2009 Governors-elect Candidates' Bios and Vision Statements

The ballots for the current Governors-elect election have been mailed. Members can vote via telephone at 1 800 218 4026 (US only), online or mail. You will need your mailed ballot for your ACP Number and PIN in order to make a vote.

Below are the bios and vision statements of the candidates that are running in this election. The deadline for submitting ballots is November 26, 2009 at 12 midnight CT. Please be sure to vote!

Paul F. Florentino

DATE/PLACE OF BIRTH: May 21, 1955, Brooklyn, New York, EDUCATION: St. Louis University School of Medicine, MD conferred 1981, cum laude, Colgate University, BS conferred 1977, magna cum laude; POST DOCTORAL TRAINING: Internal Medicine, Cornell Cooperating Hospitals: Memorial Sloan Kettering and North Shore University Hospitals, New York, 1984; CERTIFICATION: Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, 1985; recertified 2006; MILITARY: U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon and Internist, 1984-1988; PRESENT POSITION: Director of Medical Services, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; ACP ACTIVITIES: Associate Member 1981; Fellow 1994; VA ACP Governor’s Council 2001-Present; Chair, VA ACP Regional Scientific Meeting, 2001; Co-Chair, VA ACP Regional Scientific Meeting 2007; VA ACP Regional Scientific Meeting Committee Member 2007- 2009; Chair, VA Chapter Awards Committee, 2001-Present; Leadership Day, 2001, 2009; HOSPITAL/COMMUNITY SERVICE: Board of Directors, National Naval Medical Center, 2006-Present; Volunteer Staff, Whitman Walker Clinic of North Virginia, 1998-2005; Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS, 2000-2005; AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST/EXPERTISE: Internal Medicine; Executive Medicine

Vision Statement
While our country is in the midst of an economic crisis and health care reform is high on the President’s agenda, it is absolutely essential that the Virginia Chapter of the ACP remain strong. We must continue to advocate for the interests of Virginia internists as well as assure value for the educational opportunities and the services the ACP provides its members. With the nation focused on health care reform, the ACP has a unique opportunity to reshape the reimbursement system and correct the ills that have plagued both the internal medicine community and our patients alike. With the aid of a talented Governor’s Council, I hope to see that the Virginia Chapter of the ACP continues its legacy of leadership on the national level provides low cost continuing education opportunities of the highest caliber and continues to provide innovative ideas that stimulate interest in internal medicine.

Ranjodh Gill

DATE/PLACE OF BIRTH: 04/10/1962, India; EDUCATION: M.D. degree from Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India, December 31, 1985; POST DOCTORAL TRAINING: 1) Internal Medicine Residency from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, June 30, 1995, 2) Fellowship in Endocrinology from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, June 30, 1987; CERTIFICATION: 1) Internal medicine, 2) Endocrinology; PRESENT POSITION: Associate Professor, Department of Internal medicine, VCU medical school, Richmond, VA; ACP ACTIVITIES: Fellow, ACP, July 1, 2004, Member, planning committee, Virginia chapter of American College of Physicians’ annual meeting, Richmond, Virginia, April 2003, Member, Virginia chapter ACP Awards Committee since 2004, Key Contact, ACP since 2004, Recipient of ACP Young Internist Award, April, 2004, Chairman, Nominations committee, Virginia chapter of American College of Physicians since Oct. 2005, Chairman, Associates Program at Virginia chapter of American College of Physicians since Jan. 2006, Member, Chapter Leaders Network, American College of Physicians since October 2006, Abstract reviewer for ACP National Meetings since 2006, Attendance at Leadership Day at Capitol Hill since 2004; HOSPITAL/COMMUNITY SERVICE: Faculty attending in Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, Virginia from July 1, 1997 – Present, Faculty attending in Medical Service at McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA from July 1, 2003 – Present, Volunteer Faculty member at SACVI Free Medical Clinic, Richmond, VA since 2006, Supervising physician, VCU Health Fair at Armstrong High School, Richmond, Virginia in 2008 and 2009; OTHER APPOINTMENTS: Associate Medical Director, Virginia Premier, Richmond, VA since 1999, Vice-chair, VCU IRB panel since 2004, Member, VCU IRB since 2001, Member, VCU faculty senate since 2007, Member, VCU Honors Board since 2007, Member, VCU Fulbright Panel since 2008, Member, editorial board, Southern Medical Journal, since 2009, Member, VCU Medical Admissions, Guaranteed Admit and Preferred Admit Committees since 2003; AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST/ EXPERTISE: 1) DM, 2) Male Hypogonadism, 3) Osteoporosis

Vision Statement
ACP has historically played a pivotal role in influencing national health care policy but a lot more needs to be done as is evident from the recent national debate. It is more important than ever that we are proactive and vigilant about the needs of our medical fraternity which is where ACP Governor’s role is so crucial. Virginia ACP Chapter has been a pioneer in this endeavor guided by its industrious past Governors. The new Virginia ACP Governor will have tough shoes to fill but, all the same, it affords a tremendous opportunity and enormous challenge. I want to assure you that, if elected Virginia ACP Governor, I will do my best to not only walk in the footsteps of my predecessors, but also strive to go a step farther. Internists are at a cross-road where there is a lot of conflict about fair compensation for primary care vis-à-vis specialties. I can speak from both sides’ perspective since I practice both endocrinology and internal medicine. One has to achieve a just and right balance between the two which is rewarding to both and punitive to none. As your Governor, I promise to work towards achieving this goal and to make our Virginia Chapter more relevant and accessible.