DO Becomes Chair-Elect of the ACGME Board of Directors
October 15, 2019
We are pleased to congratulate Karen J. Nichols, DO, former president of the AOA and vice chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) board, for being named chair-elect of the ACGME.
“I have had the honor of serving on the ACGME board for five years and have clearly seen the laser-focus of the entire organization on our mission – ‘…to improve health care and population health by assessing and advancing the quality of resident physicians’ education through accreditation,'” said Dr. Nichols.
Dr. Nichols has a long, decorated history in osteopathic medicine. She served as the first woman president of the AOA, president of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association and president of the American College of Osteopathic Internists.
From 2002-2018, Dr. Nichols was dean of Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, she was assistant dean, post-doctoral education and division director, internal medicine, at the Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. A frequent national speaker on leadership, end-of-life care and osteopathic medicine, Dr. Nichols has also received seven honorary degrees and top awards from the AOA and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
She currently holds several positions at the ACGME. In addition to her newly appointed post, she is a member of the executive committee, chair of the governance committee, and a member of the standing committees for education, policy and monitoring.
“The ACGME has worked to transition to an accreditation model that encourages excellence and innovation. My vision is to work with our fine ACGME board, staff and volunteers to see that the ACGME continues to move forward while being thoughtful and current.”
All of us at the NBOME recognize Dr. Nichols’ accomplishments, and we sincerely wish her the best of luck in her new role with the ACGME.
Read more about Dr. Nichols’ role as chair-elect of the ACGME.