Presented by VHWDA
2026 Virginia GME
Summit
Collaborating to shape the future of physician training in Virginia
Bringing together leaders in graduate medical education, healthcare, workforce development, public policy, and economic development, to build partnerships that strengthen physician training, and support the communities they serve.
- Friday, September 25, 2026
- 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- In person
Venue: Liberty Mountain Conference Center
Why this summit matters
A Stronger Physician Workforce Starts with a Shared Strategy.
Timely access to high-quality health care matters to families, employers, and communities all across the Commonwealth. Building that access requires sustained attention to where our physicians train, the specialties they pursue, and the communities where they ultimately practice. Graduate medical education (GME) is the residency or fellowship training physicians complete after medical school. It is a required part of the pathway from medical student to practicing physician.
The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority's second annual GME Summit will bring together experts in graduate medical education and economic development for conversations about the future of Virginia's physician workforce and the communities that depend on it. The summit will explore how Virginia can align training capacity, investment, and regional partnerships to strengthen its physician workforce, particularly in rural and underserved communities experiencing physician shortages.
Liberty Mountain Conference Center
3700 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502
Why attend
Four reasons to participate
Understand Virginia's workforce needs
Explore physician workforce data, regional differences, and the implications for health care access and community planning.
Examine opportunities to expand training
Discuss what it takes to develop and sustain rural and underserved residency programs, from clinical training capacity and faculty to financing and institutional readiness.
Connect health care and economic development
Examine how physician workforce planning fits into broader statewide efforts to support employers, strengthen local institutions, and build thriving communities.
Build partnerships that move Virginia forward
Connect with leaders across sectors to identify shared priorities, explore collaborations, and clarify practical next steps.
Who should attend
Leaders and partners across sectors
This Summit is designed for leaders and partners involved in developing Virginia's physician workforce and strengthening its communities, including:
You do not need to be a GME expert to contribute. A sustainable physician workforce requires expertise in education, healthcare delivery, financing, policy, workforce development, and community planning.
- Hospital, health system, and community health center leaders
- Designated institutional officials, residency and fellowship program directors, and other GME administrators
- Medical school deans, faculty members, and other clinical leaders
- State and local policymakers
- Economic development and regional planning professionals
- Rural health and public health leaders
- Workforce development organizations
- Federally Qualified Health Centers and Area Health Education Centers
- Foundations, investors, and community partners
- Institutions exploring new or expanded residency training
Topics
What we will explore
- 01
Virginia's physician workforce
Regional workforce needs, specialty gaps, training capacity, and opportunities to align physician education with community priorities.
- 02
GME and regional economic development
The relationship between physician training, healthcare access, institutional strength, employers, and regional development.
- 03
Funding and sustainability
The resources, partnerships, and long-term planning required to develop and sustain residency programs.
- 04
Rural and community-based training
Approaches to creating meaningful physician training opportunities in communities experiencing persistent access challenges.
- 05
Readiness for growth
The leadership, faculty, clinical experiences, financing, and infrastructure needed to support strong training programs.
- 06
From discussion to implementation
Shared priorities, accountable partnerships, and practical next steps for Virginia's physician workforce.
Planning Resources
Continue the Work Beyond the Summit
Explore practical guidance, research, funding information, and technical assistance for organizations developing graduate medical education in rural and underserved communities.
Agenda
Summit agenda
The summit will combine data, policy, practical guidance, regional perspectives, and structured discussion.
- 10:00 a.m.Welcome and Graduate Medical Education (GME) Update
- 10:10 a.m.Understanding State Rural GME Models
- 11:10 a.m.Accreditation for Rural and Underserved GME Models
- 12:10 p.m.Lunch
- 12:30 p.m.Economic Development and GME
- 1:30 p.m.Case Presentation — Collaboration: Challenges & Opportunities
- 2:30 p.m.Breakout Discussions
- 3:30 p.m.Wrap Up and Closing Remarks
- 4:00 p.m.Optional Networking meetings OR Collaborative Healthplex tour
Speakers
Featured speakers
View biographyLori Rodefeld, MS
Director of Rural GME Development & Support
Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education
View biographyLaney McDougal, MS-HSM
Director of Rural and Underserved Graduate Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
View biographyStephanie Norris
Regional Economist and Director, Community College Initiative
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Help shape Virginia's physician workforce.
Join leaders from across healthcare, education, government, workforce development, and economic development for a focused conversation about Virginia's physician workforce.