Alice Goepfert, M.D., professor in OB/Gyn and Maternal-Fetal Medicine and associate dean for GME/Designated Institutional Official (DIO), has been named by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a recipient of the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award. The ACGME announced its decision on October 22, 2024 and will honor the two recipients at the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference February 20-22, 2025.
The prestigious award is presented annually to two designated institutional officials (DIO) across the United States who demonstrate excellence in the supervision of graduate medical education programs at their Sponsoring Institution (SI). There are currently 905 SIs accredited by the ACGME and UAB Hospital is the 30th largest SI in the U.S. by number of trainees. There are currently 104 residency and fellowship programs at UAB across four campuses with 1174 residents and fellows. UAB Hospital is among the top 3.4% of SIs by number of programs.
Goepfert has served as a professor in UAB OB/Gyn’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine division since 2011 and served as the Director of Education in the OB/Gyn and Director of the OB/Gyn Residency Program 2009-2017. She has served as the associate dean for GME/DIO since 2017.
“Dr. Goepfert has been a tremendous asset for UAB Hospital and Heersink School of Medicine,” said Craig Hoesley, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education. “As DIO, Dr. Goepfert has significantly contributed to the success of our GME program, particularly in the areas of accreditation and resident and faculty/staff development. I am proud of her strong leadership and strategic vision for our GME programs. This honor could not be presented to a more deserving recipient.”
During her tenure in leadership, she has committed to providing wellness resources for residents and fellows in UAB Hospital’s Graduate Medical Education programs in partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the UA Health Services Foundation. She spearheaded efforts to build the recently unveiled GME Wellness Center in UAB Hospital, a space dedicated to supporting mental and physical wellness among residents and fellows.
As a DIO, she is responsible, in collaboration with UAB’s Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), for oversight and administration of each of UAB Hospital’s 104 ACGME-accredited programs as well as for ensuring compliance with ACGME Institutional, Program and Recognition Requirements. In partnership with the UAB GME Office, she provides support in a variety of ways for our program directors, program coordinators, residents and fellows.
“I am honored and humbled to represent UAB for this national award,” Goepfert said. “I am truly grateful to the group who nominated me including the GME Office faculty and administrative leadership as well as the former House Staff Council President, Dr. Stephanie Rakestraw. GME really is a team effort, and I am proud to work with our amazing GME Office and GMEC to support the best program directors, program coordinators, residents and fellows in the U.S.”
Through her tireless effort and commitment to effective leadership, Goepfert continues to build a culture within the UAB Hospital GME program at the Heersink School of Medicine of teamwork, support, and respect.
Click here to learn more about the ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award.