie Craft, MPPM, director of Graduate Medical Education. “It is an honor to work with such an amazing group of individuals. Without their hard work, creativity, and partnership, our GME programs could not be successful.”
In recognition of GME Professionals Day, get to know several staff leaders working in residency and fellowship programs across UAB.
Cassandra Whatley, MSM, C-TAGME
Education Administrator Senior, Montgomery Internal Medicine Residency & Montgomery Psychiatry Residency Program
How long have you been in your program coordinator role?
Five Years
How long have you been at UAB?
14 Years
How did you get into your role as a residency program coordinator?
I started as the Office Associate for Montgomery Internal Medicine. As the Office Associate, I gained a lot of knowledge from the Program Coordinator at that time. She taught me a lot about the program and the duties she performed. When the Program Coordinator position became available, I applied.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
Busy. It’s a lot of staying ahead so I don’t fall behind and staying flexible because if I plan how I want the day to flow, there are always things that come up to alter those plans. It’s also a lot of praying that nothing happens that I can’t handle and laughing to remind myself to keep a good sense of humor and my sanity.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy watching the residents grow from their first day to their last day with us. I love seeing how they progress and being a part of the process while building lifelong relationships with them.
What do you want to say to your fellow GME professionals?
The work is not always easy, but it is rewarding in the end. Michelle Obama once said, “Success isn’t about the money you make but about the difference you make in other people’s lives.” Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving GME.
Elizabeth McAlister, MS, C-TAGME
Education Administrator, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care (GGPC)
How long have you been in your program coordinator role?
12 years. I began as a temp in 2012 with the Internal Medicine Residency Program.
How long have you been at UAB?
17 years. I started as an Administrative Support Specialist in General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, but I ended up being their go-to person for IRB protocols because I enjoyed it.
How did you get into your role as a residency program coordinator?
The short version is that in 2011, I moved to another position within UAB. It was not a good fit, so we agreed on an end date and parted amicably. I could not find another position before that end date, so I signed up with the UAB Temp Services. In January 2012, they offered me a temporary position as a Program Coordinator II with the Internal Medicine Residency Program, which was made permanent a couple of months later. I learned a lot from Tammy Pickens and consider her a mentor and friend. During my time there, I realized this was not “just a job” – I’d finally found my career. In 2016, I started with the Geriatric Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Programs.
Fun aside: notice where I started and where I am now. From General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine to the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care … I grew up!
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I set aside the first 30-60 minutes to check my email (skim newsletters, respond to quick emails, and update my to-do list as needed). Then, I look at my list and pick three things I definitely want to get done that day. That being said, things come up. A situation almost always arises that requires my help in troubleshooting or, at the least, getting the ball rolling on a fix. That’s one of the things my faculty love about me – if I don’t know the answer, I know who does or how to find the one who does. In short, the beginning of my day is about the only thing that’s “typical.” The biggest skill I’ve had to hone is adapting to change (after all, the only constant in life is change).
What do you enjoy about your job?
Y’all. They pay me to go to school! When I first started, I took full advantage of the classes offered through UAB Learning & Development. Then, in 2014, I decided to get a BA in English Literature–for the fun of it. While considering getting another one, I thought I should probably do something more job-related, so I got an MS in Instructional Design & Development in 2021 (think QI for the learning environment).
What I enjoy about working in GME is working with my faculty to provide the best learning experience possible for the fellows, residents, and students who rotate through our services. I love that my faculty members value my input on curriculum and process improvements and support my interests in medical education. I was in the Interprofessional Leadership Program through the Center for Interprofessional Education & Simulation this past year. As a result, I’m a member of the Center and part of a team that created a workshop that will be offered annually through the Center for Teaching & Learning. I love that, though my job is cyclical, there’s enough variety that it’s never boring. I love being able to walk through the hospital and see all the wonderful doctors and faculty who, at one point, were my residents. I also love that I get paid to play with spreadsheets and read through policies to figure out how to do the things we want to do but stay within “the rules.”
What do you want to say to your fellow GME professionals?
If you’re new to the role, give it time. When you don’t know the answer or haven’t been able to find the answer, reach out to other coordinators. We’ve all been there and will help however we can. Lastly, I want you to know that you are an integral part of your program’s leadership team! To all the others, you have my deepest and most sincere appreciation for your help along the way and even now. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this community, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you!
Tammy Pickens
Program Manager, Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency training program
How long have you been in your program coordinator role?
20 years
How long have you been at UAB?
21 years
How did you get into your role as a residency program coordinator?
The first job I accepted out of college was as an office associate to the program coordinator in the UAB Internal Medicine residency program. Since then, I have slowly moved up through the residency program. Fortunately, they let me hang around all these years.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
When people ask what I do for a living, part of what I tell them is that my job stays the same enough for me to feel like I know what I’m doing, but it changes enough to keep me interested. I think that is what I have loved about being a coordinator all these years; nothing ever looks typical. It has allowed me to continue to learn and grow professionally throughout my career.
What do you enjoy about your job?
It is no secret to anyone that my favorite part of my job is recruitment season. Over the years, I have had the awesome opportunity to meet so many new and interesting applicants. I love telling applicants about how wonderful our residency program is, how amazing our program leadership is, and how much our residents enjoy training at UAB.
What do you want to say to your fellow GME professionals?
I read a book called Daring Greatly by Brene Brown several years ago that has helped shape the latter years of my career. The book is based on a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt called The Main in The Arena. The part of the quote I love the most is the man with the most impact is the one “who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” My challenge to each of us is to dare greatly daily; don’t fear failure, strive for excellence, and claim your seat at the table.
Ronda Chandler
Program Manager II, Pediatric Fellowship Programs
How long have you been in your program coordinator role?
I have been in a program coordinator role since July 1995, but I have been in my current role as program manager since February 2020.
How long have you been at UAB?
I have been at UAB for 32 years this summer.
How did you get into your role as a residency program coordinator?
After graduating from UAB with a degree in human resources management, I interviewed for a position in the Pediatric Residency Office. The person who interviewed me was the Residency Program Coordinator, and after she described her job, I knew that was what I wanted to do one day. Three years later, I was promoted to Residency Program Coordinator. 13 years later, I moved from working with residents to fellows.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
I can honestly say that every day looks a bit different. My days are mostly spent responding to emails, problem-solving, training and encouraging other pediatric fellowship program coordinators, and trying to stay on top of ACGME and GME changes. There isn’t a day that I don’t learn something new.
What do you enjoy about your job?
My favorite things about my job are building relationships and checking items off my checklist. I love a good paper calendar and a to-do list to look back and see all I have accomplished. I also love seeing new coordinators feel more confident and comfortable in their leadership roles, welcoming in the new fellows, and sending off the graduates as they start their next adventure.
What do you want to say to your fellow GME professionals?
Take a few moments each week to remember what you love about your job. There is always something to be thankful for. Spend time learning from and sharing with other coordinators and your program directors. Don’t try to do this job alone. You have a community that is here for you. Sometimes, resetting during the tough days takes a good coffee or an office dance party.