Center for Learning and Professional Development

ANNUAL REPORT 2026

CENTER FOR LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Welcome

The Center for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD) is shaping the future of healthcare education across our rural academic health system. By integrating continuing education, healthcare simulation, and graduate medical education, we connect people, expertise, and innovation to build a stronger, more adaptable healthcare workforce. Our 63 multidisciplinary professional partners collaborate across disciplines and throughout the health system to create evidence-based, learner-centered experiences that advance professional growth, strengthen interprofessional practice, and ultimately improve the care of the communities we serve.

As a strategic partner in education and workforce development, CLPD extends its impact from students and trainees to practicing clinicians, teams, and healthcare leaders. We are committed to creating an educational ecosystem that anticipates the evolving needs of healthcare, embraces innovation, and prepares individuals and teams to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Through collaboration, continuous improvement, and a shared commitment to excellence, we are investing in the people who will shape the future of healthcare—locally, across our region, and beyond.

Our teams

CLPD is comprised of 4 teams: Accredited Continuing Education (ACE), Graduate Medical Education (GME), Learning Design and Systems (LDaS), and Simulation-Based Education and Research & Interprofessional Continuing Education (SBERI).

Our mission/vision

We use our expertise to co-create inspiring learning experiences for healthcare professionals.

Accomplishments

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Accomplishments

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Benjamin Drapcho MD and Krysztof Bujarski MD on 4w.

In collaboration with Inpatient Neurology and Neurology Specialty Care, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center’s American Heart Association Training Center, housed within SBERI and known as the Life Support Program, earned accreditation as an Advanced Stroke Life Support Training Center. This expands the program’s ability to provide standardized, evidence-based stroke education to clinicians in neurology-based departments.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) activity in 2026 included successful site visits for Consultation Liaison – Psychiatry, approval of a Micrographic Surgery fellowship (starting 2027) and the acceptance of the first fellow into the Interventional Pulmonology fellowship program. In addition, a new fellowship application in Sports Medicine is currently under review with the Orthopaedics Review Committee.
The Learning Design and Systems Team (LDaS) designed and deployed an interactive digital learning experience to help primary care clinicians evaluate patients presenting with low back pain and determine appropriate next steps. The program incorporates guided diagnostic questions, custom procedure videos and printable clinical resources to support appropriate referrals and reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging.

Working with Quality and Project Management, the SBERI team completed numerous systems integration projects across 2025 and 2026 to ready staff for patient care unit moves and new operational lines. Using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model, staff weighed the people, patients, tools and technology, physical environment, and organizational impact of each move to determine the systems testing and staff training needed for safe, quality care. This included alarm testing, scenario-based scavenger hunts, and medical emergency response training across multiple inpatient units and a new hematology and oncology infusion and inpatient suite. Nursing feedback was overwhelmingly positive: staff reported that the training completed before their move increased their confidence to provide quality care, including during emergencies.
The Learning Design and Systems team co-led the implementation and June 30 launch of Cornerstone OnDemand and HealthStream Learning, establishing new enterprise platforms for learning, talent development and clinical competency management across Dartmouth Health. Approximately 4,500 learning completions were recorded across the platforms during the first seven days of rollout.

Number of accredited continuing education activities in (CY25)

Live Activities

RSS/NRSS

Enduring materials

IPCE Activities

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Accomplishments

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The Patient Safety Training Center hosted the New England Healthcare Simulation Consortium, convening simulation professionals from across the region. This undertaking was supported by multiple departments within the Center for Learning and Professional Development and reflects a shared commitment to building partnerships and strengthening the regional simulation community.
The Life Support Program worked with education staff at Mount Ascutney Hospital to strengthen its in-house life support training, providing Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Moderate Sedation instructor training and building the hospital’s internal instructor capacity. The Life Support Program also extended access to the course-management platform and, through the contracted volume with RQI Partners, gave Mount Ascutney reduced-cost access to online American Heart Association modules billed on actual usage. This is a first step toward a single Dartmouth Health system-wide agreement that would leverage collective purchasing volume, lower costs, and create more consistent life support education across the system.
As part of the Learning, Talent and Competency implementation, LDaS partnered with Human Resources, Information Systems and Nursing to transform historical learning, performance and competency data from multiple legacy systems into standardized formats for migration and verification within Cornerstone and HealthStream.
Members of the LDaS team collaborated with QGenda and MedHub vendor consultants to redesign the annual resident schedule changeover process, improving coordination between the clinical scheduling and resident management systems.
$150,000 from the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation for CY26. These funds will be used to support philanthropic activities related to education, medical research, and the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

SBERI team members attended and actively contributed content as subject matter experts to regional, national, and international conferences. In addition, six individuals attained or renewed their certifications with The Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and the department successfully published one peer-reviewed research paper with another in press after receiving “accept with minor revisions” from peer reviewer.
In January 2026, CLPD expanded its accreditation offerings to include continuing education credit for Registered Dietitians through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Through Joint Accreditation, Dartmouth Health can now provide accredited education for interprofessional teams or individual professions in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and dietetics.
Judy Langhans and Terri Farnham successfully earned the new ACCME Certificate in Implementing Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. This certificate recognizes CE professionals who demonstrate knowledge and application of the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence, supporting professional development and organizational excellence in accredited continuing education.
Marcus Jenkyn successfully earned the new ACCME Certificate in Data Management in Accredited CE. This certificate recognizes CE professionals who accurately manage and report CE activity and learner data in ACCME’s Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS), meet accreditation expectations, and support operational excellence.
GME worked closely with Informatics, Epic, Learning Design and Systems, and Telehealth to improve and streamline the process for the GME resident/fellow Vermont licensure eDH interface. These improved processes support billing and scheduling and ensure residents/fellows who see Telehealth patients are appropriately licensed.

GME Alumni Statistics

GME training programs that fully matched for AY26-27

2025 Graduates that met ACGME Case Log requirements

Residents/Fellows that agree they find their work meaningful

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Accomplishments

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The Learning Design and Systems team expanded the use of the Qstream microlearning platform to Nurse Professional Development Specialists, enabling nurse educators to independently develop, publish and measure microlearning activities for their clinical audiences.
The CLPD and Geisel School of Medicine (Office of Educational Affairs & Department of Medical Education) co-direct and co-administer the Academy of Educators & Scholars, a cross-institutional program that raises the bar for interprofessional and interdisciplinary education across our region. Led by Dr. Vergo (CLPD) and Dr. Thesen (Geisel), the Academy welcomed more than 100 new members across multiple experience levels this year. The Academy has offered Foundational Skills Series in Educational Scholarship and Education, co-sponsored events with the Departments of Medical Education, Pediatrics, and Medicine, and will support four scholars through funding from the Grimshaw Gudewicz Charitable Foundation to develop educational initiatives using the AI Patient Actor platform in palliative care, primary care, psychiatry, and undergraduate medical education.
Members of the ACE team submitted physician Maintenance of Certification participation records to seven specialty boards on behalf of Dartmouth Health physicians, expanding the service by two additional specialty boards since 2025.

Over the past year, four long-time CLPD members have retired, and their knowledge, dedication and commitment to supporting colleagues and educational partners have made a lasting impact on CLPD, Dartmouth Health and the healthcare professions we serve. Many heartfelt thanks to our valued colleagues Billie Jean Bruno, GME Anesthesiology Residency Program Coordinator (18 years), Kathie Hale, GME Gastroenterology & Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Program Coordinator (15 years), Judy Langhans, Accreditation and Education Specialist, Sr., (34 years), and Judy Collins, GME Emergency Medicine Residency Program Coordinator (18 years).

GME established the GME Leadership Academy to expand the professional growth opportunities for trainees in building leadership skills, exploring research, improving systems, understanding the business of healthcare, addressing health equity issues, and engaging in national conferences. In addition to Professional Development fund, that completed its second year with a robust 11 trainees receiving a total of $25,000, GME launched the companion fellowship to the current Conifer Health Equity fellowship. The Conifer Quality Safety Improvement fellowship is a two-year certificate fellowship program where participants spend their first year attending monthly seminars and planning a quality improvement project. The second year’s focus is project implementation.
The Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) approved a new Wellbeing Policy and associated job aids that offer specific guidance to GME program leadership on how to support childbearing and non-childbearing trainees during and post pregnancy. The new policy and aids will assist residents/fellows and program leadership navigate the individual and program specific supports available during this important time in a trainee’s life.

Featured New Employees

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Heather Almstrom

NEW HIRE
Heather Almstrom, BA, C-TAGME
GME Program Coordinator – Gastroenterology & Hospice/Palliative Medicine

As a Program Coordinator, I support the day-to-day operations and administration of graduate medical education programs. My responsibilities include coordinating recruitment and onboarding, maintaining trainee records and schedules, supporting program leadership and faculty, facilitating educational activities, and ensuring compliance with institutional and accreditation requirements. I serve as a key point of contact for trainees, faculty, and institutional teams, helping to promote an organized and supportive training environment.

Lindsey Bateman

NEW HIRE
Lindsey Bateman, AS
GME Program Coordinator – Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine & Regional Anesthesiology

I am the Program Coordinator for Pain medicine and Regional and Acute Pain medicine fellowships and am also the co-coordinator for the Anesthesia Residency program. I help to ensure the residents and fellows are in compliance, happy and well. My favorite parts of the job include being the support person for my residents/fellows, getting to play such an important role in their education, and making connections with them.

Kat Giamburno

NEW HIRE
Katherine Giambruno
GME Program Coordinator – Allergy/Immunology, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology

My new role is Program Coordinator for three different fellowship programs- Allergy and Immunology, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and Interventional Cardiology. I like how varied each program is and how different every day is. It’s also so rewarding to see these new doctors grow and learn from the experience. I volunteered for orientation this year and the best part was seeing each new doctor in their lab coat and how excited they were. It’s such a blessing to be part of such a milestone in their lives.

Kelly Spriggs

NEW HIRE
Kelly Spriggs
Nurse Educator

In my new role, I focus on curriculum design and development for simulation-based educational experiences across all health professions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and throughout the Dartmouth Health System. I also collaborate with our academic partners, including Geisel School of Medicine and the Colby-Sawyer Nursing Program, to develop meaningful and innovative learning experiences. What I enjoy most is the opportunity to collaborate across professions and disciplines. I particularly value bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to create educational experiences that strengthen teamwork and ultimately improve patient care.

Initiatives

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Initiatives

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GME is working with senior leadership to launch the first satellite MHMH ACGME-accredited training program at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC). The 3-year rural Family Medicine Residency program, planned to begin in 2029, has approvals from the boards at DHMC and SVMC, philanthropy efforts in full swing, and building permits in the works. Administrative, accreditation, and financial teams are working together to ensure a smooth path forward for the project.
The GMEC reviewed and ranked the educational rationales for permanent complement increases totaling 35 FTEs for 10 GME accredited training programs (six residencies and four fellowships) and despite challenging times, Dartmouth Health senior leaders demonstrated their commitment to GME by approving the financial support for 24 programs, totaling 14 FTEs. Approval for one program (three positions) has been approved; the remainder are pending ACGME approval.
SBERI collaborated with subject matter experts from nursing, security, and medicine within the emergency and psych departments at DHMC and Hampstead Hospital to begin developing expanded and ongoing simulation training to support clinical and non-clinical staff in practicing specific patient interventions and de-escalation techniques to enhance healthcare professional and patient safety in tense interpersonal interactions.

The Patient Safety Training Center is piloting a web-based tool that lets staff and standardized patients deliver structured feedback while observing events, and are building a library of recorded training materials. Together these efforts standardize how SP events are prepared, run, and evaluated.
GME Leadership is collaborating with the Department of Psychiatry to launch a structured, standardized, and proactive mental health outreach process for DHMC/MHMH GME resident and fellows which also incorporates mental health support and improved access to resources/clinicians. The project aims to develop a real time response to high-risk positive screens and to provide an additional avenue for gathering resources for those seeking support.
The Simulation Operations team’s capabilities are expanding through additional training in mobile simulation operations, up-training technicians to independently support and facilitate mobile events at Dartmouth Health member organizations alongside our senior technicians. This increases the capacity to deliver high-quality simulation across the system and adds flexibility in staffing and scheduling. It has directly improved support for Dr. Maia Rutman and the New Hampshire Emergency Medical Services for Children Program.

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Initiatives

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The Standardized Patient program in the PSTC has strengthened coordination and communication and deepened coverage and communication within the Standardized Patient program and coverage across simulation roles, so standardized patients have what they need to perform well. A web-based scheduling and information-sharing platform anchors this work, giving standardized patients and staff a shared calendar, direct and group messaging, and both general and event-specific training materials.
The Curriculum Subcommittee of the GMEC completed a Healthcare Disparities project report summarizing the current performance metrics used to identify vulnerable patient populations and the improvement efforts to address healthcare disparities at DHMC. The committee recommended that healthcare disparities metrics and improving those metrics need to be more readily available to trainees and programs. GME leadership will be championing this work in 2026-2027 and is working with Informatics and community health colleagues to move this initiative forward.
LDaS, along with with Human Resources, Nursing and other systems leaders, launched the development of an enterprise-wide learning governance framework designed to align educational priorities, standards, technology and investment across Dartmouth Health.

Reduced email marketing subscription costs by 48% through contact list cleanup and optimization, saving the organization money while continuing to promote Accredited Continuing Education learning activities by email.
The SBERI team contributes directly to New Hampshire’s GO North healthcare workforce campaign in partnership with the University of New Hampshire, delivering workshops and providing advice and consultation to their simulation faculty and staff. This work extends the center’s expertise beyond its own walls and supports the development of the state’s broader healthcare workforce.
Ten physicians earned MOC Part 4 credit for participating in a quality improvement project focused on smoking cessation and CT lung cancer screening counseling and documentation. In collaboration with the Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) team and NH QuitWorks, participants reviewed current smoking cessation therapies and documentation and billing best practices. Post-intervention survey results demonstrated improvements in physician knowledge, confidence, and willingness to address smoking cessation and lung cancer screening with eligible patients during office visits.

Doctor discussing lung cancer with patient

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Initiatives

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CLPD held its fourth All Hands retreat, bringing together staff from across the division to strengthen collaboration, communication, and strategic alignment. The retreat included leadership updates, highlights of accomplishments since the previous gathering, and interactive team and cross-team activities. Participants explored opportunities to better communicate the work and impact of CLPD across the organization and identified effective channels and strategies for sharing information. The day concluded with the CLPD Cup Games, a team-building activity designed to foster connection and collaboration.
With Dartmouth Health Workforce Development the Simulation team built a simulation experience that lets Medical Assistants move directly into the Registered Nurse program at River Valley Community College without first working as a Licensed Nursing Assistant. Previously, Medical Assistants had to leave their Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center clinic positions to earn a Licensed Nursing Assistant license and gain experience before applying. River Valley Community College has approved the program, and the first cohort completed it June 2026.
The SBERI team continues to strengthen its collaboration with nursing education by delivering skills training in place, in clinical areas, when Patient Safety Training Center space does not fit their scheduling needs. Our team transports and configures the full training setup, works with professional development nurses beforehand to match the space and stations to the learning objectives, and breaks it all down afterward. This gives nursing education greater flexibility and brings simulation support directly into clinical areas across the organization.

The Patient Safety Training Center has moved to a six-month scheduling model to make access more responsive, equitable, and collaborative. The change reduces the sense that training space is hard to obtain, preserves room for emerging and high-priority needs, and better supports the programs responsible for hiring and onboarding new Dartmouth Health staff, along with external partners such as the Geisel School of Medicine and Colby-Sawyer College. It also lets programs adapt their curricula without being locked into schedules set a year or more in advance.
“Staying Current for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) Lead Planners & Coordinators: Updates & Discussion” continued as a quarterly series led by Max Vergo, MD, Medical Director & Associate Dean for Interprofessional Educational Practice; Cara DeLura, Director, Learning Design and Systems; and Terri Farnham, Director, Accredited Continuing Education. Now in its third year, the series provides Lead Planners and Program Coordinators with timely accreditation updates, guidance on complex criteria and processes, and opportunities for discussion and Q&A. The sessions continue to be a valued resource for stakeholders navigating accredited continuing education requirements.

Access our video library for “Staying Current for Accredited Continuing Education (ACE) Lead Planners & Coordinators: Updates & Discussion”

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Conclusion

CLPD is proud of the work completed this year to expand and improve educational opportunities across our health system. We look forward to 2026 – 2027 and another year supporting the work of our colleagues and learners throughout Dartmouth Health.

For more information please email clpd.support@hitchcock.org or click on a link below to visit our websites: