Arizona Governor's Newsletter May 2020

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Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP, ACP Governor

Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP, ACP Governor

 


From the Governor

Dear ACP Arizona Members,

We are weeks into the COVID pandemic, and our community, state and nation are reeling. We are individually and collectively riding the roller coasters of despair and hope; excitement about therapies and doldrums about lack of a coordinated public health response; struggling with the urgent need to educate communities and feeling overwhelmed with the numerous online resources.

The number of cases in Arizona have been low; however, the Navajo Nation has been most severely affected, with over a thousand cases. ACP Arizona is raising awareness and participating with fundraising to help the Navajo Nation community.

Our physicians and practices have been significantly impacted by COVID. Our chapter is hosting a discussion (virtually) on June 5th at noon  titled “COVID- Supporting Physicians and Practices in Arizona” .

The panelists include:

Ms . Christina Corieri, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Doug Ducey 

Dr Piyush Gupta MD, FACP VP Population Health & Partnerships, Blue Cross Blue Shield 

Ms. Melissa Kotrys -Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Health Current 

Dr  Savas Petrides MD, FACP, FCRSA Senior VP, Population Health HonorHealth  & CEO Innovation Care Partners

Dr Charlton Wilson, Chief MD, FACP , FACHE – Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Care Plan 

Several members of our chapter have been very active in the different facets of the COVID response:

Our medical student leaders Kathryn Ann Herrera-Thuet and Olivia Wong are launching the Arizona chapter medical student newsletter

  • Our medical student leaders Kathryn Ann Herrera – Theut and Olivia Wong are launching the Arizona Chapter Medical Student Newsletter
  • Arizona ACP chapter member Dr Mike Newcomb has been very active in raising awareness about the lack of COVID testing and PPE in the nursing homes
  • Nicole Segaline, a fourth-year medical student at the UA College of Medicine Phoenix has been raising awareness and leading a drive called Operation Pegasus for supplies for the Navajo Nation
  • Dr Cheryl O’Malley and Dr Brenda Shinar hosted a Zoom meeting on Virtual Residency Interviews

I would like to highlight a few initiatives from ACP national:

  • ACP Leadership Programs Available in Hospital Medicine or Primary Care
  • In partnership with the American Association for Physician Leadership, the ACP Leadership Academy offers a flexible, 18-month-long Certificate in Physician Leadership program with tracks in Hospital Medicine and Primary Care. The program includes a combination of formal training through 46.5 hours of online coursework, online group discussions facilitated by leaders in internal medicine, and a capstone project that demonstrates successful mastery of leadership concepts. Participants may apply online by June 1, 2020 to enroll in the cohorts that begin work in July 2020.
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Related Advocacy
  • In a letter sent this afternoon to leadership from the House of Representatives, the American College of Physicians offered support for the many provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act that would support patients and physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter also offered recommendations for additional policies to prioritize support for primary care to help practices from closing as well as other needed policies.

As we approach the Summer of 2020, the chapter will be working hard to celebrate the profession: from celebrating our medical students and residents who are graduating to welcoming our new interns and providing programs for our members to adjust to a new reality involving the practice of medicine and living within the COVID epidemic.

Stay healthy and well.

With much love and regard

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Priya Radhakrishnan, MD, FACP

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Announcements

Save the Date- Webinar June 5th 12:15- 1:15 pm

COVID: Supporting the practice of Medicine in Arizona

Call for Committee Chairs

The Arizona Chapter is currently seeking candidates to fill vacant chairs in the following committees:

Hospitalist

This committee works to develop a relationship between ACP Arizona and Internists who practice Hospital Medicine by promoting education, research and advocacy for Hospitalists. The committee will provide a forum for professional collaboration in the continuum of quality care of patients and enhance networking opportunities throughout the state.

Resident and Fellows Committee

This committee works to increase the value of membership among Resident/Fellow members, strengthens chapter level activities and relationships at residency/fellowship training programs and aligns the committee activities with ACP Arizona chapter goals.

Physician Well-being and Professional Fulfillment

This committee provides ongoing advice to enhance member well-being and professional fulfillment. This includes key input into current and future strategies designed to promote the well-being and professional fulfillment of Arizona internists and their teams. The committee will also help identify opportunities for further integration of well-being practices into the Arizona chapter activities.

Medical Student Interest Group Co-Chairs

The Co-Chairs have traditionally been one medical student from Tucson and one from Phoenix. Activities include quarterly (virtual) ACP medical student committee meetings and assisting with the Journal Clubs twice a year. The Co-Chairs also serve as liaison between medical school IMIGs and ACP Arizona.

Committee chairs also sit on the Governor's Advisory Council. Each committee meets up to four times a year in a virtual setting. The Chair assists in recruiting committee members such that many will be involved and no one individual is overburdened.

If you are interested in volunteering to lead any of these committees, respond to Priya Radhakrishan at pradhakri@honorhealth.com or Debbie Webber by June 15.

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COVID Resources

Advance Practice Payment update https://www.cms.gov/files/document/Accelerated-and-Advanced-Payments-Fact-Sheet.pdf

ACP COVID Resources; Telehealth & Practice management Resources https://www.acponline.org/node/333614

Arizona Department of Health https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home

Other Arizona COVID Resources https://www.azmed.org/page/coronavirus

https://www.azmed.org/page/COVID19Telemedicine

https://www.azmed.org/page/COVID19FAQ

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