Welcome to ACC’s Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educators Member Section!

Benjamin H. Freed, MD, FACC

Benjamin H. Freed, MD, FACC
Chair
@docbfreed

The PDGME Section members include physicians, fellowship trainees, program administrators, and the multiple cardiovascular team members, all of whom have a common goal: Excitement and Collaboration around advancing the field of education and training of the Fellows in Training (FITs) across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease. The Section seeks to facilitate the training of the future cardiovascular physician workforce and to serve as a resource for salient cardiovascular education and training issues.

The ACC PDGME Section members and Leadership Council will work within the College to advance cardiovascular science and practice through research and education, establish training criteria and guidelines and influence health care policy.

Join the Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educators Section — Today!

The Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educators Member Section is only able to accomplish its mission through support from members. Members can join online by clicking here or by contacting ACC Member Care at (800) 253-4636, ext. 5603; or direct dial (202) 375-6000.

Already a member of the Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educators Section? Click here to unlock the member exclusive section experience.

As our membership grows, so does the Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educators Member Section's opportunities to impact College policies and provide additional member benefits.

Section Announcements

Section News

Education

Impact of Establishing a Cardiology Fellowship at a Rural Academic Medical Center

August 4, 2026

Education

When obtaining cardiovascular care in the U.S., patients in rural communities face longer travel distances, fewer specialists and greater barriers to timely diagnostic and therapeutic care. In a recent JACC: Advances article, Apurva Popat, MD, et al., discuss the rationale, development and early institutional impact of establishing a cardiovascular disease fellowship within a rural health system, as well as how graduate medical education may serve as a strategy to preserve specialty care access in underserved communities. Read more.

Announcements

Encourage Your Trainees to Apply For the ACC/ABC Merck Fellowship Award

August 3, 2026

Announcements

Applications are now open for the ACC/Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) Merck Research Fellowship Awards, which award three fellowships $100,000 each for a year of full-time research in adult cardiology. Eligible applicants must currently be participating in a Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. Applications are due by Monday, Sept. 14 – encourage your trainees to apply today!

Event

Help Your Trainees Build Quality Improvement Skills With ACC Quality Summit

July 21, 2026

Upcoming Event

Support your trainees’ professional growth by encouraging them to attend ACC Quality Summit 2026, taking place Sept. 16-18 in Orlando, FL. The Summit offers hands-on learning, foundational quality improvement education and opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. Cardiology trainees will leave with practical tools they can bring back to their program to improve care processes and outcomes. Encourage your team to register today.

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Resources