Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), attended the 2025 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Annual Educational Conference on Feb. 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn. As the world’s largest Graduate Medical Education (GME) conference, this event is a special opportunity for attendees to engage in educational sessions and strengthen professional connections in the field of academic medicine.   

This year’s conference theme, “Meaning in Medicine,” highlighted the importance of aligning personal and professional values, promoting well-being, and fostering collaboration within the healthcare community. 

In support of this theme, Dr. Bundy presented “Physician Health Programs and GME: A Candid Conversation,” featuring panelists Courtney Barrows McKeown, MD, a surgeon and physician in recovery, and Cindy Hamra, JD, MA, Associate Dean of the University of Washington GME. This inspiring session gave attendees a rare opportunity to hear the personal stories of physicians who have lived experience of addiction and recovery. It also illuminated best practices, opportunities for improvement, and advocacy targets that can help GME and PHP programs deliver on a promise of hope and healing while mitigating the risk of adverse professional consequences that can discourage residents from seeking and accepting help when needed. 

During the “Review of the 2024 ACGME Well-Being Symposium: Charting New Directions for GME” session, ACGME shared key outcomes from the symposium, which Dr. Bundy attended last November. One key outcome was the formation of several Well-Being Affinity Groups that will convene throughout the next year to identify resources to support resident well-being. Dr. Bundy will lead the Access the Mental Health Care Affinity Group and attend a summit of Affinity Group Leaders at ACGME’s office in Chicago in fall 2025. 

Dr. Bundy also attended resident well-being sessions that raised awareness about PHPs as a critical resource for GME and program directors in supporting residents in crisis. 

This conference was a valuable opportunity for WPHP to connect with colleagues representing the University of Washington GME, Seattle Children’s GME, and Valley Medical Center GME. Alongside Linda Bresnahan, MS, FSPHP Executive Director, Dr. Bundy met Dr. Debra Weinstein, the new ACGME President and CEO. They also met with Dr. Humayun Chaudhry, MD, CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards, and several members of the ACGME Leadership Team and Board of Directors. 

The conference insights and connections with ACGME Wellness Leaders will further enhance WPHP’s work supporting medical professionals across Washington. 

Photo (from left to right): Cindy Hamra, JD, MA, Associate Dean of the University of Washington GME; Courtney Barrows McKeown, MD; and Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FASAM.