NEWS
CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR ACCME PINNACLE AWARDS
Recognizing Outstanding Contributions in Accredited Continuing Medical Education
As part of our ongoing commitment to honor excellence and elevate the accredited continuing medical education (CME) community, ACCME is proud to announce the launch of our inaugural ACCME Pinnacle Awards program. These awards celebrate the remarkable individuals and organizations shaping the future of accredited CME in healthcare.
Nominations are now open for the following award categories:
- CME Administrator of the Year – Recognizing outstanding leadership and operational excellence in managing the accredited CME enterprise, ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of accredited CME programs.
- CME Impact of the Year – Honoring an accredited CME program or initiative that demonstrates measurable impact on clinician performance, healthcare practice, or patient outcomes.
- CME Innovator of the Year – Celebrating creative educational design, innovative use of technology, or pioneering learner engagement strategies that advance the quality and reach of accredited CME activities.
- CME Mentor of the Year – Recognizing a CME professional at an accredited provider who has meaningfully guided, supported, and inspired the growth and development of colleagues in the field.
Awards include:
- Complimentary registration for ACCME’s Learn to Thrive 2026 conference
- Travel support to attend the conference and the award ceremony
- Public recognition via ACCME newsletter and communications
Key dates:
- October 1, 2025: Application Deadline
- Week of December 8, 2025: Award recipients and their nominators are informed
- May 6-8, 2026: Awards are presented at ACCME’s Learn to Thrive Meeting in Chicago
Nominations are welcome from all members of the accredited CME community, including self-nominations. Please note that a candidate may be nominated by more than one person, either by including the names and contact information for additional nominators on the application form or by having others submit their own nomination.
Please submit your entry using our online application form. If you have challenges with this form, please contact dbrucki@accme.org.
Let’s honor the people and programs who make our system thrive!
ACCME’s NEW VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS COMING SOON: MIDDAY WITH MCMAHON
Join ACCME President and CEO Graham McMahon, MD, MMSc, for a Lunchtime Q&A at our new Midday with McMahon virtual town hall designed to support the CE provider community. Graham will share key updates and strategic insights, facilitate space for you to engage with CE leadership from our accredited providers, and collect suggestions directly from you to inform future engagement and resource development. Invitations have been sent separately to primary contacts at ACCME-accredited and state-accredited providers. We encourage contacts to register and share the invitation with their teams. Make your voices heard and help navigate the future of CE!
CELEBRATING OUR INNOVATION PARTNERS
We’re proud to recognize the organizations that are partnering with ACCME to advance our shared mission of reducing administrative burdens and supporting meaningful, lifelong learning for physicians. As Innovation Partners, these providers are leading efforts to simplify learner data reporting, enhance the learner experience, and promote the use of CME Passport.
Each Innovation Partner brings a unique perspective and commitment to advancing high-quality, learner-centered education. In this issue, we’re spotlighting the following Innovation Partners:
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the US. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Advocate Health serves 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center: Delivers accredited, evidence-based education to advance interprofessional learning, clinical competence, and patient care through live, online, and quality improvement activities.
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry: “As an Innovation Partner, AAAP will collaborate with ACCME and peers to shape the future of CME. Together, we’ll improve data sharing, streamline reporting, and enhance support for addiction psychiatry learners through shared leadership and innovation.”
American College of Cardiology: “ACC hopes that our participation streamlines CME credit management with a secure, centralized system. Assisting physicians to easily track, store, and share CME credits with automatic reporting to licensing boards and certifying bodies reduces manual work and simplifies licensure and certification.”
American College of Physicians: “The ACP’s participation as an Innovation Partner will benefit our physician learners’ need to meet licensure requirements by extending the assistance we provide through our Online Learning Center State Requirement filter through to reporting those credits directly to their licensure boards.”
Learn more about the Innovation Partner Program and see the complete list of participating organizations at www.accme.org/innovation-partners.
EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
LEARN TO THRIVE 2026 CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW OPEN
Do you have an idea for a presentation for Learn to Thrive 2026? We invite you to participate in our Call for Proposals for Inspire & Teach! Sessions and CME Effectiveness & Best Practices: Engaging in CME Research Projects at Learn to Thrive 2026, ACCME’s annual in-person meeting, taking place on May 6–8, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Proposals can be submitted online between Friday, August 22, and Friday, October 3, 2025, to facilitate a session, share your research, or lead a new working group. You are welcome to submit multiple proposals for any singular option or across various options. Review our Call for Proposals Information Sheet for details and guidelines on submission.
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM CT on Friday, October 3, 2025.
New! ACCME Research Scholarship Awards
The ACCME is pleased to offer up to 10 Research Scholarship Awards for early-career and young investigators, as well as first-time submitters (one award per submitted and accepted research project). Each award provides a Learn to Thrive registration fee waiver, and recipients will be recognized at the 2026 meeting. Individuals can indicate their interest in being considered by selecting the ‘Research Scholarship Award’ field in the submission form.
NEARLY 200 ATTEND 2025 ACCREDITATION WORKSHOP
The ACCME Accreditation Workshop concluded this week, bringing together more than 190 continuing education (CE) professionals to enhance their understanding of the ACCME’s requirements and expectations for accreditation. Half of the attendees have fewer than two years of experience in CE, and 86 took part in the Newcomers’ Preconference. This strong turnout reflects the continued growth of the CE community and the vital role accreditation plays in advancing high-quality education for healthcare professionals.
We extend gratitude to our outstanding volunteer faculty, staff, and participants from the CE community! Mark your calendars for our next ACCME Accreditation Workshop, which will take place August 25-26, 2026, and a preconference session on August 24, at the Westin Chicago River North.
GET READY: FALL 2025 ACCME CERTIFICATE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15!
Registration for ACCME’s Certificate Program Fall 2025 cohort will officially open next month, on Monday, September 15. If you’re a continuing education (CE) professional looking to deepen your expertise and drive operational excellence, this is your chance to join a dynamic learning experience designed specifically to support your growth, and that of your organization.
“It’s evident that a great deal of thought and effort went into developing the content and structuring the curriculum… The courses are not only reinforcing my understanding of compliance requirements but also offering an easy-to-digest introduction to new perspectives.” –Inaugural Cohort Participant
The two certificate programs being offered are:
- Certificate in Data Management for Accredited CE: Strengthen your ability to use the Program and Activity Reporting system (PARS), enhance data quality, and streamline reporting processes.
- Certificate in Implementing the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE: Gain practical tools and strategies to protect learners, maintain independence, and ensure alignment with accreditation expectations.
Each program features 15 hours of self-paced learning on ACCME Academy, plus two support webinars and a remote-proctored final assessment, all crafted to deliver real-world skills you can apply immediately. Upon completion, you’ll earn an official ACCME certificate, validating your competence and supporting your career advancement.
Key Dates to Remember:
- Registration Opens: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Registration Closes: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Program Start Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a vibrant community of CE professionals. Nearly 200 joined our previous cohort, with many choosing to enroll in both programs.
For complete program details and updates, visit the ACCME Certificate Program website.
If you have questions, our education team is here to help. Reach out to us at education@accme.org.
PODCASTS
ACCME CEO FEATURED ON CHIEF INFLUENCER PODCAST
We’re thrilled to share that our President and CEO, Graham McMahon, MD, MMSc, was recently a featured guest on the Chief Influencer podcast.
In a candid conversation, Graham discusses his unique approach to leadership, grounded in humility, transparency, and integrity. He shares powerful insights on everything from building trust to driving system-wide change through collaboration. One of the core ideas he explores is the importance of balancing the truths you hold dear with the willingness to sacrifice some autonomy for the greater good.
It’s a masterclass in modern leadership, offering a glimpse into the philosophy that guides our work.
Key Takeaways:
- The Currency of Influence is Trust: Graham explains how trust is painstakingly earned but easily lost, and why it’s the essential foundation for leading any significant change.
- Collaboration Over Control: Learn how sacrificing some control and collaborating with others can lead to greater innovation and meet the real needs of the community.
- The Joy of Making a Difference: Graham shares that the joy of seeing someone else benefit from your help is the core reason he chose a path in education and leadership.
Listen to the full episode here.
