Inspiring Conversations with Barbara Gohre of Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Gohre.

Hi Barbara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Oh, where do I begin? Picture this: a group of passionate GME professionals, armed with spreadsheets, accreditation checklists, and a dream—to be seen and heard. That’s how FULGME was born. We realized that while clinical research was getting all the spotlight, the unsung heroes of Graduate Medical Education—coordinators, administrators, and non-clinical educators—were quietly keeping the wheels turning. So, we created a space just for them. From a humble Facebook survey to a full-blown peer-reviewed journal, our journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. And let me tell you, connecting with others through this process has been the real magic. It’s given us confidence, perspective, and a whole lot of laughs. We’ve learned that when you bring people together, you don’t just share knowledge—you build a community that empowers everyone to be better.

The story of FULGME (Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education) began with a recognition of a critical gap in Graduate Medical Education (GME) scholarship. Traditional journals like the Journal of Graduate Medical Education (JGME) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) primarily focused on clinical research and physician performance metrics, often sidelining the administrative and process-oriented innovations vital to GME’s daily operations. Program coordinators, administrators, and non-clinical educators—who manage accreditation compliance, trainee support, and resource allocation—lacked a dedicated platform to share their practical insights and strategies.

This realization led to the creation of FULGME, a peer-reviewed platform designed to empower GME professionals by amplifying their contributions. The journey started in December 2023 with a needs assessment survey distributed to 5,000 GME professionals via targeted Facebook groups, yielding 211 responses. The survey, refined through pilot testing and guided by established methodologies, confirmed a strong demand for a platform focused on practical insights, with 95% of respondents supporting the idea and 88% prioritizing process-focused content over clinical research. Follow-up interviews with 20 respondents further shaped FULGME’s editorial focus on actionable solutions, such as ACGME reporting tools and coordinator onboarding strategies.

By November 2024, FULGME launched its inaugural issue, featuring five articles on topics like ACGME data management and trainee engagement, selected from eight submissions. The issue resonated with readers, achieving an 85% satisfaction rate in a post-publication survey. One article’s tracking system for aligning ACGME and non-ACGME programs was adopted by other institutions, signaling early impact. By March 2025, FULGME had grown to 200 subscribers, bolstered by outreach on LinkedIn and Facebook, and its ISSN and DOI registration enhanced its academic credibility. A Program Coordinator Bootcamp in January 2025 at the University of Texas Tyler Health Science Center trained 25 attendees, earning a 90% satisfaction rate for its practical tools.

Today, FULGME stands as a vital resource for GME’s operational leaders, fostering collaboration and recognition through its non-profit status and administrative-driven content. With plans for quarterly webinars, a virtual bootcamp in 2026, and a target of 500 subscribers by 2027, FULGME continues to evolve, addressing challenges like funding and broader outreach while redefining GME scholarship to value administrative innovation as much as clinical excellence.

I would like to also acknowledge my husband Aaron Gohre, and my family and friends, and all past and present FULGME board members, without their support over the past two years, none of this would be possible, and the Medical Education community support nationwide!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road? Ha! More like a scenic route with a few potholes and unexpected detours. We faced skepticism, low survey responses, and the ever-persistent challenge of funding. But every hurdle taught us something. Like how to pivot, how to listen, and how to laugh through the chaos. And the best part? We did it together. The board and I leaned on each other, challenged each other, and grew stronger because of it. That camaraderie gave us the courage to keep pushing forward, even when the road got bumpy.

The journey to establish FULGME (Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education) has not been without challenges. While the initiative has made significant strides, several obstacles have shaped its development:

Low Survey Response Rate: The initial needs assessment survey in December 2023, distributed to 5,000 GME professionals, yielded only 211 responses (a 4.22% response rate). This limited generalizability and raised concerns about representativeness, potentially skewing toward social media-active professionals. To address this, FULGME plans to use mixed-mode distribution (e.g., email, professional conferences) for future surveys to reach a broader audience.

Skepticism from Traditional Scholars: During outreach, some journal’s editorial board members questioned FULGME’s divergence from clinical research, suggesting it risked “fragmenting GME scholarship.” This feedback highlighted the challenge of gaining acceptance in a field dominated by clinical-focused journals. FULGME countered this by emphasizing its complementary role, fostering dialogue between clinical and administrative domains.

Sustaining Submissions: As a new platform, maintaining a steady flow of high-quality submissions has been challenging. With only eight submissions for the inaugural issue in November 2024, FULGME must actively encourage contributions from GME professionals. Strategies like quarterly webinars and a virtual bootcamp planned for 2026 aim to boost engagement and submissions.

Funding and Sustainability: Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, FULGME faces financial hurdles to support peer review, outreach, and operations. While targeting $5,000 annually through grants and considering a $25/year subscription model, securing consistent funding without compromising accessibility remains a challenge.
Expanding Reach: The current subscriber base of 686 by July 2025, while promising, represents a small fraction of the GME workforce. Reliance on social media for outreach may limit visibility among less digitally active professionals. FULGME is addressing this by collaborating with GME professional networks and regional training consortia to achieve a goal of 1,000 subscribers by 2027.

Despite these struggles, FULGME’s practitioner-driven focus, validated by 95% survey support for practical insights, and early successes like the well-received inaugural issue and Program Coordinator Bootcamp (90% satisfaction rate) demonstrate resilience. These efforts lay a foundation for overcoming obstacles and expanding FULGME’s impact in GME scholarship.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Educaiton ?
Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education (FULGME)

FULGME isn’t just an organization—it’s a movement. We’re the champions for the behind-the-scenes rockstars of GME. We specialize in turning everyday challenges into shareable, scalable solutions. What sets us apart? We’re real, we’re relatable, and we’re ridiculously passionate about what we do. We’re proud of our journal, our bootcamps, and our growing community. But most of all, we’re proud of the way we’ve lifted each other up. Connecting with our peers has been transformative. It’s helped us see the bigger picture, ask better questions, and show up as our best selves—personally and professionally.

What We Do
The Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education (FULGME) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Graduate Medical Education (GME) through a peer-reviewed GME Journal and Scholarly Exchange platform that prioritizes administrative and process-oriented innovation. We publish practical insights, strategies, and tools to support GME professionals—program coordinators, administrators, and non-clinical educators—in managing daily operations like accreditation compliance, trainee support, and resource allocation. Our quarterly journal, launched in November 2024, features articles on topics such as ACGME data management, coordinator training, and trainee engagement, ensuring actionable solutions reach a wide audience.

What We Specialize In
FULGME specializes in amplifying the often-overlooked contributions of GME’s operational leaders. Unlike traditional journals like JGME or JAMA, which focus on clinical research, we spotlight administrative innovations—such as streamlined duty-hour tracking or enhanced onboarding processes—that directly impact trainee well-being and program success. Our platform fosters cross-institutional collaboration, enabling GME professionals to share best practices and address shared challenges like ACGME compliance and staff development.

What Sets Us Apart
FULGME stands out by filling a critical gap in GME scholarship, offering a dedicated space for non-clinical leaders to gain visibility and credibility. Our administrator-driven approach, validated by a 2023 survey where 95% of 211 respondents supported a platform for practical insights, ensures relevance to daily GME challenges. We combine academic rigor—through ISSN and DOI registration via CrossRef—with accessibility, making our content citable and widely available. Our inclusive community, spanning coordinators (60% of survey respondents), administrators (25%), and faculty (15%), reflects our commitment to all GME roles.

What We’re Most Proud Of
We’re most proud of our trademarked identity, “Forum for United Leaders in Graduate Medical Education,” and our logo, symbolizing unity and innovation. The success of our inaugural issue, with 85% reader satisfaction, and our Program Coordinator Bootcamp in January 2025, which trained 25 attendees with a 90% satisfaction rate, highlight our impact. One article’s tracking system for aligning ACGME and non-ACGME programs was adopted by other institutions, showcasing our ability to drive practical change. We are also proud to be partnered with Four Waves, a platform for abstract submissions and showcasing, this platform allows our authors to easily submit their scholarly works for review by their peers, our associate editors at FULGME. We would like to acknowledge all past and present FULGME board members, as it takes a community of resilient, dedicated, professionals to launch such an innovative journal.

What Readers Should Know
FULGME is more than a journal—it’s a movement to redefine GME scholarship by valuing administrative excellence. Our offerings include:
Quarterly Journal: Featuring peer-reviewed articles with measurable outcomes, accessible at http://www.fulgme.org/.
Training Programs: Events like our January 2025 Bootcamp, with plans for a virtual monthly bootcamp in 2026, provide hands-on skill-building.
Community Engagement: Quarterly webinars (e.g., Q3 2025 ACGME updates) and partnerships with GME networks foster collaboration. We invite coordinators, administrators, and educators to submit insights and join our growing community of 500 subscribers (as of March 2025), with a goal of 1,000 by 2027. By bridging clinical and operational discourse, FULGME empowers GME professionals to shape the future of medical education.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Ah, fourth grade. The year I discovered that words could dance. My English teacher introduced us to Robert Frost, and suddenly, poetry wasn’t just rhymes—it was magic. I wrote a poem about the stars, and when she called it ‘vivid and soulful,’ I felt like I’d just won a Pulitzer. That moment lit a fire in me—a love for language, for storytelling, for connection. It’s that same spark that fuels my work with FULGME today. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about using our voices to make a difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fulgme.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulgme/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1378822809701311
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forum-for-united-leaders-in-graduate-medical-education-fulgme/
• Twitter: https://x.com/fulgme

Image Credits
AHME
FULGME
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