The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) has selected Colleen Roche, MD, to serve as the associate dean for graduate medical education (GME). In this role, Roche provides oversight and leadership in the delivery of high-quality specialty training for GW SMHS residents and fellows and its affiliated partner institutions.
“A highly respected clinician and educator, Dr. Roche brings a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to this important position,” said Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, vice president for health affairs, dean of GW SMHS, Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine, and professor of surgery. “Her leadership as the residency director for emergency medicine – one of the largest residency training programs at GW – combined with her clinical expertise and her commitment to medical education and research will help her shape our GME program for the future. In addition, Dr. Roche is an effective and thoughtful champion for resident well-being – with clear goals to advance our wellness mission in support of our trainees.”
Key among Roche’s new responsibilities, she serves as the Designated Institutional Official (DIO) with responsibility for maintaining GW’s accreditation as a sponsoring entity for graduate medical education programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). As chair of the GME committee, she works with program directors and GME-affiliated staff to optimize the performance of GW’s 45 residency and fellowship programs. In this role, Roche reports to Senior Associate Dean for MD Programs Richard Simons, MD.
“I’m delighted that Dr. Roche will be leading our Office of Graduate Medical Education,” said Simons. “She has been an exceptional mentor to hundreds of residents, students, and colleagues over her years at GW, and she is a recognized GME leader in our institution.”
Roche’s career is marked by her dedication to advancing emergency medicine education, improving residency training, and supporting physician development. Roche is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has been recognized as a Teaching Fellow by the American College of Emergency Medicine. She has held multiple leadership roles in medical education, including service as Program Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at GW since 2012, a program that has one of the best accreditation records at GW. Her experiences also include resident recruitment, ACGME accreditation, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship. Roche’s efforts have earned her several awards, including multiple Longevity Awards from the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine.
In addition to her role as program director, Roche serves as an associate professor of emergency medicine at GW SMHS. She contributed to the development of educational programs and curricula, and her teaching extends to a variety of areas, including clinical skills, EKG interpretation, and emergency medicine simulation. Roche has published research on emergency medicine education and practices and she has been involved in national presentations and conferences.
“The key to my longevity at GW is the people I get to work with. I am thrilled to partner with the GME team and colleagues across the institution in support of our talented residents and fellows,” said Roche. “We train more than 470 residents and fellows at GW, and I have the great privilege of serving our patients by working alongside this dedicated group of physicians. Together, I know that we will provide world-class care while simultaneously supporting the education, training and professional development needs of our resident community.”
“The GME staff extends a warm welcome to Dr. Roche as our new GME Associate Dean,” said Mary Tucker, MA, director of Graduate Medical Education. “I know she cares deeply about our residents and fellows and will continue to serve as a great mentor, advocate, and resource.”
Roche earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Rutgers University and her MD degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She received her residency training in emergency medicine from Brown University.
Roche assumed the role of associate dean for graduate medical education on Sept. 1, 2024.
