Indiana Governor's Newsletter December 2023

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Dr. Dee 

Dee Moonesinghe, MD FACP

As I sit here, and write my first letter as your Governor, I thought I would share a little about myself. I am proud to be an Internal Medicine physician, practicing Hospital medicine as a Nocturnist, as well as Hospice and Palliative Care physician, with a special passion for End-of-life care. I am a proud mom to a 1st-year medical student and a college senior. As a life coach and a stress-reduction teacher, I am a big believer in a balanced life and mindful living, and when I am not practicing medicine, you will either find me meditating on a paddleboard in the middle of a lake, traveling to some corner of the country I've never seen, or running a half marathon.

In October, I had the humble honor of attending my second Board of Governors meeting, in sunny Orlando, FL, this time as your new Governor, taking on this role under the unexpected circumstances that life throws our way. It was a delight to meet back up with my class of Governor-Elects (Class of 2028) as we continue to watch and learn from our peers. While there was much time spent building new relationships and nurturing existing ones, I returned home feeling re-invigorated, re-energized, and ready to lead this chapter. Some topics touched on were:

  • Internal Medical interest groups at medical school - not the same as ACP
  • Regenerative artificial intelligence and the future for IM - the excitement mixed in with valid trepidation
  • Maintenance of certification
  • National IM Day - October 28th

I, of course, had the extra honor of being able to vote on resolutions and represent the voices and votes of all of you. I highly encourage everyone to be engaged and give us feedback on the resolutions as they come your way, and help guide the voice of the Indiana chapter. It is tough to sit back and complain about the conditions of the world we live in, when we sit back and don't weigh in with our voice, when we have the chance.

On that note, I have asked Dr. Kat Palmisano to include some thoughts on Advocacy and ways that we can all be more involved.

ACP Indiana Health and Public Policy Update from Dr. Katherine Palmisano, Chair, HPPC ACP Indiana

“As you may know, I serve our chapter as the Health and Public Policy Committee Chair, and am working with Dr. Dee Moonesinghe to expand our chapter's advocacy efforts. As such, we plan to include a standing section in the Governor's Newsletter for Advocacy updates. Firstly, I would like to remind everyone to mark their calendars for Advocacy Day 2024 (May 14th and 15th). This is our biggest Advocacy event and the National ACP provides excellent education into how to advocate and implement this knowledge at a federal level. We would love to have a larger Indiana faction this spring.

Also, if advocacy is important to you, we are looking for additional members to join our committee as we work to find ways to incorporate advocacy at a state level as well. Email our Executive Director, Colleen Keeku with your interest!

Finally, if you haven't already, visit the ACP Legislative Action Center (Action Center (votervoice.net)) - National ACP has done a ton of work here to make it easier for us to stay up to date on crucial policy update issues and participate in advocacy. If you look to the right of the page, there is an area to “Enroll in the Advocates for Internal Medicine Network” with your email and zip code and the ACP team will send you key updates with a quick click that will take you to a page to quickly send messages to all of your specific federal representatives about these issues (and you can customize it!). The key issue at hand now is urging our members of Congress to support the new Medicare add-on code G2211, discussed below. Check out Voter Voice for more information and to send messages to all your representatives. I look forward to ongoing Advocacy work with our chapter to help serve our fellow Indiana physician colleagues and our patients. Have a happy holiday season!”

-Katherine Palmisano, MD, FACP, FAPWH

On Nov 2nd and 3rd, we held our Annual IN chapter meeting, and were honored to hear from some of our own. Experts in their own rights, and there was much learning to be had. I, for one, was amazed by the level of knowledge, engagement and work put in by medical students and residents for the vignettes, posters and doctor's dilemma.

ACP Indiana proudly presents the American College of Physicians Awardees for 2023.

ACP Indiana Volunteerism Resident Award 2023

The Indiana Chapter Volunteerism Award was developed by the Chapters' Subcommittee to recognize the work of members who are involved in volunteerism and community service activities. Volunteerism, like a commitment to continuing education, is an established tradition for internists.

Rachna Chaudhari, DO

ACP Indiana Volunteerism Award 2023

Sukwinder Singh, MD FACP

ACP Indiana Teaching and Mentorship 2023

The ACP Teaching and Mentorship award is given to a College Member or Fellow who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship of students, residents, or colleagues as demonstrated by a sustained commitment to providing personal and professional guidance to other healthcare professionals.

Adrian Singson, MD, FACP

ACP Indiana Outstanding Women Physician of the Year

ACP Indiana honors an outstanding woman physician with a distinguished career in areas of exceptional patient care, medical education and/or research.

Neha Patel, MD

Amy Johnson, DO FACP

Alex Djuricich Outstanding Medical Educator Award

The recipient of this award embodies a truly extraordinary educator dedicated to the future of internal medicine. This award honors a member who exemplifies talent, enthusiasm, and professionalism in medical education.

James M. Hotz, MD FACP

ACP Laureate Award

The ACP Laureate Award is designed to honor those Fellows and Masters of the College who have demonstrated, by their example and conduct, an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care, education, and research, and service to their community, their chapter, and the ACP. ACP IN Highest Achievement in 2023 is given to Dr. Kapil Mehta, MD FACP.

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Dr. Mehta is Core Faculty of the Internal Medicine Residency and Transitional Year Program at St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis. He is also currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at IU School of Medicine. Dr. Mehta has been instrumental in the past ACP Indiana Chapter Meetings as a Co-Chair to the Education committee as well as long-time member of the ACP IN Governor's Council and Early Career Physician Committee. Nationally, Dr. Mehta has been a Reviewer for Annals of Internal Medicine. We are so honored to have his continued knowledge and commitment to internal medicine and ACP Indiana.

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ACP Indiana Education Committee Update from Dr. Areeba Kara, Chair Education Committee, ACP Indiana

“We hosted the Indiana ACP Chapter Annual Scientific meeting on November 2nd and 3rd at the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel, IN. The meeting brought together the talents and expertise of internists across virtually all the major health systems in our State- a tangible reminder of how we work together every day to be our best and do our best! We covered the basics of techniques in POCUS and learned from clinical vignettes, the Doctor's Dilemma competition, and about quality improvement and research across Indiana on Day 1. On Day 2, each session delivered high-yield, evidence-based information on conditions encountered on a daily basis in the practice of medicine- engaging both our in-person and virtual attendees. Every day we try to be better- and coming together to learn, with each other, from each other- united our community of internists in our shared purpose of compassionate caring. In the spirit of continuous improvement- please do provide us feedback on how we did and how we can do better. We are grateful to the staff at the Renaissance Hotel, our chapter coordinator Colleen Keeku, our presenting faculty, all the attendees, and the Indiana ACP Education Council for giving us such a wonderful day.”

- Dr. Areeba Kara, MD FACP, Chair, ACP IN Education Committee

Here's hoping that those who attended in person, or virtually found much value, and that others will find a way to mark their calendars to attend next year when we announce the 2024 dates in early 2024!

A few reminders of upcoming chapter and National events to mark on your calendars.

As we go through Mother Nature's seasons, I am reminded of both the beauty that exists as well as the challenges that come with the inevitability of any change. From the brilliant colors of fall which makes some parts of our beautiful state look like a National Geographic postcard, to 28* temps and flurries - all in the month of October, to sharing thanks and pumpkin pie across the table, in stretchy pants with friends and family. And as such, in life, we are reminded that change is constant and that everything is temporary, be it for a day, or a season, or a career.

Here is hoping that each and every one of you find joy and gratitude, and that you all have had a meaningful Thanksgiving. I am most grateful for my family, my patients, my friends and tribe, my mentors, and everyone you had my back, my ability to run, travel and live life to the fullest, the chance to serve and give back, and as I write this, I am grateful for Dr. Brad Sutter, as I take the reigns and hold space for he and Jan.

What are you most grateful for?

In closing, please remember that no matter what our background belief systems, political or religious foundations, we are first and foremost human. I remind you all to be mindful. Be kind. Be compassionate and give grace. To each other and to yourselves.

Happy Holidays

-Dr. Dee Moonesinghe, MD FACP

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AIMN Alert: Your Help Needed Urging Congress to Support Implementation of the G2211 Code and Halt the 3.4% Physician Payment Cuts

ACP needs your help to urge your members of Congress to support the implementation of the new Medicare add-on code, G2211, included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule, while also acting to prevent an across-the-board 3.4 percent cut to physician payment scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.

The 2024 MPFS final rule includes implementation of the G2211 code on January 1, 2024. Implementation of G2211 will allow physicians to account for services like chronic disease management tracking, review of consultative or diagnostic reports, medication monitoring, safety outside of patient visits, and physician input at assisted living or nursing homes.

While ACP is encouraged by the inclusion of the G2211 code in the MPFS final rule, we are concerned that the MPFS also includes an across-the-board 3.4 percent cut to physician payment due to reduction in the MPFS’ conversion factor for 2024.

Absent physician advocacy, physician payment is at risk in 2024. Please urge your members of Congress to support implementation of G2211 and stop the physician payment cut.

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ACP Leaders Advocate to Increase Investment in Primary Care

In a new op-ed published in Medical Economics, ACP's Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, MACP, FRCP, FIDSA, FAMWA, FEFIM and Senior Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shari M. Erickson, MPH voice the necessity of creating a nationwide strategy to invest more in primary care. When communities have robust primary care systems in place, people stay healthier and live longer at less cost to our health care system overall.

The authors assert that primary care is in crisis and call on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide primary care services at a national scale by adopting a hybrid primary care payment model within Medical Shared Savings Program (MSSP) that empowers primary care by paying upfront for most primary care services. Hybrid payment allows primary care to continue to improve health and health equity while managing health care resources and technology effectively.

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Register Now for ACP's and Annals of Internal Medicine's Forum on Controversies in Colorectal Cancer

ACP members can register for ACP's and Annals of Internal Medicine's virtual live event “Controversies in Colorectal Cancer Screening,” to be held December 6 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET. A panel of experts will discuss screening options based on diagnostic test accuracy, effectiveness, and potential harm and will also address questions submitted before the event. The forum will be moderated by Ana María López, MD, MPH, MACP, professor of medical oncology and integrative medicine and nutritional sciences and a faculty fellow of Jefferson Humanities and Health at Sidney Kimmel Medical College; director of integrative oncology and associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center; and a National Cancer Institute-designated senior advisor on ambulatory telehealth for Jefferson Health Telemedicine Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The panelists joining the discussion include:

  • Michael Bretthauer, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Oslo, chair of the clinical research center in the department of transplantation medicine at Oslo University Hospital, gastroenterologist at Oslo University Hospital, and associate editor for Annals of Internal Medicine.
  • Carol A. Burke, MD, FACP, polyposis section leader at the Sanford R. Weiss, MD, Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia and program director for the Carol A. Burke, MD-Sheetz Family Endowed Fellowship in Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Syndromes at the Cleveland Clinic.
  • Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, MS, MACP, professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Chair of ACP's Clinical Guidelines Committee.

Registration is required to participate in the virtual forum. A recording will be freely available to view after the event.

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