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The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has named Deborah DeMarco, MD, the recipient of its 2020 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award. The award acknowledges the leadership and commitment of designated institutional officials who foster an excellent environment for resident/fellow education at their institutions.
Dr. DeMarco, professor of medicine, is senior associate dean for clinical affairs and associate dean for graduate medical education. She has been a faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology since 1992.
“As a principled, passionate and prominent institutional leader who is held in the highest regard by all members of our academic community, Dr. DeMarco embodies and espouses the values that are at the heart of this award,” wrote Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the School of Medicine, who sponsored the nomination.
As associate dean of graduate medical education, DeMarco has devoted a significant portion of her career to overseeing and guiding the UMMS residency and fellowship programs.
“I’m thrilled to have received this award but I wish it could be a team award because I couldn’t do the work I do without the GME office staff and the support of the chancellor and dean,” said DeMarco. Since she assumed its leadership, the Office of Graduate Medical Education has instituted a web-based residency management program; participated in Resident Appreciation Week; established an open-door policy for residents; and overall ensured that residents receive the education they came here for in a supportive learning climate.
DeMarco previously served as program director for the internal medicine residency. In 2005, she was elected president of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine. She was also at the helm when Graduate Medical Education completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education site visit in 2005 and was awarded full accreditation for five years—the longest cycle length possible. In 2009, she was named a fellow of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Prior to joining UMMS, she was assistant professor of medicine in the section of rheumatology at Temple University.
A board-certified rheumatologist/fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, DeMarco graduated from New York University School of Medicine, completed internal medicine residency at Temple University and was a fellow in rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her academic roles, DeMarco cares for Veterans Administration patients in her clinical practice.
DeMarco and other ACGME awardees will be recognized during the 2021 ACGME Annual Educational Conference convening virtually in February.
Related story on UMassMed News:
UMass Medical School receives DeWitt C Baldwin Jr. Award
