PURPOSE / SCOPE:
This policy establishes the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (ICOM) framework to support new and existing Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in achieving and maintaining accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and obtaining ACGME Osteopathic Recognition (OR). It outlines mechanisms to foster high-quality GME programs, strengthen clinical training opportunities, and promote osteopathic principles in the region.
DEFINITIONS
- GME: Graduate Medical Education
- ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- OR: Osteopathic Recognition
- MSIGMER: Mountain States Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research
POLICY:
ICOM is dedicated to advancing the continuum of osteopathic medical education to fulfill its mission of training physicians who serve Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and beyond. Recognizing the regional shortage of postgraduate training opportunities, ICOM prioritizes the development of new GME programs and the enhancement of existing programs to meet ACGME accreditation standards and achieve OR. These efforts strengthen clinical clerkships, expand residency opportunities, and ensure the integration of osteopathic principles and practices in postgraduate training.
Primary Goals
- Develop new ACGME-accredited GME programs in the region.
- Provide leadership, academic resources, and financial support to new and existing GME programs to meet accreditation requirements.
- Assist affiliated GME programs in obtaining and maintaining ACGME Osteopathic Recognition.
Secondary goals
- Expand postgraduate training opportunities for ICOM graduates in the region.
- Promote ongoing education in osteopathic principles and practices for residents.
- Address primary care shortages in underserved areas through GME development.
Participants
- Office of Graduate Medical Education (OGME)
- Office of Clinical Affairs (OCA)
- ICOM Administration
- Community partners
Resources
- Mountain States Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (MSIGMER)
- Office of Graduate Medical Education
- ICOM Faculty
- ICOM Finance Department
- ICOM Department of Research
- ICOM Library Services
- Faculty Development Services (Office of Professional Development)
- ICOM Facilities (classrooms, technology, Osteopathic Principles and Practice Lab, Simulation Center, etc.)
Mechanisms to Support GME Programs
ICOM employs the following mechanisms to assist GME programs in meeting ACGME accreditation and OR requirements:
- Mountain States Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (MSIGMER)
- MSIGMER, a 501(c)(3) GME consortium established by ICOM, is an ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institution dedicated to developing high-quality GME programs with OR.
- Led by the ICOM Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, who serves as the ACGME Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and MSIGMER Executive Director, MSIGMER provides strategic oversight and accreditation expertise.
- MSIGMER conducts financial and academic feasibility studies for hospitals and clinics interested in establishing GME programs, offering consultation on accreditation processes and program development.
- MSIGMER secures funding from federal, state, local, and private sources to support GME initiatives and may contract with hospitals/clinics, employ residents, staff, and faculty as needed.
- MSIGMER collaborates with affiliated residency programs to achieve and maintain OR, providing guidance on curriculum development and compliance with ACGME standards.
- ICOM’s Financial and Administrative Support
- ICOM allocates annual funding to support GME program development and accreditation. Funding has been contributed to establish four new residencies in Idaho (two family medicine, one internal medicine, one psychiatry).
- ICOM covers all MSIGMER accreditation fees and provides start-up funds or in-kind services (e.g., personnel, infrastructure) for new GME programs.
- ICOM provides administrative resources, including human resources, financial auditing, library services, technology, and facilities (e.g., classrooms, OPP Lab, Simulation Center), to support MSIGMER and affiliated programs.
- Educational and Faculty Support
- ICOM faculty collaborate with MSIGMER and residency programs to deliver educational content, including lectures (in-person and virtual) and resources like the OMT Video Library, to support resident education and OR requirements.
- The Assistant/Associate Dean of Osteopathic Principles, Practices, and Integration (or designee) serves as a standing member of the MSIGMER Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), ensuring alignment with osteopathic standards.
- Engagement and Collaboration
- ICOM leadership (Dean, Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education) engages with program directors and hospital leadership across the five mission states to support accreditation efforts and foster GME development.
- ICOM organizes residency fairs to connect students with regional GME programs and collaborates with health systems to explore new residency opportunities.
- ICOM representatives participate in institutional and state GMECs to provide governance and accreditation support.
Procedures
As an ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institution, MSIGMER maintains a comprehensive policy and procedure manual, approved by the MSIGMER Graduate Medical Education Committee. This manual governs all MSIGMER activities, ensuring compliance with ACGME standards and OR requirements. MSIGMER’s GMEC oversees the review, approval, and implementation of the policies included in the comprehensive policy manual, coordinating resources and support to achieve the outlined goals.
PRIMARY POLICY OWNER:
Assistant/Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
APPROVAL:
Effective: 8/1/21
Last Reviewed:10/1/25
Review Requirement: 3 Years