Graduate Medical Education Webinars

Wisdom, Challenges, and Strategies for Thriving in GME Leadership

Stepping into leadership in graduate medical education (GME) can feel like navigating uncharted territory. While established programs like the National Institute for Program Director Development (NIPPD) provide invaluable training, not all current or prospective leaders have the ability to participate. Additionally, ongoing mentorship and real-world insights from experienced leaders remain essential beyond formal training.

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) will host a series of webinars on GME leadership. "STFM GME Leadership Panel Series: Stages of GME Leadership – From Idealism to Sustainability" will fill a critical gap by providing accessible, real-time conversations with seasoned GME leaders who have built meaningful and sustainable careers. Each session will focus on a key leadership challenge, offering practical strategies, candid reflections, and an interactive question-and-answer session to help current and aspiring leaders thrive.

Moderated by academic family physicians who are certified physician coaches, these sessions benefit from facilitators with firsthand experience coaching leaders in academics. Their background enables them to create a unique space for mentorship, shared wisdom, and support, ensuring that every attendee—whether tuning in live or watching later—gains relevant and actionable insights.

Format of Webinar Series

Live Virtual Webinars (Thematic Sessions – 60 Minutes Each)

Each session will be a 60-minute interactive discussion, featuring a moderated panel of seasoned academic family medicine leaders with longer-than-average careers in their roles. Moderators will be academic family physicians who are certified physician coaches, ensuring both structured discussion and deep reflection.

Each session will include:

45-minute moderated panel discussion on key leadership challenges related to the theme
15-minute interactive Q&A where attendees can seek tailored advice
Recorded sessions for on-demand access

Webinar Series Schedule: Register for Future Webinars or Watch Recordings of Past Webinars

Information for each of the scheduled webinars—such as webinar title, date, time, topics covered, objectives, panelists, and coaches—are listed in the tabs below. Register for future webinars or watch recordings of past webinars by navigating through the tabs.

Date and time: Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1 pm eastern time

This session explores how experienced GME leaders stay grounded in long-term goals while constantly navigating the chaos of urgent demands. Panelists will reflect on how they make space for strategy while managing the fires, frustrations, and fatigue that come with the role. We’ll discuss what’s helped them persist—and what has helped them grow.

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

Analyze practical approaches for aligning immediate demands with broader leadership goals
Reflect on how personal leadership values and style influence one’s ability to manage competing priorities

Coach: Tonya L. Caylor, MD, PCC

Presenters: Dave Evans, MD; Linda Montgomery, MD, MA; James Schindler, MD, MPH

Topics:

Managing crises without losing sight of long-term goals
Leadership tactics for sustaining progress despite constant demands

Date and time: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 1 pm eastern time

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

Evaluate strategies for exercising influence and advancing goals in environments with limited formal authority
Reflect on how personal leadership values guide decision-making in politically complex situations

Coach: Deborah S. Clements, MD

Presenters: Timothy Graham, MD, MHPE; Linda Montgomery, MD, MA; Alan Douglass, MD

Working with administration when values/mission seem misaligned
Effective communication and influence strategies when you don’t have full authority

Date and time: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1 pm eastern time

Leadership in GME can be deeply fulfilling—and deeply draining. In this candid conversation, panelists will reflect on what has kept them going, what almost made them quit, and what they’ve learned about creating a career worth staying for. We’ll explore how to reconnect with meaning, build leadership lifelines, and lead without losing yourself.

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

Identify practices and perspectives that support sustained motivation and personal well-being in leadership
Evaluate shared strategies and adapt them to strengthen personal leadership longevity

Coach: Marianna Kong, MD

Presenters: Tricia Elliott, MD; Robert Gobbo, MD; Randolph Pearson, MD

What keeps leaders engaged and thriving long-term?
How to navigate bad days, motivation slumps, and leadership fatigue

Date and time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 1 pm eastern time

Managing faculty, staff, and residents is a core part of GME leadership—and one of the hardest. From difficult conversations to navigating team dynamics, this panel will offer real-life stories and strategies for leading people in complex, often emotional environments. We’ll also explore how to grow your own capacity to lead relationally—without losing your edge or your energy.

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

Analyze real-world approaches to navigating interpersonal challenges and giving effective feedback in GME contexts
Explore ways to grow relational leadership capacity while maintaining clarity, energy, and professional integrity

Coach: Tonya L. Caylor, MD, PCC

Presenters: Randolph Pearson, MD; Deborah S. Clements, MD; Lou Edje, MD, MHPE

Handling turnover and difficult feedback with peers
Finding safe outlets for peer support and mentorship

Date and time: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 1 pm eastern time

In a field where metrics are everywhere, how do you define success for yourself—and know when you’ve done enough? This session invites personal reflection on career purpose, measuring impact, and letting go of maladaptive perfection. Panelists will share how they’ve evolved their definitions of success and how they stay aligned with their values as leaders and human beings.

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

Reflect on how personal values and career stage influence definitions of success in GME leadership
Develop individualized strategies to evaluate impact and sustain meaningful leadership over time

Coach: Santina Wheat, MD

Presenters: James Schindler, MD, MPH; Olivia Rae Wright, MD; Tricia Elliot, MD