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Black History Month: Strengthening Representation and Rebuilding Trust
As we honor Black History Month, we are reminded that Graduate Medical Education (GME) plays a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare, not only through clinical training, but through its impact on access, equity, and community trust. At Germane Solutions, we believe the strength of our healthcare system depends on building physician workforces that are aligned with the needs, experiences, and priorities of the communities they serve. Advancing Community-Focused Work

Embrace Employee Resource Group
2 days ago2 min read


Meaning in Medicine: Germane's Difference
As we approach the 2026 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, we reflect on what it truly means to find meaning in medicine and in the work that supports it. In today’s complex healthcare environment, Graduate Medical Education is more than a training model; it’s a lifeline for the future of care and the communities that depend on it. At Germane Solutions, we believe that meaning is found not only in clinical excellence but in the systems and strategies that make sustainable

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
3 days ago2 min read


Strengthening Your Financial Strategy Through Smarter Resident Scheduling
Resident scheduling is often considered a day-to-day operational task, but in Graduate Medical Education (GME), it plays a critical financial role. Beyond its importance for accreditation and program management, scheduling directly impacts CMS reimbursement through Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. At Germane Solutions, our Finance and Operations teams regularly support institutions in aligning scheduling practices with

Amber Lebowski, MHA
Feb 102 min read


Navigating the New H-1B Visa Requirements: Key Considerations for GME Leaders
On September 21, 2025, a new presidential proclamation went into effect requiring a $100,000 fee for many new H-1B visa petitions filed on behalf of individuals outside the United States. Although the policy was introduced in response to concerns about misuse of the H-1B program in the tech and outsourcing sectors, it’s broad application may have far-reaching implications for the U.S. healthcare workforce, particularly Graduate Medical Education programs that rely on H-1B spo

Courtney Matteson
Feb 22 min read


Transforming Rural Healthcare: What GME Leaders Need to Know About the RHT Program
In an effort to improve healthcare access and equity, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, authorized under Public Law 119-21, Section 71401 (also known as the One Big Beautiful Act). With $50 billion in funding allocated over five years (2026–2030), the RHT Program marks a historic investment in strengthening rural healthcare delivery and infrastructure. Program Overview Each fiscal year, $10 billi

Margot Flowers
Jan 192 min read


Germane Solutions Announces Strategic Partnership with Chiefly: Advance GME Operations Through Automated Scheduling
Germane Solutions is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Chiefly , an innovative automated scheduling platform designed to simplify and modernize complex clinical training environments. Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs face increasing operational pressures, ranging from workforce constraints and accreditation requirements to the growing need for transparency, equity, and efficiency in resident and physician scheduling. This partnership brings together

Kyle Knepper
Jan 161 min read


CMS Announces New GME Cap Increases Under Sections 126 and 4122
On December 18, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest round of GME cap increase awardees under two key initiatives (Section 126 and Section 4122) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (HR 133). These awards represent important progress in expanding Medicare-supported residency training opportunities in alignment with national workforce needs. Section 126 Cap Increase: Round 4 Results Section 126 makes 1,000 additional Medicare-funded

Margot Flowers
Jan 122 min read


Welcoming 2026: A Message of Gratitude and Growth from Our CEO
As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our clients, partners, and colleagues who continue to make our work meaningful and impactful. At Germane Solutions, we remain committed to our mission of supporting healthcare institutions in building strong, sustainable GME programs that meet the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. 2025 was a year marked by progress, collaboration, and momentum across the GME space

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
Jan 62 min read


Supporting Systems-Based Practice in GME: ACGME Launches Patient Safety Toolkit
The ACGME recently launched a Patient Safety Toolkit, now available to all users with an ADS account. This new resource is designed to help GME leaders strengthen patient safety within clinical learning environments through structured self-assessment, systems thinking, and practical improvement strategies. The Toolkit provides activities and tools to help programs identify opportunities for improvement and address systems-based challenges through a GME-focused lens. It enco

Claire Hauck
Dec 15, 20252 min read


NADIO 2025: Supporting the Leaders Who Shape the Future of GME
The Germane Solutions team is thrilled to attend the NADIO 2025 Annual Meeting in St. Louis from December 7-9. This conference brings together the nation’s Graduate Medical Education leaders for timely conversations, shared challenges, and forward-looking collaboration. At Germane Solutions, our mission is to equip GME leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies they need to build strong, mission-aligned programs. As a trusted partner to institutions across the country

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
Dec 1, 20251 min read


Building a Culture of Safety: Practical Strategies for Integrating QI into GME
At Germane Solutions, we believe the pursuit of enhanced patient safety and health care quality is intrinsically linked to the strength of our training environments. For GME programs, integrating comprehensive Patient Safety (PS) and Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives serve two critical purposes: it directly addresses system-level challenges to improve patient outcomes and the overall culture of safety, while simultaneously cultivating resident leadership. When residents ar

Courtney Matteson
Nov 17, 20252 min read


Leading with Intention: A Thoughtful Approach to AI in GME
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the healthcare conversation, not only in diagnostics and clinical decision-making, but also in how we train our future physicians. As GME leaders consider how AI might shape their programs, a recent article from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education offers a timely and structured way to begin that exploration: Could I, Would I, Should I? This framework encourages GME stakeholders to approach AI adoption with intention

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
Nov 10, 20252 min read


ACP 2025: Strengthening Internal Medicine Through Partnership and Innovation
The Germane Solutions team is thrilled to attend ACP 2025: Leading Internal Medicine, Improving Lives, from November 7-9. As passionate supporters of Internal Medicine education and workforce development, we are proud to join the conversation alongside the nation’s leading physicians, educators, and healthcare innovators. At Germane Solutions, our mission is to empower GME leaders with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to advance high-quality, mission-aligned medic

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
Nov 6, 20251 min read


Strategic Recruitment in GME: Aligning Physician Training with Community Health Needs
With residency recruitment in full swing, now is a great time for Graduate Medical Education programs to consider how to build a physician workforce that is prepared to address the varied needs of the populations they serve. Germane Solutions’ Unity and Embrace Employee Resource Groups have outlined frameworks for navigating recruitment challenges and implementing evidence-based practices to achieve meaningful, mission-aligned outcomes: Aligning Your Workforce with Communit

Germane Solutions
Oct 30, 20253 min read


Modernizing Recruitment Strategies: Connecting with Today’s Digital-First Residency Candidates
Does your program’s digital footprint accurately reflect the exceptional training environment you’ve built? It’s no secret that today’s applicants are digital natives. Their first impression and deepest research efforts take place online, long before an interview is conducted. To attract competitive, mission-aligned applications, a well-rounded digital presence is fundamental to a successful recruitment strategy. The Online Impression Your Program Makes Today's residency ca

Hunter Rich
Oct 14, 20252 min read


National Hispanic Heritage Month: Building a Representative Physician Workforce Through GME
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino American...

Embrace Employee Resource Group
Oct 3, 20254 min read


Protecting Your Rural Designation Status: Advocating for Essential Funding
At Germane Solutions, we recognize the important role your hospital plays in expanding access to care, training physicians, and supporting community health. We also understand the financial constraints you face in sustaining these efforts. Your current Rural Designation provides resources that make it possible to serve patients effectively while advancing Graduate Medical Education.

Susan Hearn-Stiffler
Sep 22, 20252 min read


Beyond Awareness: Actionable Strategies for Suicide Prevention in GME
National Suicide Prevention Month this September serves as a critical reminder of a persistent crisis in medicine: the disproportionately...

Courtney Matteson
Sep 17, 20253 min read


NRMP Registration Opens Soon: How Strategic Branding Shapes the Future of Your Program
NRMP registration for the 2026 Main Residency Match opens on September 15, 2025. As programs begin preparing for another recruitment season, it's essential to go beyond checklists and deadlines and ask a deeper question: Is your program's brand helping you attract the right residents —the ones who will stay, grow, and make a lasting difference in your community? Branding plays a powerful role in whether your program not only attracts the most competitive applicants, but al

Courtney Matteson
Sep 8, 20253 min read


The ACGME Invites Stakeholder Feedback on Institutional Requirements Revisions
The ACGME is moving forward with a major revision of its Institutional Requirements (IR) and is actively seeking input from the GME...

Claire Hauck
Sep 2, 20251 min read
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