Courtney Strong, MA, LMHC, SUDP, Clinical Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), attended the 2026 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Annual Educational Conference on Feb. 19-21 in San Diego, Calif. Nearly 5,000 attendees gathered at the world’s largest graduate medical education (GME) event to engage in educational sessions and strengthen professional connections in the field of academic medicine.

The conference theme, “Meaning in Medicine,” highlighted the importance of sustaining purpose and joy, promoting well-being, and fostering collaboration in the vital work of health care professionals and educators.

In support of this theme, Ms. Strong presented “Helping the Impaired Resident: Addressing Myths of Physician Health Programs (PHPs)” with Byron Joyner, MD, MPA, Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM), and Cindy Hamra, JD, MA, FACHE, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance in the GME Office at UWSOM.

This session explored how impairment may appear in a resident’s behavior, addressed perceived and real barriers to PHP engagement, and identified ways to enhance education and support institutional clarity about addressing concerns regarding learning impairment.

Following the presentation, several attendees remained to ask additional questions about PHPs, learn more about the cooperative relationship between WPHP and University of Washington GME, and identify resources in their respective states if they have concerns about a trainee. One attendee expressed gratitude for WPHP and the Federation of State Physician Health Programs’ (FSPHP) advocacy efforts to establish a PHP in California.

Additionally, colleagues from FSPHP presented “Help is Hiding in Plain Sight: The Role of Physician Health Programs” at the conference. Presenters included Edwin Kim, MD, FAPA, President-Elect of FSPHP and Medical Director of the Pennsylvania Physicians’ Health Program, Linda Bresnahan, Executive Director and CEO of FSPHP, and Lisa Merlo, PhD, MPE, Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Vice Chair of Faculty Development, and Director of Wellness Programs at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

This session introduced the PHP model and findings from the largest PHP study to date, highlighting the wealth of PHP services and resources available to support mental health and the ability to practice among licensed clinicians, residents, and fellows. Results of the survey highlight the confidential nature of program participation, as well as the assistance offered to academic medical centers and GME programs in supporting residents, fellows, and faculty members with potentially impairing conditions.

Ms. Strong attended an engaging session about the vital roles of psychological safety, teaming, and learning from failure in advancing individual and organizational improvement within clinical education by Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School. She also attended a lecture titled “The Courage to Care – The Heart of Medical Education” by Timothy Brigham, MDiv, MS, PhD, former Chief Education Officer and Chief of Staff of ACGME. This session honored the quiet heroes of GME and the lifetime impact they have on those they educate and mentor.

WPHP is grateful for the opportunity to share our work and connect with colleagues at the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference. We look forward to applying these new insights toward advancing the health and well-being of Washington’s medical community.

Featured photo (from left to right): Linda Bresnahan; Edwin Kim, MD, FAPA; Courtney Strong, MA, LMHC, SUDP; Robin McCown, Executive Director of the Georgia Professional Health Program.

Photo (from left to right): Byron Joyner, MD, MPA; Courtney Strong, MA, LMHC, SUDP; Cindy Hamra, JD, MA, FACHE.