Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner
(September 2022) I am pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2022 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 47 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet twenty Bronze criteria, seventeen Silver criteria and multiple Gold level activities. Criteria include such activities as having a legislative action plan or agenda, holding a volunteerism/community service activity, holding multiple stand-alone meetings, having revenue sources outside of dues and meeting registration fees, implementing a strategic plan, implementing a formal recruitment and retention plan and measuring outcomes, conducting various activities for Medical Students, Residents and Early Career Physicians. I would like to extend a special thanks to those chapter members who assisted us in all of these endeavors! For their hard work and dedication, we received this award.
Central America Chapter Receives a 2021 John Tooker Evergreen Award
The John Tooker Evergreen Awards Program provides recognition and visibility to chapters that have successfully implemented programs to increase membership, improve communication, increase member involvement, enhance diversity, foster careers in internal medicine and improve management of the chapter. The Central America Chapter received a 2021 John Tooker Evergreen Award for their initiative, Campaign Against COVID19 Pandemic and Healthy Community Program.
Campaign Against COVID19 Pandemic
Using education as a tool to best explain why some actions are necessary, "Campaign Against COVID19 Pandemic” focused on educating the community about an unknown foe. Through a series of social media campaigns and instructional videos, the Chapter encouraged the population to trust in national health policies such as wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and managing hygiene in the workplace.
Healthy Community Program
The Healthy Community Program activity in Panama City was held to collect donations (money, food, hygiene products) to distribute baskets to families in need. Because of the pandemic and total quarantine in Panama many citizens lost their jobs and were in extreme necessity for basic needs. The Chapter used social media and local connections to obtain items and spread the word. Each basket included written advice for the families to commit to a healthier lifestyle and reduce the burden of chronic disease.