Every accredited APP postgraduate training program has a story to tell, of growth, innovation, and impact. But for those who serve as accreditation site visitors, these stories come alive in ways that influence not just their understanding of standards, but also their own program practices. Two of the Consortium’s site visitors, Brendan McDonald, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, University of Washington Advanced Practice Psychiatric Provider Fellowship Program, and Garrett Matlick, DNP, MPH, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Community Health Center, Inc.’s Nurse Practitioner Residency Training Program, recently shared their experiences stepping into the accreditation site visitor role and what they have taken away from observing and supporting programs across the country.
A Front-Row Seat to Innovation and Impact
For Brendan, the journey began at the 2023 Consortium Conference, just as he was launching the University of Washington’s PMHNP postgraduate program. Newly immersed in the program director role, Brendan was drawn to the opportunity to “see how other people built and ran their own programs” and to “contribute to the growth of APP postgraduate training.”
His biggest surprise? The speed and intensity of the accreditation process. “You hear it’s a whirlwind, but you have to experience it,” he said. “To my surprise, the intensity gave me the focus to really dive into the material.” What stood out most were the creative ways programs interpret and implement the accreditation standards—reminding him that excellence does not look the same everywhere. “I left feeling inspired,” Brendan said. “My view of program quality and opportunity has evolved, and I’m even more motivated to improve our own program.”
Lessons from the Field: Objectivity and Community
Garrett’s path started with his firsthand experience as a postgraduate trainee at the Community Health Center, Inc. in Connecticut. The intense, two-day accreditation site visitor training helped him expand beyond his clinical lens and into the world of administration and operations. “That first accreditation site visit, when I served as an observer helped me understand how to be truly objective; judging against the accreditation standards, not my own experience,” he reflected. Now as a clinical program director at the Community Health Center, Inc., Garrett has completed ten accreditation site visits and values the diversity he sees. “There’s no one right way to build a program,” he said. “But having standards ensures every trainee has a solid foundation.”
Garrett emphasized that the most rewarding part of being a site visitor is the community. “Everyone wants to see each other succeed,” he noted. “Years ago, trainees had to travel far for programs. Now, local pipelines are being built. I have seen 100% retention in new programs where graduates stay in their communities. That’s powerful.”
Advice to Future Site Visitors
Both Brendan and Garrett agree: preparation is key. Garrett treats each visit like a patient encounter, reading self-studies thoroughly, making margin notes, and drafting his portions of the report ahead of time. “Preparation makes for a smoother process—not just for the site visitors, but for the programs themselves.”
Brendan emphasized the value of approaching the experience with humility and curiosity. “Come in with an open mind,” he advised. “Read the self-study in advance, jot down your questions, and lean on your fellow site visitors for guidance.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you are new to APP postgraduate training or a seasoned program director, the reflections of Brendan and Garrett remind us that this work is more than checking boxes, it is about collective growth, shared learning, and a deep commitment to excellence in APP postgraduate training. As Brendan summed it up: “It’s inspiring to be around people with a similar mission.”
If you are considering becoming an accreditation site visitor, now might be the perfect time to take the leap.
