Educational Consortium Bylaws

Adopted May 29, 1996

The name of this consortium shall be the Graduate Medical Education Alliance (GMEA) of Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Graduate Medical Education Alliance will unite the resources of MSUCOM and member health care institutions to support quality in medical educational programs, responsive to the health care needs of Michigan and compliant with state and federal regulations and accreditation standards for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education.

• To promote and foster GMEA as a center of excellence for the continuum of graduate medical education, scholarly activity, professional development,  and osteopathic recognition.

• To provide an organizational mechanism for statewide planning and policy decision-making to respond effectively as a consortium to opportunities, challenges, and issues affecting graduate medical education and health-care delivery in community-based programs.

• To form and maintain an organizational structure incorporating representation of all members and non-members and establish procedures for the operation of GMEA.

• To improve the quality of postdoctoral medical education affiliated with Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine through the collaboration of members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs.

Members of GMEA are independent organizations working together to achieve their mission.  Accordingly, the GMEA Bylaws are not intended to change the authority or responsibility of MSUCOM, or the educational partners as described by each organization's respective Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws.

Each Member shall appoint a designee to represent its institution at Membership meetings.  One person may not represent more than one institution.

• Members are expected to meet applicable institutional training standards.

• Members have the right of free association with other educational consortia and institutions.

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) teaching hospitals that conduct accredited training programs and/or serve as a base site for MSUCOM student rotations are eligible to be Members of GMEA. Members include institutions that seek the support of educational resources for their residency programs and faculty. All GMEA members will be assessed membership dues for central administrative and educational services based on the number of residents and faculty participating in those services. Core services (Professional Development, Faculty Development, Scholarly Activity Education and Consultation, and Osteopathic Recognition support) will be extended to those faculty and residents from the member programs as well as non-member individuals seeking to advance their professional development. Core services may be paid for through membership dues, program subscriptions or non-member requests for consultation.

The Graduate Medical Education Alliance (GMEA) offers three primary membership levels to support residency programs, faculty, and coordinators. The Full-Program Membership provides a comprehensive supplemental curriculum, including Scholarly Activities, Faculty Development, and Core Resident programs. This option is designed for hospital residency programs in specialties like Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, ENT – Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Urologic Surgery. Membership is available on a per-program fee basis, and core faculty gain additional access at no extra charge.

For programs that do not require the full supplemental curriculum or for those in specialties not currently covered, the Core Services Membership offers access to essential educational resources like Scholarly Activities, Faculty Development, and Core Resident programs. This option is ideal for institutions looking to benefit from GMEA's core offerings without committing to a more comprehensive curriculum.

For programs that cannot attend in-person events, the Virtual Services Membership provides flexible access to all GMEA Core Service offerings and most other Core membership benefits. This level is well-suited for residency programs across the U.S. that seek virtual support and resources.

Additionally, for those interested in professional development without full membership, GMEA offers Non-Member Subscription Options. These include access to GMEA Core Service offerings and recordings, AMA membership, and a Clinical Faculty appointment with the University for individual subscribers. Residency programs may also secure potential MSU affiliation (with agreement) and receive discounts on MSUCOM CME programs.
 

Prospective member institutions must complete a Member Pledge Form specifying the number of residents and faculty by specialty. Upon receipt of this form, GMEA will provide a Membership Agreement outlining the fees, terms, and conditions. While non-member subscription holders are not considered voting members, they are encouraged to uphold the values outlined in Section 1.

As a GMEA Member, each institution will:

• Abide by the bylaws, uphold the policies, and adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the GMEA Membership Agreement;
• Pay fees as outlined in the GMEA Membership Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the GMEA Membership Agreement;
• Notify GMEA of any substantial change that impacts membership participation or postdoctoral training.

GMEA Membership may be terminated by: 

• Resignation pursuant to the terms and conditions outlined in the GMEA Membership Agreement.

• The GMEA Membership will meet once a year, time, and place to be determined.

• Approve the Advisory Board Members.
• Review annual allocations for GMEA educational activities
• Review annual GMEA activities including Scholarly Activity, Faculty and Professional Development, and Resident Education.

The GMEA Advisory Board is comprised of medical education experts elected from GMEA Member programs. These GME professionals provide strategic guidance with a focus on innovation and collaboration to drive the GMEA vision.  

The GMEA Advisory Board shall be composed of eleven (11) voting members, including the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary (currently filled via GMEA clerical support). No member organization, other than MSUCOM may have more than one voting member on the Advisory Board. An exception may be permitted if no other viable candidate from member institutions can be identified. The optimal composition of the GMEA Advisory Board is:

• MSUCOM Dean and Assistant/Associate Dean (GMEA Leadership - non-voting)
• Three (3) Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs), Directors of Medical Education (DMEs), or Associate DIOs
• Four (4) Program Directors, representing different programs and institutions.
• Two (2) representatives recommended by MSUCOM Leadership
   

Terms of office for the Advisory Board are two years.    

The Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and remaining members-at-large will be elected by the GMEA Members via an electronic ballot system following the GMEA Membership meeting. A call for nominations will be sent in early fall.  All Advisory Board members shall hold office for two years and may succeed for an additional year pursuant to the Advisory Board election process.

The Chair shall preside at all GMEA Advisory Board and GMEA Member meetings and carry out other actions necessary to the performance of the duties of this office. The Chair has one vote at GMEA Advisory Board and Membership meetings. The Chair shall be given notice of all GMEA committee meetings and shall have the right to attend such meetings and speak.

The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair during the absence of the Chair and such other duties as assigned by the Chair.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall succeed in the vacant office for the unexpired term. The office of Vice-Chair vacancy shall be filled by the GMEA Advisory Board, and any officer appointed shall hold office at the pleasure of the GMEA Members until the Membership Meeting. In the event of a member-at-large mid-term vacancy, the GMEA Advisory Board Chair, in consultation with the MSUCOM Assistant/Associate Dean, shall have authority to appoint an interim to fill the vacancy until the next scheduled election. Members appointed outside of scheduled elections due to an unexpected vacant position may serve for the unexpired term of the vacating Member. Any interim role should be filled by a member in good standing of the Graduate Medical Education Alliance.

The Advisory Board shall serve in an advisory capacity for all GMEA governance activities regarding participating 'Members' and non-member 'fee for service' graduate medical education programs. Regarding pre-doctoral issues, the Advisory Board may be called upon to serve in an advisory capacity by MSUCOM. The Advisory Board's responsibilities and powers are:

• To ensure appropriate mechanisms and standards are in place to guide the development of graduate medical education programs and to support them;
• When appropriate, to participate with MSUCOM in selecting and evaluating GMEA leadership;
• To advise and counsel the GMEA Dean and Associate/Assistant Dean in developing policies to sustain general academic activities across the system;
• To advise on appropriate mechanisms to keep GMEA Members informed of the activities of GMEA on a regular basis.

Meetings will be held quarterly.

If an Advisory Board member is unable to participate in a Board meeting, that Member will communicate to the Chair and Secretary. Any Advisory Board member who is absent from three successive Board meetings or fails to participate in good faith shall be deemed to have resigned due to non-participation, and his/her position shall be declared vacant, unless the Board affirmatively votes to retain that individual as a member of the Board with probationary provisions. Probational provisions include the Advisory Board Member's renewed commitment to the attendance of Advisory Board meetings and/or associated committees in accordance with roles and responsibilities outlined in the Bylaws.
A quorum of the Board may vote out a member of the Board if that officer does not fulfill his or her responsibilities, leaving the position vacant. Vacancy provisions are outlined in Article VIII.

• To advise GMEA graduate medical education programs accredited by ACGME in meeting the requirements of osteopathic recognition.
• To advise on educational activities that will enhance faculty competence in the teaching of OMM.
• To assess the integration of Osteopathic Principles and Practices across the continuum of medical education. 

Meetings are held Quarterly

Members: A Minimum of Eight Voting Members Including:

• One (1) GME Coordinator
• Two (2) DIOs, ADIOs, or DMEs
• One (1) Program Director
• One (1) GMEA Director of Faculty Development
• One (1) COM Faculty
• One (1) Clerkship Administrator
• One (1) Pre-Clerkship Administrator
   

• To perform a regular needs assessment across the continuum of medical education to inform the development of educational programs to equip faculty, medical education professionals, and residents.
• To monitor educational trends, external challenges confronting medical education, and accreditation requirements for educational programs.
• To assess educational program effectiveness and provide regular reports to the Educational Committee

Meetings are held at least twice per year

The Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University is the Chief Executive Officer for the Graduate Medical Education Alliance. The Dean's authority for the Graduate Medical Education Alliance derives from the Bylaws and policies of MSUCOM and the Bylaws and policies established through the GMEA. 
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• To establish an organizational plan for operating GMEA
• To work in counsel with the GMEA Assistant/Associate Dean and the Advisory Board and GMEA Members to implement general policies
• To maintain and enhance medical education activities across the system
• To develop organizational structure
• To maintain ongoing communication
• To develop appropriate reporting mechanisms
• To ensure ongoing financial reporting, including financial and budget details
• To represent the organization to external constituents
• To provide direction for planning and development

The Assistant/Associate Dean for the Graduate Medical Education Alliance will be appointed by a joint decision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Advisory Board. The Assistant/Associate Dean will report to the Chief Executive Officer and will be evaluated annually by the Chief Executive Officer with feedback from the Advisory Board as outlined in the Bylaws. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• To attend and participate in meetings of the GMEA Advisory Board, and other committees as assigned.
• To create strategic plans for program development to meet member needs.
• To participate in the development of quality assurance and evaluation systems.
• To direct strategic planning initiatives for GMEA.
• To propose academic policies that enhance the quality of educational services of GMEA.
• To monitor the quality of educational programs within GMEA.
• To promote the continuum of medical education within the GMEA consortium.
• To provide educational consultation for GMEA Members.
• To review program proposals and make recommendations to the CEO.
• To evaluate the quality of GMEA educational programs and personnel and make recommendations for improvements.
• To develop and implement measures to assess the competency of GMEA residents and fellows participating in the educational programs.
• To recommend educational policies to the GMEA Advisory Board and GMEA Membership.
• To develop plans for shared resources, educational programs, and strategic innovation across GMEA specialties.

Meetings of all GMEA Committees may be called by the Chair of the GMEA Members, the Chair of the Committee, or by request in writing of any three (3) members of the Committee. A notice giving the time and place of the meeting shall be given to each Member of the Committee at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. GMEA Membership meetings require fifteen (15) days prior notice. Written notice is effective upon mailing. Meetings shall follow Robert's Rules of Order.

One-half of the committee members plus one Member shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the affirmative vote of a majority of voting members present shall be necessary for the approval of any action unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

These Bylaws may be amended by the GMEA Advisory Board Committee upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds majority of board members. Written notice of the meeting or electronic vote and the proposed amendment shall be provided at least fifteen (15) days prior to the vote.

Last Amended 05/21/2025