Canadian and American medical schools face a rigorous and intense accreditation process during which 131 UGME accreditation standards are assessed. In the surveyors’ final report to the University of Manitoba, issued late October, they acknowledged the faculty’s remarkable effort and team approach.

They commended us for the many important changes and enhancements we have implemented over the last several years and identified standards in need of improvement. We are continuing our hard work in these areas, such as curriculum renewal, curriculum governance and student supports. We will provide a detailed report to surveyors by the end of August 2012 demonstrating our progress and achievements.

I want to sincerely thank and congratulate all of the faculty and staff members whose hard work over the last several years ultimately led to our successful accreditation:

• Associate and Assistant Deans
• Task Force Sub-Committee chairs
• Task Force Committee members
• UGME Course/Clerkship and Program Directors
• UGME Staff
• Dean’s Office Staff
• Department Heads
• Faculty Members
• Manitoba Medical Students Association and all medical students

We can all take pride in our many accomplishments realized in advance of the positive survey visit. However, we cannot rest on our laurels.

UGME accreditation cannot be viewed as an end point, but rather should be considered an ongoing quality assurance process that continually enhances the MD education program and student experience, and improves accountability to the public we serve.