Dr. Linda Archer Receives ACGME Courage to Lead Award

The Courage to Lead Award honors designated institutional officials who have demonstrated excellence in overseeing residency programs at their sponsoring institutions. Designated institutional officials, or DIOs, have authority and responsibility for all graduate medical education programs in a teaching hospital, community hospital or other type of institution that sponsors residency programs.

Dr. Linda Archer

Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education

Nominators had this to say:

Dr. Archer consistently displays a highly principled pattern of behavior in support of the institution and resident education alike. In my involvement with Dr. Archer on internal review committees, she continually displays a value-based approach to the handling of complex and difficult challenges. She is able to navigate the multi-dimensional medical education system. All of these qualities and her consistent effort occur “behind the scenes.” As a resident or faculty member, unless you are active in these committees, you may not realize the effort she makes to ensure consistent quality graduate medical education because programs run so smoothly. Having been involved, I have seen her efforts and I am greatly appreciative.

Dr. Archer has not only been incredibly responsive to the needs of Program Directors, but equally important, to the needs of our residents. Dr. Archer provides financial and personal support to the Association of Residents at EVMS and meets with them on a regular basis. Specific examples of recent changes made by Dr. Archer based on feedback from the Association of Residents include: direct paycheck deposit; improved access to computers within our participating hospitals; newly refurbished and improved call rooms; and free meals in the hospital while on-call. As one of the resident representatives stated, “When feedback is given, she readily accepts this and makes every effort to take that feedback into consideration of future endeavors.” She is the consummate resident advocate. Dr. Archer was able to accomplish this by her skillful and determined negotiations with our hospital partners.