Florida Chapter Governor-elect Election Candidates
Voting Information
Voting for the next Governor-elect begins September 25, 2026, and concludes on November 6, 2026.
Eligible voting members (MACPs, FACPs, Members, Fellows-in-Training, and 2-year Resident Members with an elect date of 9/1/2024 or earlier) will receive an election email containing their unique and personal voting credentials to vote online.
- Ballot materials are not sent from ACP directly. ACP has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to conduct the election.
- Please add noreply@directvote.net as an approved sender so that your ballot arrives safely in your inbox. The subject of the ballot email is “Vote Now! ACP 2026 Governor-elect Election Voting Information”.
- For replacement ballots and election customer service, contact SBS at support@directvote.net or call toll-free 1-866-909-3549, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. ET. For other questions, please call Julie Sinkoff at 215-351-2699 or jsinkoff@acponline.org.
Please review the Governor-elect candidate bios and statements below. When you are ready to vote, return to your election email and follow instructions to cast your ballot!
Carmel J. Barrau, MD, FACP
To learn more about Dr. Barrau, read their biosketch below.
Daniel S. Bendetowicz, MD, FACP
To learn more about Dr. Bendetowicz, read their biosketch below.
Candidate Bios
Candidate Statement: Serving my fellow colleagues has been a central point of my career. I remain deeply committed to advancing the mission of organized medicine, promoting excellence in patient care, and supporting the next generation of physicians throughout Florida. As a board-certified internist and Fellow of the ACP with more than three decades of clinical, administrative, and community leadership experience, I believe I will bring a valuable perspective to the Chapter. My background includes Past President Haitian Medical Association Abroad, FL Chapter, Past President of the Miami-Dade County Medical Association, first Haitian American physician appointed to the Florida Board of Medicine, Co-Founder of HWCM FIU, graduate of the PLA: Physician Leadership Academy of Florida. I have also remained actively involved in medical education and mentorship through my career. I would bring experience in healthcare leadership, physician advocacy, community outreach and collaborative consensus-building to help strengthen the Chapter’s impact across Florida.
Medical School Education: State University Medical School Haiti (HUEH)
Post-Doctoral Training: Internship and Residency Training, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine
Present Employment Position: President, Unihealth of South Florida Inc.
ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities: Internist of the Year Award 2024; Judge, Poster Competition; Delegate, FMA
ACP National Activities: Fellowship 2000; Laureate Award 2025
Other Appointments/Activities: Co-founder, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University; Chairman, Dean's Advisory Council; Past President, Miami-Dade County Medical Association; Former Delegate, FMA (Head of Tallahassee delegation); Co-founder, Lucia Lamour Foundation (501 C3 dedicated to promoting Education in remote and rural areas of Haiti); Humanitarian Award for dedication to Medical Care for Minorities in Miami-Dade County, SLG class of 81; Radio Co-host, Koze Sante (Ethnic Health discussion on informing the public about COVID pandemics.)
Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: Formation of Culturally competent physicians and Education and advocate for the more at-risk segment of the patient population; Education of physicians about the business aspect of Medicine; Advancing the mission of Organized Medicine
Candidate Statement: As a solo practice internal medicine physician in Fort Myers for over 25 years, I built a thriving career based on serving my patients, community, and physicians. It has been my honor to serve the Florida Chapter for over 17 years, as Chair of the International Medical Graduates and Industry Relations committees, as well as service on Membership and Legislation. I have worked to build consensus, advocated for physicians and patients at all levels of government, while striving to promote the diversity of our membership and the practice of medicine. I have a long-standing and proven track record of supporting the Chapter and will always keep the needs of our members as my primary focus. If elected as Governor, I will serve our Chapter and the ACP by working to strengthen medical education, patient care access, and advocating for all physicians to practice medicine with the respect our profession deserves.
Medical School Education: National University of Cordoba, Argentina
Post-Doctoral Training: Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine
Present Employment Position: Solo Private Practice Internist, Fort Myers, Florida
ACP Chapter and Leadership Activities: Member, Governor’s Advisory Council since 2009; Chairman, International Medical Graduates Section since 2022; Chairman, Industry Relations Committee since 2016; Past Vice-Chair & Member, Legislative Committee since 2015; Virtual & In-person Poster Judge since 2016; Delegate, ACP Florida Chapter to the Florida Medical Association (FMA), Annual Meeting, House of Delegates since 2022; Lecturer, Educational Sessions for Residents and Students, Annual Scientific Meetings 2022-2025; Internist of the Year Award 2014; Key Contact Award 2013
ACP National Activities: Fellowship 2002; Member, Political Action Committee since 2007; Leadership Day and Advocacy Activities, Washington, DC
Other Appointments/Activities: Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern University since 2018; Clinical Assistant Professor, Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine since 2022; American Medical Association since 1997; Member, Lee County Medical Society since 2001; Member, FMA since 2001; Member, Council on Medical Economics and Practice Innovation, FMA since 2022
Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: International Medical Graduates (IMG) Advocacy and Mentorship; Medical Education and Teaching; Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
FAQ
Frequently asked voting questions.
Am I eligible to vote?
Honorary Fellows, Student Members, Non-Physician Affiliates, Physician Affiliates, and Traditional Graduate Members are not eligible to vote.
What if I cannot find my ballot?
How do I update or change my ACP membership status or category so I may vote?
To cast your vote, return to your ballot e-mail for your personalized voting link.
For other questions about the election, contact Julie Sinkoff at jsinkoff@acponline.org or 215-351-2699.