ACGME-I Honoring Excellence: Q and A with Fritz Verly Vernet, MD
This interview is one in a series of interviews with recipients of the 2025 ACGME International Awards. The awardees join an outstanding group of current and previous honorees whose work and contributions to graduate medical education (GME) around the world represent the best in the field. They will be honored at the 2025 ACGME Annual Educational Conference, taking place 20-22 February 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, US.
2025 ACGME International Physician Educator Awardee Fritz Verly Vernet, MD, is the medical education director at Zanmi Lasante and program director of the internal medicine residency program at Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais (HUM) in Haiti. ACGME-I spoke with Dr. Vernet about his career and what receiving this award means to him.
ACGME-I: How did you become involved in medicine, and in academic medicine specifically?
Dr. Vernet: Medicine was not an instant calling for me; it was not love at first sight. My journey was initially shaped by my parents, who often said, “You’ll make a great doctor.” At the time, I went along with it mostly to please them. But everything changed when I started working with patients. Witnessing the profound impact of easing someone’s pain, offering guidance, and seeing the gratitude in their smiles transformed medicine into my true passion. It was in those moments that I realized the immense privilege and responsibility of being a physician.
From a young age, I was also drawn to education. In high school, I developed a love for teaching while helping others learn to read. This passion grew during residency, where I embraced opportunities to mentor and teach medical students, eventually serving as chief resident. It was during these experiences that I discovered my true calling: to help educate and train the next generation of skilled, compassionate physicians. For me, it became more than individual patient care; it became about strengthening the health care system as a whole, particularly in Haiti.
I believe knowledge is meant to be shared. Not sharing it is like having a flashlight in the dark but choosing to leave it off. Knowledge has the power to transform lives, and in health care, it is the foundation of meaningful change. In Haiti, where resources are often limited and specialists are scarce, the need for well-educated and -trained health care practitioners is critical. Developing empathetic, skilled doctors isn’t just a goal, it is a responsibility to the communities we serve.
After completing my residency, I remained at HUM, where I took on roles as a core faculty member, associate program director, and eventually program director. These roles allowed me to integrate my passions for medicine and teaching, building a career dedicated to shaping the future of health care in Haiti. This work is not just my job; it is my mission, and I feel deeply privileged to be part of it.
ACGME-I: What does this award mean to you?
Dr. Vernet: This award is deeply meaningful to me, not just as a personal achievement but as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose. It reflects the enduring legacy of [American medical anthropologist and physician] Paul Farmer’s vision, as well as the dedication of my colleagues, mentors, residents, and partners who have inspired and supported me throughout this journey.
To me, this award is not mine alone; it belongs to everyone who has worked to advance medical education in Haiti. It sends a powerful message: that even with limited resources, excellence is possible. It reminds us that quality medical education transcends borders and can thrive anywhere, as long as there is commitment, resilience, and a shared vision.
This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue this work and to invest in the future of medical education and relentlessly pursue ways to improve its quality. It is a reminder that the ripple effects of our efforts will be felt far beyond the present, shaping lives and communities for generations to come. For that, I am profoundly humbled and inspired.
ACGME-I: As this award reflects the contributions you’ve made to graduate medical education (GME) in Haiti, what would you consider to be the most challenging aspect of your role?
Dr. Vernet: The greatest challenge has been driving change. At HUM, we have taken a different approach to GME: one that prioritizes innovation and compassion. Change is never easy, and in Haiti, it is made even harder by resource limitations and a complex health care landscape. But it is within these constraints that creativity and determination shine.
Our mission has always been to educate and train specialists who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but also empathetic, humane, and committed to serving the most vulnerable. Achieving this requires persistence, adaptability, and a unified vision.
While the obstacles can be daunting, the transformation we see in our residents and the care they provide makes it all worthwhile. It is not just about developing competent physicians; it is about building a future where quality health care and compassionate professionals become the standard. This challenge, though immense, is deeply rewarding because it serves a purpose far greater than ourselves: creating a health care system that uplifts and honors humanity.
ACGME-I: In your view, how has the overall strengthening of GME, especially through international accreditation, benefited Haiti’s medical education and health care systems?
Dr. Vernet: Strengthening GME in Haiti has been a critical step forward. The path to international accreditation has helped us enhance and standardize the education and training of our residents, ensuring they develop the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.
Our focus goes beyond clinical skills; we aim to cultivate leadership qualities in our residents so they can replicate what they have learned and serve as role models in their communities. Many of our graduates work in rural areas, where health care needs are greatest. By serving their communities, they not only provide essential care but also contribute to the overall development and well-being of these populations.
The ripple effects are clear: better-educated and -trained physicians lead to stronger communities, healthier families, and a higher quality of life. International accreditation has reinforced this mission, elevating the standards of medical education in Haiti and paving the way for a more resilient health care system.
ACGME-I: Haiti and HUM have faced immense, unique challenges yet your institution has strengthened its GME. What are your goals for medical education in Haiti?
Dr. Vernet: The socio-political instability in Haiti has presented immense challenges for health care and education. Despite this, we have remained committed to our mission: providing quality health care to underserved populations and educating and training the next generation of physicians.
My goals for medical education in Haiti include:
- Developing standardized, locally relevant curricula that address the primary health concerns of the populations we serve.
- Promoting postgraduate retention in rural areas, where health care access is limited and specialists are scarce.
- Organizing national forums to foster collaboration among residency programs, share experiences, and tackle common challenges.
- Expanding the use of technology in medical education, such as virtual learning platforms, simulation tools, and online resources. These innovations can enhance education and training, ensure continuity of learning, and help overcome resource limitations.
- Strengthening leadership training across all residency programs to empower physicians to improve and reshape Haiti’s health care system.
I envision a resilient, sustainable medical education system in Haiti: one that prioritizes equity, quality, and compassion. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and perseverance, I believe we can build a brighter future for health care in Haiti and beyond.