The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office took the national stage at the 2026 Annual Educational Conference hosted by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, held Feb. 19–21 in San Diego, California Centered on the theme “Meaning in Medicine,” the conference convened GME leaders from across the country to collaborate, exchange ideas and explore the evolving landscape of graduate medical education. 

For UNR Med’s GME team, participation went far beyond attendance. This year, they delivered multiple featured presentations, contributing directly to the national dialogue on infrastructure, leadership and belonging in GME. 

“The fact that we were not only attending but delivering multiple presentations reflects that our work is being recognized nationally,” said Melody Aljani, M.S., director of GME at UNR Med. “Presenting at the conference positions our institution as engaged, forward-thinking and willing to share transparently about both challenges and solutions. The content we teach nationally mirrors the systems we are building locally: stronger coordinator-program director partnerships, intentional leadership, and a culture that prioritizes belonging and professionalism.” 

Among the team’s sessions was “Show Me the Money: Your Practical Guide to GME Budgets, Funding and Financial Fluency,” presented by Alijani and Philip Clark, DHA, MBA, senior associate dean of administration and finance. This presentation offered concrete strategies for budgeting and building financial fluency within institutions.  

In “Cooking Up Your GME Gumbo: Designing the Right Recipe for Your Institution,” Alijani explored how to intentionally align GME infrastructure with institutional mission and community needs.  

The session “No Good Deed Goes Unlitigated: Legal Lessons in GME” — presented by Alijani, Charity Felts, J.D., associate general counsel, and Richard Williams, M.D., family and community medicine residency program director — addressed compliance, risk management and the realities of legal complexity in today’s training environment. 

The closing plenary, “Claiming Your Space: Identity, Belonging and Leadership in GME,” brought the conference to an energetic and memorable close. Selected as a featured session with more than 1,800 attendees, it underscored the power of identity and authentic leadership in shaping healthy learning environments. 

“Watching our Director of GME, Melody, speak about belonging at the coordinator plenary was such a highlight,” Alyssa Ontiveros, M.A., obstetrics and gynecology residency program administrator, shared. “Throughout the week, I felt a real sense of belonging and how proud I am to be part of the team.” 

In a surprise moment that captured the spirit of the session, UNR Med’s own Jorge Pulido-Rubio, C-TAGME, operations coordinator for graduate medical education, and J Vineyard, internal medicine residency program administrator, took the stage to perform the chorus of Sweet Caroline, inviting a room full of coordinators to sing along.  

“The energy in the room was contagious!” Ontiveros said. The spontaneous musical moment reinforced the session’s message: the energy leaders bring to their work matters, and meaning in medicine is strengthened by connection, joy and shared purpose. 

Emily Mainwaring, C-TAGME, psychiatry and behavioral sciences residency coordinator, reflected on the broader impact of the week.  

“Attending the ACGME conference reflects UNR Med’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth in graduate medical education,” she said. “In addition to the sessions, one of the most valuable parts of the experience was connecting and networking with GME colleagues from programs across the country — sharing ideas, learning what’s working at other institutions, and bringing those insights back to Reno. We’re proud to represent the University of Nevada, Reno on a national stage and to be part of the broader conversations shaping the future of GME.” 

From financial strategy to belonging, from legal insight to a room filled with song, UNR Med’s GME team demonstrated that meaningful change in medical education is built not only through systems and strategy — but through people, partnership and purpose — strengthening the residency and fellowship programs that train the next generation of physicians serving Nevada and beyond.