Kimberly Moorehead Receives the 2026 GME Program Administrator Excellence Award

We are delighted to announce that Kimberly Moorehead, C-TAGME, is the recipient of the 2025/2026 Program Administrator Excellence Award, in recognition of her exceptional operational excellence, institutional service, and national engagement in Graduate Medical Education.

As the Associate Education Manager and Program Administrator for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency programs, Kimberly expertly manages the complex demands of multiple training tracks. She has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for operational leadership, successfully steering her programs through two rigorous ACGME site visits and a GME special review in less than a year. Furthermore, she rebuilt the program’s interview logistics from the ground up to seamlessly transition back to in-person candidate interviews. Her meticulous preparation and process optimizations have significantly increased administrative efficiency and strengthened institutional credibility.

Kimberly is widely recognized for her empathetic, approachable, and dependable leadership style. She creates a profound sense of psychological safety for trainees, frequently dedicating her personal time to mentor interns, support resident wellness, and advocate for their education. Her nominators and residents consistently describe her as a composed, trusted, and vital anchor who fosters a culture of transparency, accountability, and quiet leadership.

On an institutional and national level, Kimberly has established herself as a standout leader and collaborator. Within the University of Minnesota, she oversees and coaches a team of three program administrators, actively contributing to shared problem-solving and administrative synergy across the Surgical Education office. 

Beyond the University, she represents her institution with distinction by engaging with specialty professional associations and attending national ACGME conferences to bring best practices back to her home programs. Her dedication to the profession is further exemplified by earning her formal TAGME certification in 2025.

Kimberly’s lasting contributions have not only optimized the operational infrastructure of her department but have also elevated the humanity, warmth, and integrity of the educational environment. She is a truly deserving recipient of this year’s Program Administrator Excellence Award, and we are proud to celebrate her achievements.

Congratulations, Kimberly, and thank you for your extraordinary work!