In today's globally networked world, nurturing international communication, collaboration, and engagement is critical to our health care mission. The American College of Physicians (ACP) is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, recognizing the indispensable role of internal medicine physicians in this global endeavor. Our Global Engagement Committee (GEC) is a diverse assembly of internal medicine physicians and staff from around the world. This committee offers a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions. As medical challenges know no borders, the dedication of our GEC members toward global engagement is genuinely commendable. Their consistent efforts enhance mutual understanding and cultural exchange and catalyze advancements in research and technology. This approach equips us to address complex health issues effectively and promotes global collaboration. ACP's steadfast commitment to inclusivity, equity, patient-centric care, and systems that foster professional fulfillment and well-being are paramount in building bridges of understanding among diverse cultures and nations.
GEC featured members
A. Muruganathan, MD, MACP
Dr. A. Muruganathan embodies a lifelong commitment to health care, education, and philanthropy. His journey commenced in 1981 with the establishment of the Exclusive Hypertension Clinic, marking the beginning of a mission to raise awareness and manage hypertension complications.
A pioneer of Mobile Trauma Care, Dr. Muruganathan donated 43 ambulances to Rotary Trauma Care centers, exemplifying proactive care and making a tangible impact on trauma victims. His efforts extended globally through 1500 clinical presentations, 900 camps, and partnerships with NGOs, inspiring physicians to prioritize hypertension. Distributing 11,000 Home Blood Pressure Monitors showcased his visionary foresight in preventive care.
Dr. Muruganathan played a pivotal role in organizing ASIA ACPCON and other international academic meetings involving physicians all over the world, disseminating various protocols across borders. As a trustee for IDHAYANGAL CHARITABLE TRUST, he supported over 1000 underprivileged Type-1 diabetic children, showcasing his philanthropic endeavors. As chairman of the Rotary Public Welfare Trust, he spearheaded a 90-crore cancer care center for Tiruppur medical college.
During crises like the Chennai deluge and the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Muruganathan's unwavering spirit shone through. He organized blood donation camps and harnessed telemedicine for hypertension management and vaccination. His compassion extended to vulnerable populations, providing essential sustenance and distributing 40 life-saving Oxygen Concentrators.
Dr. Muruganathan's achievements are marked by prestigious awards, including the Dr. B C Roy Award, Dr. Jivraj Mehta Gold Medal, Bheesmar Award, BEST DOCTOR 2014, and the WHL Excellence Award in Population Hypertension Prevention and Control. He holds esteemed positions such as international advisor for Royal College of Physicians Glasgow, Advisory Council member of National Board of Examination, and Chief Editor of Medibeats. His leadership roles include President of the Hypertension Society of India and the Association of Physicians of India.
In 2024, he received the Outstanding Achievers Award and continues to contribute to medical education, exemplifying a lifetime dedicated to empathy, impact, and health care excellence.
Saba A. Hasan, MD, MACP
Dr. Hasan graduated from Sind Medical College in Pakistan in the top 5% of her class. After immigrating to the USA, she completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Capital Health in Trenton, New Jersey. Following graduation from her residency in 2000, Dr. Hasan served as the Chief Medical Resident, leading to the role of Director of the Medical and Subspecialty Clinics at Capital Health in 2001, where she also served as the Co-Director of the Palliative Care Program. In 2008, Dr. Hasan became Director of Capital Health's Internal Medicine Residency Program. In 2021-2022, Dr. Hasan established Transitional Year Residency at Capital Health and was appointed the founding Director of the Program.
In addition to substantial experiences in Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Hasan has held other leadership roles including Governor of the New Jersey Chapter of American College of Physicians (ACP) 2017-2020. During her tenure as Governor of the NJ Chapter, the chapter received the ACPNJ 2019 Chapter Excellence Award-Gold Level. She currently serves on the ACP Immunization, Global Engagement and IMG Steering Committees and is Chair of the Credentials Committee, and is a member of ACP's Board of Regents, the main policy-making body of the College. She is a past member of the ACP Chapters Subcommittee and a former representative of the Alliance of Academic Internal Medicine on ACP's Education Committee. She has also served on several committees and work groups of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) with a focus on the Clinical Competency Committee role and expectations and Milestones of Internal Medicine. In 2014, Dr. Hasan received the Parker J Palmer – Courage to Teach Award from the ACGME. This award is given to 10 Program Directors annually. The award honors Program Directors who find innovative ways to teach residents and provide quality health care. She is also the recipient of an ACP Laureate Award in 2023 in recognition of her distinguished service to the ACP NJ Chapter.
Dr. Hasan has made numerous poster presentations, conducted workshops, co-authored book chapters, and given invited talks at national educational and faculty development conferences.
Her passion lies with working with the learners to create a nurturing environment of education and training for the Internal Medicine Physician leaders of tomorrow.
Montserrat Diaz-Abad, MD, FACP
Dr. Diaz obtained her medical degree in the Dominican Republic and moved to the US to complete internal medicine residency and fellowship training in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Upon completion in 2007, she joined the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, where she is an Associate Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Diaz has served on multiple ACP committees nationally and statewide. She has a major interest in post-graduate education and is currently the director of the sleep medicine fellowship program at the University of Maryland, where she mentors sleep fellows and is Course Director of the Maryland Sleep Boot Camp, an annual core lecture series course attended by sleep fellows from the Baltimore/DC area programs, along with local health professionals interested in the field.
Based on her prior training experience during medical school, Dr. Diaz is interested in all aspects of global health and in how to best adapt disease management guidelines in a practical way for resource limited regions. Her hobbies include reading and learning about personal finance.
Learn more about the Committee and its 2023-24 Members
Back to the March 2024 issue of ACP Global