GME Policy on Closures and Reductions

I. PURPOSE

New York Medical College (NYMC) is committed to maintaining the quality of its graduate medical education (GME) programs.  In the event of a program size reduction, program closure, or institutional closure, NYMC will take steps to minimize the disruption to the residents’/fellows’ education and training. 

II. POLICY

NYMC will maintain and ensure support for the residents and fellows enrolled in its GME programs in the event of program size reduction, program closure, or institutional closure.

III. SCOPE

This policy applies to all residents and fellows enrolled in an ACGME or CODA-accredited or recognized program sponsored by NYMC. 

IV. DEFINITIONS 

Resident refers to any person enrolled in a residency program accredited by the ACGME or CODA and sponsored by NYMC.

Fellow refers to any person enrolled in a fellowship program accredited by the ACGME and sponsored by NYMC. 

ACGME is the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

CODA is the Commission on Dental Accreditation

DIO is the Designated Institutional Official 

GMEC is the New York Medical College Graduate Medical Education Committee

Milestones are competency-based developmental outcomes (e.g., knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance) that can be demonstrated progressively by residents/fellows from the beginning of their education through graduation to the unsupervised practice of their specialties

Program faculty refers to faculty members as listed in the ACGME Accreditation Data System (ADS) roster or as provided by the Vice Chancellor for Interprofessional Dental Education in the case of CODA-accredited programs

Sponsoring Institution is an entity that oversees, supports, and administers one or more accredited residency or fellowship programs

V. PROCEDURES

A. Notification Regarding Voluntary Residency Closures and Reductions 

1. If an NYMC GME Consortium hospital intends to eliminate positions through a reduction in the size of a residency program, to close a residency program or to close the hospital, the hospital must inform the GMEC; DIO; and affected program director, associate/assistant program director(s), program coordinator(s), program faculty, and residents/fellows as soon as possible when it intends to take such action.
2. Should NYMC as the Sponsoring Institution intend to reduce the size or close one or more ACGME or CODA accredited or recognized programs, or if NYMC intends to cease serving as a Sponsoring Institution or cease all operations, the Dean or designee must inform the GMEC; DIO; and affected hospital CEO(s), program director(s), associate/assistant program director(s), program coordinator(s), program faculty, and residents/fellows as soon as possible when it intends to take such action.

B. Notification Regarding Involuntary Residency Closures and Reductions

If the size of a program must be reduced, a program closed, or the Sponsoring Institution closed due to an adverse accreditation action, the DIO must inform the Dean, GMEC, affected hospital CEO(s), program director(s), associate/assistant program director(s), program coordinator(s), program faculty, and residents/fellows within 10 working days of receiving notification of the involuntary reduction or closure.

C. Responsibilities Following Notification of Closures and Reductions

1. In the event of a program reduction or closure, or closure of the sponsoring institution, NYMC, the hospital, and the program will work collaboratively to ensure that residents/fellows currently enrolled in the program are able to complete their education within the program, whenever possible.  
2. When it is not possible for current residents/fellows to complete their education within the program, NYMC, the hospital, and the program will work collaboratively to assist trainees in enrolling into another ACGME or CODA accredited (or recognized, as applicable) program in which they may continue their education.  In such cases, programs and hospitals will provide all necessary documentation, including but not limited to: assessments of competence, schedules of rotations completed, permissions to perform patient care tasks under indirect supervision, final summative evaluation, and Milestones (as applicable).  Program directors shall obtain review and approval of the DIO before submitting information or requests to the ACGME, CODA, or other accrediting bodies.  The hospital will make all reasonable efforts to permit the receiving institutions to receive funding for the transferring residents/fellows under Medicare GME “displaced resident” rules.  The hospital will make all reasonable efforts to continue resident/fellow employment and compensation, including continuation of health and other insurance benefits, for a reasonable period of transition to the new employing institution.  The hospital will provide displaced residents/fellows with a reasonable relocation stipend to assist their transition to the new institution, as applicable and as determined by the sponsoring institution in collaboration with the hospital.

VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy is effective immediately.

VII. POLICY MANAGEMENT

Executive Stakeholder: Dean of the School of Medicine
Oversight Office: Office of Graduate Medical Education