The Office of Graduate Medical Education at UNC Hospitals announced that Ty Fraga, PhD, was named the first annual Melainie Bolick Program Coordinator of the Year. Fraga began in her current role at UNC as the program coordinator for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program in 2018 and has decades of experience in graduate medical education.
In her nomination of Fraga, Program Director for the OBGYN Residency Program Jessica Morse MD, MPH, said, “Ty’s most outstanding characteristic can only be described as selfless dedication. Ty is dedicated to doing a job well, to making sure people feel seen and heard, and to always doing the right thing. She helps guide so much of our educational innovation, far beyond the day-to-day logistics of our program. She shares these skills outside of our department as well, as an active member of GME committees at UNC. She also guides multiple more junior Program Coordinators through the national PC listserv, serving as a source of ideas, innovation, and general guidance.”
Current OB/GYN residents describe Fraga as “one of our largest supporters professionally and personally” and “a true friend and ally for when things in residency are particularly tough, either with coresidents or other faculty.” Another trainee said, “Ty Fraga is the glue that holds our residency together. She is a fierce advocate and friend. She makes residents feel safe and welcome as they transition into a new and at times overwhelming role. I am so grateful for Ty and all of the unwavering support that she gives to residents. UNC is lucky to have her.”
The UNC Hospitals Melainie Bolick Program Coordinator Award was created in honor of former Surgical Fellowship Coordinator Melainie Bolick, who passed away in August 2022. Bolick served the GME community as both a program coordinator and a GME office staff member over the course of her career. Her contributions to GME were numerous, and she positively impacted the lives and careers of both trainees and peer administrative staff. While she is dearly missed, her contributions to the GME community will be felt for years to come. This award seeks to honor the grace and positivity that Bolick brought to her work as a program coordinator by recognizing similar achievement of other program coordinators at UNC Hospitals.