Updates From Leadership
Dear Colleagues,
My thanks to everyone who took time to engage with our team during Learn Serve Lead 2024: the AAMC Annual Meeting earlier this month. We appreciate all of the questions, suggestions, and comments you shared. It was gratifying to hear the positive feedback around our recent work, including:
- More data-sharing for programs and institutions through Cerebellum and for medical schools via Dean’s Office WorkStation (DWS) Analytics for Schools.
- Incorporating program signaling into the ERAS® application and expanding their use to fellowship programs (for December programs during the 2025 cycle and July programs starting in the 2026 cycle).
- The Specialty Spotlight webinar series we launched this year with our Careers in Medicine® program colleagues.
- Beginning with the 2026 ERAS season, the AAMC-Thalamus collaboration will provide all ERAS programs with complimentary access to the innovative Cortex holistic application review platform.
We also appreciate that many of you have not been shy about letting us know how we can improve our platforms — please keep those comments coming. This input is incredibly valuable as we make updates for the 2026 season, including:
- Refining the Extensions and Interruptions section of the MyERAS® application to provide more options and clarify how applicants should respond to this section.
- Studying the use of geographic preferences, the impact of signaling, and customizing sections of the application for individual specialties.
- Continuing to gather community feedback to make the Publications section content less repetitive while better showcasing applicants’ scholarly work.
- Building on the AAMC artificial intelligence principles to add more guidance and support for applicants, advisors, and programs.
- Adding more Specialty Spotlight webinars for the 2026 ERAS season.
Please keep your feedback coming and consider inviting us to your specialty’s next meeting.
Patrick Fritz
AAMC Senior Director for Residency and Fellowship Services
New Thalamus Blog Update
Check out the latest Thalamus blog post for an update on the success they’ve had to this point in the ERAS recruitment season. The blog features useful information and data from the AAMC-Thalamus collaboration.
Thalamus Holistic Review Community Forum
Join the Thalamus Customer Success Team and a panel of program coordinators on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. ET for a deep dive into the “why” behind using Thalamus Holistic Review rank list tools to facilitate change management.
During this free event, you will gain:
- Expert advice on how to streamline your review committee meetings.
- Enhanced understanding of managing and exporting Rank Lists.
- A take-home Rank List Roadmap to support your success.
Thalamus Holistic Review Office Hours
Whether you're new to scoring or looking for deeper understanding, the Thalamus team is here to support your journey. They will be hosting dedicated open office hours specifically focused on answering your scoring questions on Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, and 27. Register to attend.
Help Your Applicants Leverage the Residency Explorer™ Tool During Interview Season
As your applicants enter interview season, remind them that the Residency Explorer™ tool remains a valuable resource. It can help them prepare thoughtful questions, stand out in interviews, and assess which programs best align with their goals. With features such as program characteristics, resident demographics, research opportunities, and unique offerings (e.g., global health tracks), applicants can feel more confident and well-prepared.
Encourage your applicants to explore the tool throughout their interview process to make the most informed decisions. Learn more at residencyexplorer.org.
New: Updated Residency Preference Exercise from AAMC Careers in Medicine® Program
The AAMC has developed a new Residency Preference Exercise (RPE) that is now available on the AAMC Careers in Medicine (CiM) website. This tool helps medical students consider and evaluate their requirements, priorities, and preferences for their residency or fellowship training, then assess training programs based on those criteria.
The tool’s content remains the same while the user experience has been enhanced, including:
- New look and feel
- Streamlined workflow
- Clearer instructions
- Device-responsive (mobile-friendly)
- Improved accessibility
For more about how the RPE can help medical students create their smart residency application strategy, visit the CiM website (sign-in required).
Smart Residency Application Strategy Resources from AAMC Careers in Medicine® Program
As the year winds down for third-year students and their fourth year approaches, they have many decisions to make and tasks to accomplish that can leave them feeling overwhelmed. We encourage students to take one step at a time, follow the advice of experienced career advisors, and use these resources from the Careers in Medicine program to help navigate toward a successful match.to help navigate toward a successful match.
Webinar Recording: Medical Students Interested in Exploring Family Medicine
The CiM program and the American Academy of Family Physicians hosted a free, one-hour webinar titled Vibe Check: Is Family Medicine Right for Me? This event focused on helping students choose a meaningful career that aligns with their values and interests and featured a virtual panel of family physicians who provide innovative patient care and pursue unique career paths. Watch the recording.
New Medicare-Supported Residency Positions Will Expand Health Care Access and Physician Workforce
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have published its list of teaching hospitals that were awarded new Medicare-supported graduate medical education positions created under Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The 200 additional residency positions will help grow the physician workforce and expand access to care for patients across the country. “These new residency positions will have a tangible, positive impact on a diverse mix of communities across the nation, including traditionally underserved areas,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, in a statement. “Medical school enrollment has continued to grow, but a commensurate increase in residency positions is necessary to help ensure that there are enough opportunities for medical school graduates to complete their training and practice independently.” Read More
AAMC to Require Two-Factor Authentication for Some Account Users
The AAMC takes the security of our community’s data very seriously. In addition to substantial internal controls and information security infrastructure, the AAMC will soon require two-factor authentication (2FA) for users with high-level access to further enhance AAMC account security. 2FA is a two-step process that provides an added layer of security beyond the standard username and password; high-level access users are those with permissions to access third-party personal data, business/institutional data, or the ability to assign user roles. Upon login, these users will be required to set up 2FA before accessing any services (MCAT ® Accommodations, PREview ® Portal, ERAS systems, the VSLO® application service, and more). For users without high-level access, setting up 2FA will remain optional. This initiative is designed to protect sensitive data and safeguard access to the information of others. Review the FAQs to learn more.
Events and Resources
Unlock the Secrets of Thalamus and ERAS: Essential Insights for DIOS webinar
Monday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. ET
ERAS PDWS Q&A Webinar
Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. ET
Thalamus Rank List Readiness Community Forum
Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. ET