Connecticut Governor's Newsletter July 2026
In this Issue:
- Governor's Message
- REFLECTIONS: by Dan Tobin
- ACP 2026
- ADVOCACY
- MEDICAL STUDENTS
- VOLUNTARY DONATION
- WELLNESS EVENT
- ANNUAL MEETING SAVE THE DATE
- NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY
- BECOME AN FACP
Daniel G. Tobin, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message
Dear CT ACP Colleagues:
As we move through anoher busy period for our Chapter, I continue to be inspired by the dedication, leadership, and advocacy demonstrated by our members across Connecticut and on the national stage.
This spring, many of our members represented Connecticut proudly at ACP Internal Medicine Meeting 2026 in San Francisco. From Dr. Rebecca Andrews' inspiring remarks as Chair of the Board of Regents, to Dr. Ruth Weissberger leading Convocation as a new MACP, to our outstanding Doctor's Dilemma team from Bridgeport bringing home the Osler Cup, Connecticut's presence was truly remarkable. It was wonderful to see so many of our colleagues recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the profession.
Advocacy also remains central to our mission. During ACP Leadership Day in Washington, D.C., members of our chapter met with Connecticut's congressional delegation to discuss critical issues impacting physicians and patients, including Medicare physician payment reform, student loan relief for residents through the REDI Act, and preserving no-cost vaccine access. These conversations are essential as we continue to advocate for a healthcare system that supports both patients and the physician workforce.
Closer to home, I am proud of our continued engagement with medical students, residents, and wellness initiatives. Congratulations to Quinnipiac University on their exciting victory in this year's Medical Student Doctor's Dilemma competition, and thank you to all of the faculty, judges, and volunteers who helped make the event such a success. I also want to thank our Wellness Committee for organizing meaningful opportunities for members to connect outside of clinical practice, including this spring's birding walk at Hammonasset State Park.
As we look ahead, I encourage all members to save the date for our 2026 CT ACP Annual Scientific Meeting on October 23 at the Aqua Turf. We are planning another outstanding program filled with timely educational sessions, mentorship opportunities, and the collegial spirit that makes our Chapter so special.
Finally, thank you for your continued support of the Connecticut Chapter of ACP. Whether through advocacy, teaching, mentorship, wellness activities, or philanthropy, your involvement strengthens our profession and helps shape the future of internal medicine in Connecticut.
Sincerely,
Dan Tobin, MD, FACP
Governor, Connecticut Chapter
REFLECTIONS: by Dan Tobin
Standing outside a representative's office - the murmurs of quiet hallway conversation broken by the sound of footsteps clicking off marble – I realize that our teams' experience during ACP's Leaderhsip Day was built from contradictions.
First – and to my amazement - the halls of Congress are remarkably accessible. After a moderately intimidating security checkpoint, nearly anyone can enter. Inside, the corridors churn with suits moving with purpose; dressed the same, you can disappear into the crowd. Much of the security is invisible. Many office doors are unlocked – power separated from the public by little more than a doorknob and a threshold. Truly, parts of my hospital are harder to enter. Walking here, I didn't feel like I was breathing rarefied air. I expected to. I was relieved - but surprisingly, also a little disappointed.
Physical access is the easy part. Influence is the maze. The floorplans are complex, signage is sparse, and offices sit far enough apart to turn a visit into a workout. Between you and an important advocacy conversation is a moving wall of calendars, protocols, and staff. Meetings are brokered by third parties, reshuffled without notice, and sometimes decided by luck as much as preparation. You can roam freely – but you won't meet your representative on gumption alone. ACP helped. It still wasn't easy.
Then there are the staffers – another paradox. Tailored suits, immaculate composure, and degrees from places we recognize. They control the gates to power. And many are in their twenties or thirties, working exceptional hours for modest pay and almost no public recognition. The J.D. on the wall can feel brand-new – the ink still metaphorically wet. Yet a single interaction with the harried, polished person at the door can make or break the day's agenda. And the agenda matters – behind every billing code and workforce statistic is the patient who waits longer, travels farther, or goes without.
I'm still learning the ropes, but advocacy feels like learning a building: which doors open, which require an introduction, which only swing wide after time. Evidence matters. Story matters. Patience matters. And sometimes the hinge – the staffer, the schedule, the two-minute hallway exchange – is what needs the most attention to let the door open at all.
ACP 2026
Connecticut members played a significant role in the 2026 ACP meeting in San Francisco. Dr. Rebecca Andrews, Chair of the Board of Regents shared important words of wisom and what it means to join the fellowship, Dr. Ruth Weissberger led the convocation ceremony as a new MACP and introduced all of the awardees and our Doctor's Dilemma Team from Bridgeport took home the coveted Osler Cup as this year's champs. It was an incredible meeting and wonderful to see so many leaders from Connecticut participating in many facets of the meeting.
ADVOCACY
ACP Leadership Day 2026
Members of the Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Physicians recently participated in ACP Leadership Day in Washington, D.C., joining physician advocates from across the country to meet with members of Congress on key healthcare priorities.
Representing Connecticut were Dr. Jenna Gage (graduating PGY3 with the Yale Primary Care residency program), Dr. Anthony Yoder (UConn, Health and Public Policy Co-Chair), Dr. Ben Cherry (Yale, Health and Public Policy Co-Chair), and Dr. Dan Tobin (chapter Governor), along with Executive Director Lisa Winkler. The group participated in productive meetings with Connecticut's congressional delegation and their staff to discuss several critical policy issues impacting physicians, trainees, and patients.
Advocacy efforts focused on three key priorities:
- HR 8163 to establish stable payment reform under the Physician Fee Schedule
- HR 2028/S. 942 the REDI Act, which would delay the accrual of interest on federal student loans for physicians during residency training
- HR 5448/S. 2857 Preserving no-cost vaccine coverage based on the 2024 ACIP recommended vaccine schedule to ensure continued patient access to preventive care
Leadership Day provided an important opportunity for Connecticut physicians to advocate for policies that strengthen patient care and support the physician workforce. ACP Connecticut appreciates the engagement of Connecticut's congressional delegation and the efforts of all those who participated in this year's advocacy visits. Rep. Larson and Rep. Hayes are both signed on to the Vaccine bill and Rep. Larson is a co-sponsor of the REDI Act.
Joint Physician Op-ed on High-Deductible Health Plans
Dr. Anthony Yoder recently joined the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) and 17 additional physician and healthcare organizations as a signatory to a joint op-ed published in The Connecticut Mirror addressing the growing concerns surrounding high-deductible health plans.
The piece highlights how increasingly high out-of-pocket costs are causing many patients to delay or forgo necessary medical care, creating barriers to timely treatment and negatively impacting long-term health outcomes. The coalition of physician organizations called for policymakers, insurers, employers, and healthcare leaders to work collaboratively toward solutions that improve affordability and ensure patients can access the care they need without financial hardship.
Dr. Yoder's participation reflects CTACP's continued commitment to advocating for policies that support both patients and physicians across Connecticut.
MEDICAL STUDENTS
Special thanks to Drs. Mariam Farhan and Jackie Savage for planning this year's official Med Student Dilemma. Teams from UCONN and Quinnipiac faced off on April 2nd at the Yale Medical Library with Drs. Kanwar Arora and Cynthia McNamara serving as judges. Quinnipiac took home the cup winning by just one point. We're already looking forward to next year's competition!
VOLUNTARY DONATION
Help Champion Tomorrow's Leaders TODAY - it's our mission. Every dollar you contribute creates ripple effects that improve patient care for decades to come by supporting our residents and medical students and their engagement with the Connecticut Chapter and ACP. <u>Use this link to donate today</u>!
WELLNESS EVENT
On Saturday, May 9h, the Wellness Committee joined the Audobon Society for a relaxing birding walk at Hammonassett State Park. It was a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn about migratory birds and unwind with colleagues. Special thanks to Dr. Sujata Prasad for spreading the word about this nice event.
ANNUAL MEETING SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars!
The 2026 CT ACP Annual Scientific Meeting will be held on Oct. 23, 2026 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. Special thanks to our meeting Tri-Chairs Dr. Diana Sewell, Dr. Naseema Merchant and newly added Dr. Varun Jain for organizing this wonderful meeting. If you are interested in volunteering or serving as a judge this year, please contact Lisa at lisa@grassrootsct.com Speakers and Topics this year include a keynote by Commissioner Juthani and sessions on Navigating Perimenopause, AI, Update in General Internal Medicine, Things We STILL Do for No Reason, Diagnostic Reasoning, MKSAP and of course our Women in Medicine and Meet a Mentor Sessions, Doctor's Dilemma and our wonderful Poster and Oral Abstract Competition. Keep an eye out for registration information!
NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY
Congratulations to this year's Residents of the Year:
- Omer Qureshi, M.D.-Yale University School of Medicine
- Megan McNamara, M.D.-Frank H. Netter School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University
- Noor Taweh, M.D.-University of Connecticut School of Medicine
BECOME AN FACP
Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internal medicine physician lives and practices. CTACP will be hosting a session soon but if you are interested, please click on the link above for more information.