Convocation Information for New Fellows

The Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001


Congratulations on your Fellowship!Regalia Pick up:
2:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Hall C
New Fellows
Gowning Area

Assembly:
6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Hall C
New Fellows and Governors Assembly Area

Ceremony:
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Hall C
Convocation Ceremony

Congratulations on your Fellowship! If you have any questions about Convocation, please call Denise Allen, at (800) 523-1546, extension 2706, or direct at (215) 351-2706, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, or via email at dallen@acponline.org.

A. Regalia Pick-Up

Please pick up your regalia in the New Fellows Gowning Area, Hall C, anytime from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

1. If you sent regalia form in advance:

Go directly to the back of the room and give your name to one of the Herff-Jones representatives and they will give you the regalia assigned to you. Please check the regalia for proper fit (particularly the cap). If you have any problems, see a Herff-Jones representative for exchanges.

2. If you wish to rent regalia and have not submitted a regalia form in advance:

See the Supervisor, at the registration table to complete a regalia rental form. You will be given a copy of the regalia rental form to take to the Herff-Jones representatives, and they will supply you with the appropriate regalia. Please check the regalia for proper fit (particularly the cap). If you have any problems, see a Herff-Jones representative for exchanges.

3. If you brought your own regalia:

See the Supervisor, at the registration table to ensure that your attendance at Convocation is recorded.

B. Attire

Suggested attire is business casual to wear under your regalia.

C. Special Needs

Any Convocation participants who require special assistance to attend the ceremony should contact Denise Allen in writing no later than February 29, 2008 at the American College of Physicians, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572, or via e-mail at dallen@acponline.org.

D. Personal Belongings

Although you may leave your personal belongings in the New Fellows Gowning area, the College cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Therefore, we recommend that Fellows utilize the coat check services located in the Washington Convention Center.

E. Directions and Parking

For directions to the Washington Convention Center and information regarding parking, please visit www.dcconvention.com for more information.

F. Tassels

The tassel is to be worn on the right side of the cap until the President officially confers the Fellowships and tips his cap to the new Fellows, whereupon the Fellows will tip their caps, at the same time swinging the tassel to the left side.

G. Assembly

All Fellows must report dressed in their regalia to the New Fellows and Governors Assembly Area, Hall C, by 6:00 p.m. The Assembly Area provides a place where new Fellows and Governors can form groups by chapter, so that chapters can march together in procession. This area is restricted to marchers and ACP staff only. Look around the room for the sign that lists your chapter. Lines of march will be formed in chapter order and led by the appropriate ACP Governor. Please note that the Canadians march as a group, the Japanese march as a group, and the Latin Americans plus all the international Fellows without a chapter march as one group. The Armed Services regions (Army, Navy, and Air Force) also make up their own group. The procession to the auditorium will commence at 6:30 p.m. Convocation honors many physicians, and the line-up and procession will be lengthy. Please be patient.

H. Foster Photography

Foster Photography[PDF] will be in Hall C on Thursday and Friday, May 15th and 16th, should you choose to have your portrait taken at that time. Photos are taken Thursday from Noon to 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There are several portrait packages available, and prices vary according to your selection. Family members are welcome to be included. (Foster Photography will supply regalia for Friday's sittings.) We would encourage you to schedule your appointment in advance. The best time to schedule on Thursday, May 15th, is between noon and 3:00 p.m.

I. Family Members/Guests

Family members and guests are permitted in the New Fellows Gowning Area. However, the New Fellows and Governors Assembly area is restricted to those who will march (New Fellows, ACP Governors, and Chapter Awardees) and ACP staff only. After 5:30 p.m. and before 6:20 p.m., family members are encouraged to proceed to the auditorium to be seated before the ceremony. Those with small children are encouraged to use the childcare services at their hotel, or the service available for Internal Medicine 2008 attendees at the Renaissance Washington DC, as the ceremony may seem long to them.

J. Return Of Regalia

The Convocation ceremony is expected to last about 1 1/2 hours. If you have rented regalia, after the ceremony please return your regalia by depositing it in one of the bins in the gowning or assembly areas.

K. Shuttle Buses

On Thursday there will be extended bus service between the convention hotels and the Convocation ceremony at the Washington Convention Center.

L. ACP Pledges

The ACP Pledge will be mailed to all Fellows inducted at Convocation approximately six weeks after the ceremony.

M. Internal Medicine 2008 Attendees

If you are attending the Internal Medicine 2008 scientific sessions, don't forget to pick up your "New Fellow" ribbon in the New Fellows Gowning area located in Hall C, to affix to your meeting badge. These ribbons will also be available at the ACP Membership Booth in the Exhibit Hall. This will identify you as a new Fellow.

N. Chapter Receptions

Be sure to attend the reception given by your chapter to celebrate the accomplishments of new Fellows, new Masters, and awardees. A complete list of chapter receptions, with times and locations, will appear in the final Scientific Program. New Fellows are invited to the International Reception immediately following Convocation.

O. Videotape/DVD

Videotapes and DVDs of the Convocation ceremony will be available by the summer of 2008. We will be accepting prepaid orders on May 15, 2008 in the New Fellows Gowning area for shipment at a later date. A copy of the form is also located in the 2008 Convocation Program and Roster.

P. Fellows and Masters Lounge

Come by and visit the ACP Fellows and Masters Lounge. Especially for Fellows and Masters, this lounge includes refreshments, computers with Internet access, and a comfortable place to meet with colleagues or relax between activities. The lounge is located in the Exhibit Hall and will be open during regular Exhibit Hall hours.

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Page updated: 10/24/07

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