Elections: APDIM Program Administrators

Candidates

Chair-Elect

JoVonnda Chresfield, MBA

Reaching my five-year milestone within graduate medical education, I have consistently championed professional development, operational excellence, and the elevation of program administrators' voices. As a GME Program Manager at Florida International University in partnership with Baptist Health, I oversee operations of our Internal Medicine residency program with 30 trainees. Recently, I successfully navigated our program through a major organizational transition while maintaining continued accreditation, expanding staff, and sustaining consistent engagement, which is a testament to strategic leadership and collaborative problem-solving.

Since joining AAIM in 2021 and elevating to Program Administrator Advisory Councilor in 2023, I have been deeply invested in creating tangible resources that address our field's evolving needs. I've participated in cross-collaborative workgroups, contributing to the digitized individualized learning plan integration for UME to GME transition while continuing work on the GME to GME transition version. Through the Professional Development and Certification Committee, I've rediscovered the educator inside of me, delivering presentations ranging from scholarly activity to change management which reflects my commitment to easing administrative burden while strengthening our professional capabilities. My work with the AAIM Research Committee allowed me to collaborate across institutions to amplify research opportunities in medical education.

My passion for professional development extends beyond national service. I established the GME Administrative Excellence Academy at my institution, creating structured pathways for staff growth around core competencies and process improvement. I also created the inaugural mentorship program for trainees within the institution, successfully pairing trainees and faculty for career focused collaboration. I took a chance on myself and am now appointed as Co-Chair of the National Society of Academic Medical Administrators (NSAMA) Education Committee, where I collaborate with medical administrators across the continuum, from UME to CME, developing educational programming that strengthens our collective capabilities.

As a graduate degree candidate, I am continually pursuing opportunities that contribute to both GME and the administrative spaces, ensuring my commitment to lifelong learning directly enhances the work I do for our community.

As I seek the Chair-Elect position following my tenure as Advisory Councilor, my vision is to continue fostering a more integrated, innovative, and inclusive environment. I aim to leverage my background and experiences to amplify the voices of all program administrators, ensuring that our council reflects the diversity of thought, experience, and background that characterizes our community. I am committed to advocating for all that advances the professional growth of our members while resonating with the varied institutional, programmatic, and educational backgrounds we represent.

Embracing my role on the PA Council has been a leap of faith towards collaborative growth and innovation. This dedication has accelerated my personal and professional development while fostering meaningful connections among those working to promote the alliance's strategic objectives. Each accomplishment has affirmed the power of ambition and teamwork, fueling my drive to continue advocating and contributing to the dynamic evolution of administrators and the broader community we serve.

I would be honored to serve as your Chair-Elect, working collaboratively to strengthen our profession and advance our collective impact on medical education.

Councilor

Jessica Carreira, MBA, C-TAGME

My career in medical education has taught me one thing above all else: it’s all about the people. It’s about our trainees trying to find their way, our faculty trying to do their best, and colleagues like you and me who are trying to hold it all together. That’s the perspective I want to bring to the APDIM PA Advisory Council—a focus on the human side of our work.

I say I’ve been fortunate to see this work from different angles because my journey has given me a 360-degree view of medical education. My path began as a medical student coordinator and grew into roles as a program coordinator. Now, I serve as a supervisor for the Department of Medicine, overseeing the residency program and its fellowship programs. My experience isn’t limited to one area of medicine; it cuts across the entire spectrum—from navigating the distinct accreditation needs of Dental (CODA) and Podiatry (CPME), to supporting the fast-paced world of vascular surgery. This journey has taught me that while our specialties may speak different languages, the core challenges of administration, wellness, and compliance are universal.

But my most valuable insights don’t come from an office; they come from the operating room. As a part-time Surgical Technology Instructor, I stand shoulder to shoulder with students during their first real cases. I see how the learning environment shifts under pressure, and I’m reminded that our work has a direct impact on patient safety. This on-the-ground reality is what drives me to find solutions that are not only efficient but, more importantly, compassionate and grounded in what our learners actually experience.

This brings me to my primary goal for the council: to advocate fiercely for us—the program administrators who are the backbone of every successful training program. I will push for our roles to be recognized not as administrative support, but as the integral leadership they are: strategic partners essential to programmatic success. This means advocating for more resources, yes, but it also means fighting for our seat at the table where key decisions are made.

Crucially, this advocacy must extend to our own well-being. We are the shock absorbers of our programs, the keepers of institutional knowledge, and the first call in a crisis. Too often, our own wellness is an afterthought. I want to champion initiatives focused on our resilience—creating peer support networks, sharing practical strategies to prevent burnout, and ensuring the council is a leading voice on why investing in our well-being is critical to the health of our entire educational system.

At the end of the day, I’m someone who gets this job from all sides. I’ve seen the view from the leadership meeting, and I’ve seen it from a student’s perspective in the OR. I would be honored to bring that comprehensive view to the table and serve as a passionate voice for all of us on the council.

Councilor

Janice Gleisner, MBA, C-TAGME

I believe strong programs are built by program administrators who feel supported, prepared, and empowered to lead. I am seeking election to the Alliance Council APDIM PA Advisory Council because I believe mentorship and professional development are among the most powerful tools we have to strengthen graduate medical education and to help program administrators thrive in their roles and grow into future leaders.

I currently serve as the Senior Program Manager for the Virginia Tech Carilion Internal Medicine Residency Program, where I partner closely with program leadership, faculty, residents, and institutional stakeholders to support high-quality graduate medical education. My responsibilities include program operations, accreditation and compliance, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement. In February 2026, I was honored to receive the ACGME Debra L. Dooley GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award, recognizing leadership, advocacy, and excellence in GME administration. This experience reinforces my belief that empowered administrators are essential to sustainable, high-performing programs.

Mentorship and leadership development have been central to my service within the Alliance. As a member of the APDIM Professional Development Committee, speaking at annual meetings regarding the benefits of professional and personal growth when obtaining TAGME certification, and as Course Director for AAIM’s Foundations of Academic Internal Medicine for Education Administrators for the past two years, I have worked closely with administrators from diverse institutional types and career stages. Through these roles, I have had the pleasure of witnessing administrators gain confidence in their professional identity, build practical leadership skills, and move into expanded responsibilities, committee leadership, and institutional roles. Participants frequently describe feeling more prepared to advocate for their programs, pursue advancement opportunities, and engage more actively within the Alliance.

As an Alliance mentor and Ambassador, I have supported individuals navigating transitions into new roles, accreditation challenges, and leadership opportunities. Many of these mentoring relationships have resulted in increased Alliance engagement, participation in committees and working groups, and a clearer pathway toward leadership within their institutions and professional organizations. My service on the Virginia Regional Coordinators Annual Meeting Planning Committee further extends this impact by creating spaces for connection, shared learning, and peer mentorship at the regional level.

My vision for the Council is to strengthen mentorship outcomes and leadership pipelines by expanding access to professional development, supporting administrators across career stages, and ensuring that administrative perspectives are fully integrated into strategic decisions institutionally and nationally. When program administrators are empowered to succeed, programs are stronger, teams are more resilient, and trainees, programs, and organizations benefit.

I bring a perspective shaped by my role as a senior education administrator within an academic medical center and by sustained engagement with Alliance members across roles, regions, and backgrounds. If elected, I will serve with integrity, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to advancing mentorship, leadership development, and member success in alignment with Alliance strategic priorities.

Councilor

Stephanie Pennington

I am honored to be considered for the opportunity to serve within the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine. Over the past four years in internal medicine, I have devoted my work to strengthening education, supporting trainees, and improving the structures that allow our programs to thrive. My experiences have shown me how essential AAIM is in shaping the future of academic internal medicine, and I am committed to representing our community with transparency, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of collaboration.

I have worked closely with colleagues from a wide range of program types and institutional structures, which has strengthened my understanding of the challenges we all face—whether related to recruitment, curriculum design, workforce sustainability, or faculty development. In addition, my active involvement in the PSTP community has further informed my approach to leadership. I have helped facilitate a peer group for PSTP administrators, creating a space for shared learning, troubleshooting, and exploration of best practices. This work reinforced my belief that when we build strong networks and empower one another, our programs and our trainees benefit.

One of my goals with being on the PA Advisory Council, is to advocate for the professional recognition of Program Administrators while helping to establish and share best practices that strengthen our work across institutions. A particular area of focus for me is the Physician—Scientist Training Program (PSTP). As this program continues to evolve, there is a growing need for clearer, more consistent communication between core internal medicine programs and subspecialty fellowships. Strengthening these connections can improve trainee experiences, streamline transitions, and ensure alignment of expectations and resources across training continuum.

Through the PAAC, I aim to amplify the voices of PAs, promote collaboration and contribute to solutions that support both program leadership and trainees nationwide.

Councilor

Amanda (Mandi) Smith

Early in my 21-year tenure at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, I discovered a passion for GME that has guided my professional journey. Since 2014, I have served as Cardiology Fellowship Coordinator within the Heart & Vascular Institute, managing three ACGME-accredited programs (with a fourth in development) and coordinating cardiology rotations for internal medicine residents, visiting trainees, and medical students.

My commitment extends beyond program administration to professional development for program administrators. I co-founded our GME Coordinator Lunch & Learn series, which evolved into a formal Planning Committee, and have led multiple institutional initiatives, including curriculum design for coordinator education on Microsoft 365, Thalamus, and ACGME program requirements. I have served on numerous institutional committees, such as the GME Coordinator’s Handbook Committee, Career Ladder and Milestones Project, and Strategic Planning Committee, and have mentored new coordinators since 2020.

Nationally, I have presented multiple times at the American College of Cardiology coordinator sessions, AIMW25, and served as a table moderator at the ACGME Annual Conference in 2019. I held leadership roles with Fellowship Administrators in Cardiology Education and Training (FACET), including Chair, and was previously nominated for the ACGME Program Coordinator Excellence Award.

In 2023, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management with a 3.96 GPA. With my degree behind me and my last national leadership role ending in 2021, I’m excited to dive back into something meaningful at the national level. Joining the APDIM PA Advisory Council feels like a perfect opportunity, where I can bring my perspective from an internal medicine subspecialty fellowship in an academic medical center, and contribute to shaping the future of GME.

• Chair-Elect (Chresfield)
• Councilor (Carreira)
• Councilor (Glesiner)
• Councilor (Pennington)
• Councilor (Smith)