[Laurel Lewis]

Reminder that the deadline is approaching!

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be an active member of ARCOS
• Be current on ARCOS Institutional dues ($275) for July 2026 – June 2027
• Submit a formal letter of request from their Program Director, which must:
  • Clearly state the program’s financial need
  • Identify the coordinator by name
  • Include any additional supporting details

Email the letter to:  Laurel Lewis, ARCOS Immediate Past President at llewis8@wellspan.org
Deadline:  Friday, October 30, 2026

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

Just a reminder that applications to become a member at large on the ARCOS Board of Directors are still being excepted.

Please send me an email if you have questions.

I would love to chat with you about it!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

Hi Shawna,

We just sent in our materials for a compliment increase to catch the current RC meeting, too.

I agree with Cindy, if you can get your DIO to sign off, you don’t have to implement the increase until you are ready.  If you think about it, unless you find PGY’s 2-4 in the match, or elsewhere,  you will have open spots in your program for a few years.

Again, agreeing with Cindy, our ACGME contacts have been very communicative since we sent the info in.  I would suggest emailing both Citlali cmeza@acgme.org Associate Executive Director and Deanna DEallonardo@acgme.org Accreditation Administer and pose your questions.

Hope it works out!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

So kind of you to make sure the rest of us don’t miss the email, Helen!

Also, I reached out to Brittain Cheek about the 36O evals, too.  Just a quick tip in case anyone wasn’t sure (I wasn’t): evaluators stay on the account until you remove them.  So, you can simply add new evaluators as needed and the previous additions just roll over.

Hope you are all making it through ADS season!!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

Hi Sarah,

Our GMEC is run exactly like Laurie’s.  PD’s can ask that an item be put on the agenda but while they participate in the discussion, they do not run the GMEC.  This is a Medical Education function headed by the DIO and he also completes the minutes/agenda.

Happy Friday!!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

All great questions, Heather!

1. Does your program purchase lead for your residents?  Yes, our program purchases for each intern during orientation.

2. If so, do your resident take their lead to outside rotations?  Yes, our residents are responsible for their lead and do take it to out rotations.

3. If yes to both of the questions above, what kind and how often are the aprons examined and tested under fluoro?  I am not sure but at least every 4 years because as PGY4’s the WellSpan “Lead Police” confiscate the lead from where the residents store it, and we’ve had to replace it if it did not pass.  We were also Burlington victims last year, so the lead was taken early from our interns and fellows and not replaced for about 6 months!!  We now use Barrier Technologies, is that what you mean by what type or do you mean Lead Apron vs Lead Skirt/Vest?  They can order either and also get a thyroid shield and lead glasses.

4. Do you allow the residents to take the lead with them after graduation? Do you have them sign something acknowledging that the training hospital is no longer responsible for it?  Yes, they do take it with them and no we don’t have them sign a waiver. 

I’d like to know if programs require residents to wear “radiation badges” that measure the amount of radiation they are receiving?  If so, what tips, tricks, or strategies have you found effective in getting residents to take badge compliance seriously?

~Laurel

 

[Laurel Lewis]

Hi Karla!

We just switched to Barrier Technologies.  The are located in FL, but we are in PA, so they might have a rep in your area, Karla.  Our PA reps is Bill.  He might be able to help you find a TX rep.  I’ve known him for years and he gives great service.

Bill McManamon

wmmcmanamon@msn.com

https://barriertechnologies.com/

cell:  (484) 678-5854

Hope this works out for you!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

For those of you who could not make the ABOS Residency Review and Attestation (RRA) Form Virtual Session the recording is now available on the ARCOS Website.

Here is how to access it:

1. Log into the ARCOS website at https://arcosonline.org
2. At the top of the page, click on Resources from the Menu
3. On the drop-down menu, select ARCOS Virtual Sessions under the heading Coordinator Resources

Reminder:  The Coordinator part of the forms are due next Monday, June 1, 2026 and PD’s need to complete their sign off by June 15, 2026.

This could answer your questions about the RRA form completion.  If you need help don’t forget to select a mentor and contact them!  You can access the list of Mentors on the ARCOS Website Home Page by selecting the MENTORSHIP BUTTON under the Save the Date information.

ABOS Contact:  Sonya Parker, sparker@abos.org    (919) 929-7103

New ABOS Contact:  Brittain Cheek, bcheek@abos.org  (919) 929-7103

 

Keep moving forward together!!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

Oh, right, I guess I read that wrong.  I thought you spoke to one of the chairs or other members of the review committee.  We already have Kristen speak at the conference.  But also good to know that this is a topic we can ask her to expand upon and she has the information to respond, too.

 

[Laurel Lewis]

HI Helen,

We are planning to apply for a complement increase soon, so I would really appreciate any tips or insights you can share!  Als0, I didn’t know we could meet with the ACGME review committee executive director!!  Who was that and maybe we can invite them to speak during the ACGME session at the ARCOS conference in Dallas???

Thanks,

~Laurel

 

[Laurel Lewis]

Hi Marie and Kelly!

I have attached my G&O for you.  I am embarrassed that I have not updated these since 2020 but they can still be a guideline for you!  We are also adding PM&R this year to the intern rotation and I actually just used AI to “write” those.

Hope everyone is having a nice spring!

~Laurel

Attachments:

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[Laurel Lewis]

All great ideas!!!

I don’t go that fancy; I just get the baby’s details and pictures of baby and family and make a poster for my door.  The problem is, I hate taking them down!  I also make a poster for new pets!

~Laurel

[Laurel Lewis]

Here is some more info from Christina:

Hi everyone,
AAOS has identified an issue with the Annual Meeting app where resident‑facing courses and meetings are incorrectly displaying a payment requirement. These sessions are free for residents, and the paywall you’re seeing in the app is an error.

Please feel comfortable registering for any resident‑designated sessions. AAOS is working to correct the display issue, but in the meantime, no payment is required for these offerings.

If you have any trouble registering or have questions about specific sessions, let us know.  Thank you for your patience while this gets resolved.

Please see the attachment below to share with your resident with important links for the Resident Assembly, Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program, Resident Bowl and LOTS more!!!

Also, contact information for Lisa Murphy and Elizabeth Durham is in the attached.

Attachments:

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[Laurel Lewis]

Reminder to please take a moment to vote today!!

Here is the link:  https://arcosonline.org/vote/ 

[Laurel Lewis]

Agree that it is a program preference.  We have 3 per year, two are voted by residents and faculty as Chiefs (one Administrative and one Academic) with specific responsibilities.  They get an increase in pay to be a Chief.  All PGY 4 and 5 are considered “Seniors” in our program.

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