2018 Governor-elect Election Biographical Sketch and Candidate Statement - Central America

The ballots for the current Governors-elect election have been mailed. The voting membership (Masters, Fellows, Members, and Resident/Fellow Members with an elect date of 9/1/2016 or earlier) can vote online or mail-in ballot.

You will need your mailed ballot or election email containing your ACP Member Number and Election Passcode in order to vote. Below are the bios and statements of the candidates that are running in this election. Online voting begins on September 21, 2018 and will end on November 9, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Please be sure to vote!

For replacement ballots and election customer service, e-mail support@directvote.net or call toll-free 1-866-909-3549, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central. For general information, you may email Kelley Gordon, Supervisor, Board of Governor Relations, or call her at 215-351-2559.

Daniel R. Pichel, MD, FACP

Medical School Education: Universidad de Panamá

Post-Doctoral Training: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México/Hospital Español

Certification: Cardiology; Echocardiography

Present Position: Clinical Cardiologist, Centro Medico Paitilla; Professor of Cardiology, Universidad de Panamá

ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities:
Member, Academic and Organizing Committee, Annual Chapter Meeting; Local Guest Speaker, Annual Chapter Meetings 2015, 2017; Speaker, General Medicine ACP Chapter courses, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama

ACP National Activities:
Fellowship 2010; Recipient, Laureate Award 2017; Well-being Champion since 2018

Other Appointments/Activities:
President, Academic Committee, Centro Medico Paitilla, Annual Medical Meeting 2018; Coordinator, Medical Students, Centro Medico Paitilla 2017-2018; Member, Panama Sur Rotary Club 1995-2017; President, Panama Sur Rotary Club 2000-2001; Director, Panama Human Rights Museum; Regular Columnist, La Prensa 1997-2017

Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise:
Cardiac Risk Factors (Hypertension, Lipids, Diabetes); Heart Failure; Cardiac Imaging

Candidate Statement:
Keep growth of the ACP in the Central America Region. Increase membership in all countries in the region. More participation of the College in leadership medical activities for Residents, Interns and Medical Students. Start a program of periodic medical conferences in the region specially designed for general practitioners, with ACP standards. Include ACP as a reference for all Internal Medicine activities in the region to increase awareness about College and its activities for all members and Central America Internists. Include ACP membership in Public Health initiatives in the region, with special emphasis in chronic diseases.

Eric Javier Ulloa Isaza, MD, MMM, FACP

Medical School Education: University of Panama School of Medicine

Post-Doctoral Training: Internal Medicine Residency, Social Security Medical Complex, Panama City

Certification: Panamanian Health Technical Council, Registry 2492

Present Position: Deputy Minister of Health of Panama

ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities:
Public Policy Committee; Organizing Committee, Chapter Meetings 2012-2013; Attendee, Annual Meetings

ACP National Activities:
Fellowship 2005; Attendee, Internal Medicine Meetings

Other Appointments/Activities:
Past President, Panamanian Internal Medicine Society; Secretary and Treasurer, Panamanian Internal Medicine Society; National Director (Coordinating health services in hospitals and rural areas), Provision of Health Services; General Secretary, Ministry of Health; President, Health Technical Council (Panamanian accrediting committee); Private practice of General Internal Medicine

Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise:
General Internal Medicine; Public Health; Palliative Care

Candidate Statement:
As a general internist I recognize that Internal Medicine is the leading clinical specialty that better satisfies patient expectations and allows the physician to establish a better interaction with the patient and his environment. During my years in the public health sector I have learned that a multisectorial approach to bring health to patients and communities is a more cost-efficient approach, and we as internist are well prepared to work in different scenarios and in the best interest of the patients, acting as advocates and helping to create public policies in the best interest of our patients. Internists have an important role in the prevention and fight against the epidemic of non-communicable diseases, but also in education, research and bringing evidence to promote health legislation.