Built for DIOs & GME Offices
GME Consulting for DIOs & Institutional GME Offices
"The DIO role carries institutional-level accountability. The support available rarely matches the scope of that responsibility."
Designated Institutional Officials carry accountability for every ACGME-accredited program at their institution — regardless of how many programs that is, how much protected time they have, or how well-resourced their GME office is. Axis Academic Consulting provides DIOs and institutional GME offices with strategic advisory support, operational assessments, and expert guidance on the complex institutional decisions that shape a health system's entire GME enterprise.
What we hear from dios & gme offices
"One program's problems become the whole institution's problem"
When a single program receives a citation or adverse action, the ripple effects touch the entire institution — CLER visit triggers, GMEC scrutiny, and reputational risk that extends well beyond the program in question. DIOs need early warning systems and rapid response capability.
"Medicare GME funding is more complex than it appears"
DGME and IME payments are significant revenue streams — but maximizing them requires understanding cap management, FTE tracking, cost report positioning, and the interplay between resident complement and hospital teaching status. Most health systems leave money on the table.
"New program development is resource-intensive and high-risk"
Launching a new residency or fellowship program requires years of preparation, significant institutional investment, and careful navigation of ACGME requirements. Mistakes at the application stage can delay accreditation by years.
"The GME office is under-resourced for its scope of responsibility"
Most institutional GME offices are staffed for the routine — not for the complex accreditation challenges, leadership transitions, or strategic decisions that arise unpredictably. An external advisor fills the gap without requiring a permanent hire.
How Axis Academic Consulting helps
Strategy & Advisory
A monthly advisory relationship giving DIOs direct access to director-level GME expertise — for Medicare funding strategy, program growth, governance decisions, and rapid-response support.
New Program Development
End-to-end support launching new residency and fellowship programs — from feasibility assessment through initial accreditation site visit.
Interim GME Leadership
Director-level coverage during leadership transitions, vacancies, or high-demand periods — protecting accreditation continuity while permanent solutions are pursued.
ACGME Compliance Consulting
Institutional-level compliance support — CLER preparation, cross-program gap analysis, and rapid response to citations or adverse accreditation actions.
"DIOs who work with Ashley describe the advisory relationship as having a trusted colleague with deep GME expertise available when they need it — someone who understands the institutional complexity of the DIO role and can engage at the strategic level, not just the operational one."
— Ashley Wood, PhD, on working with dios & gme offices
Frequently asked questions
Can you support multiple programs simultaneously?
Yes. Many advisory engagements involve DIOs managing multiple programs simultaneously. Ashley provides institutional-level perspective that applies across programs while addressing program-specific issues as they arise.
How can you help with Medicare DGME and IME funding?
Ashley works with health system finance and GME leadership to assess current funding positions, identify optimization opportunities in cap management and FTE tracking, and prepare for cost report positions. Most health systems she works with identify meaningful revenue opportunities they weren't capturing.
We're preparing for a CLER visit. How can you help?
CLER preparation requires institutional-level assessment across the six focus areas — patient safety, quality improvement, care transitions, supervision, fatigue management, and professionalism. Ashley conducts structured assessments and helps institutions build the systems and culture CLER evaluates.
What does the monthly advisory retainer actually look like?
Typically a standing monthly call structured around your current priorities, with asynchronous support via email between calls. As Ashley builds context on your institution, the advisory relationship compounds in value — she becomes a trusted resource who understands your programs, your history, and your strategic goals.
Start with a free call
30 minutes. No pitch. Just a real conversation about what your program is working through.
Book a Free CallReady to talk about your program?
Ashley works directly with DIOs & GME Offices across the country. Start with a free 30-minute call.
Schedule a Free Call