Nebraska Governor's Newsletter October 2026
In this Issue:
- Governor's Message
- 2026 Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner
- Congratulations to our New Chapter Fellow
- 2026 Nebraska Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting
- 2026 Student & Resident Abstract Contest
- Awards Committee
- Early Career Physicians Committee
- Health & Public Policy Committee
- Membership Committee
- 2027 Midwest Diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound Workshop
- Medical Student Council
- Wellness Committee
Lauren E. Nelson, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message
“You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.”
- Dolly Parton
I love Dolly Parton, and I have always been amazed at what she was able to accomplish throughout her career. She had the ability to effect real change in people's lives with her public actions and her behind-the-scenes work with apparent superhuman energy and compassion. Most of us are human, without infinite levels of energy or a team to bedazzle our white coats.
As physicians, it often seems like we need Dolly Parton levels of energy and compassion to just get through our day as we navigate practicing health care in an increasingly complex system.
More rhinestones?
Not quite.
In the absence of sparkly magic, it is up to us as physicians to advocate for policies that improve patient care, ensure that we are paid for the work that we do, and reduce administrative burden. ACP, locally and nationally, can be a powerful collective voice giving us the opportunity to improve the lives of our patients and ourselves. In the past year, ACP nationally has successfully advocated for increased internal medicine reimbursement rates and developed adult vaccine immunization recommendations.
(More info on advocacy successes here https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/what-acp-advocacy-achieved-for-you-and-your-patients-in-2025)
There is more work to be done to make our days easier and our patients' lives healthier, which is why involvement in ACP is even more important. In our chapter, we have many opportunities to find community, increase education, advocate, and support our community. A few great ways to connect: join a committee, engage in state advocacy, read a book, listen to a webinar, attend the scientific meeting. I hope each one of you can find a way to engage with our chapter in a way that is energizing, so that together we can make medicine better.
I sincerely would love to hear what is on your mind. Reach out with questions, ideas, ways to get involved, or more Dolly Parton quotes.
My email is nelson.lauren08@gmail.com
2026 Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner
The Nebraska chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2026 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 69 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet 20 Bronze criteria, 12 Silver criteria and a significant number of 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. We 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.
Congratulations to our New Chapter Fellow
Erin Ramelb, MD FACP
Congratulations to the Chapter's new Fellow – Erin Ramelb, MD 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.
2026 Nebraska Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting
November 13, 2026
Omaha Country Club
Register today for the 2026 Nebraska Chapter Annual Scientific meeting. Highlights of the meeting will include MSFM – GLP1 Perspectives, Gene & Cellular Therapy: What you need to know, Doctor's Dilemma competition, Medical Student & Resident Abstract competition and Chapter Award presentations.
2026 Student & Resident Abstract Contest
Good luck to the 49 competitors in the upcoming abstract competition. The Virtual Abstract competition will be held on Wednesday, October 14 for students and Wednesday, October 21 for residents. If you would like to observe the competition, please contact trisha@omahamedical.com for credentials to either of the Zoom meetings.
Awards Committee
The Awards committee is pleased to announce the 2026 NE ACP Award winners. The 10 award winners will be recognized at the Fall Conference. Thank you to Dr. Regan Taylor for her many years of service as the committee chair.
Early Career Physicians Committee
The ECP Mentoring Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at Omaha Country Club. It is again hosted in conjunction MOMS & NPS. Registration can be completed on this page. The event is free to attend for all early career physicians.
https://omahamedical.com/event/early-career-physicians-mentoring-panel/
Our panelists include:
Harris Frankel, MD – Neurologist, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Nebraska Medicine, MOMS Past-President
Jason Bruce, MD – Pediatrician, Chief Operating Officer, Boys Town
Emily Kean, MD – Urogynecology
Joel Bessmer, MD – Internal Medicine, Owner & Medical Director of Members.MD
Juan Santamaria, MD – Facilitator, MOMS Early Career Physicians Chair
Health & Public Policy Committee
Save the date for Leadership Day 2027, May 11-12 in Washington DC
Leadership Day is the College's annual two-day advocacy event in Washington, DC that enables our members from across the country to bring our issues of concern to U.S. lawmakers. This is a great opportunity for the College and our members to bring our policy priorities to Congress and try to influence the legislative process on behalf of internal medicine. If you are a student or resident interested in attending please reach out to receive a travel scholarship application or complete the Scholarship application here. Day 2027-fillable.pdf
ACP Health Policy Internship
The ACP Health Policy Internship provides a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine. Interns will provide assistance with researching and analyzing current issues in health and medical education policy, on-going advocacy initiatives, and the development of advocacy materials. Interns will have the opportunity to attend Congressional hearings, coalition meetings, issue briefings, and accompany government affairs staff on lobby visits to members of congress and their staff, political action committee (PAC) fundraisers, and to other events. The interns will participate in ACP's Leadership Day, including assisting with programming during the two-day meeting. At the end of the internship period, we hope that the interns will have learned much about health policy and the importance of advocacy.
Health Policy Internship applications due October 31, 2026
https://www.acponline.org/node/290653
ACP Advocacy “Where We Stand”
Please check out https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/latest-acp-advocacy for more information on current ACP efforts.
Reach out to Chair, Dr. Stephanie Hartman at Stephanie.hartman.md@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to be involved.
Membership Committee
Chair: Suzette R Clarke MD FACP
Goal: To enhance, assist and participate in membership growth.
If you are interested in being part of this committee please reach out to Trisha at: trisha@omahamedical.com
I encourage you to be part of this dynamic group who will continue to serve the NE Chapter. A brand new team will be assembled in October 2026 of this year. If you are a medical student, resident, ECP, Physician Affiliate or Transitional Medical graduate, you can also be part of this team.
Thank you for your membership and being part of the NE Chapter.
Upcoming Activities:
Internal Medicine Day October 28, 2026.
Send us your pictures so we can feature you and your colleagues on our Instagram page (@nebraska_acp) and X (NE-ACP).
Antimicrobial Stewardship Webinar November 18, 2026.
Coinciding with “World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week”, the Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program will host a webinar focusing on key updates that could change practice for common infectious syndromes. Learn more through the organization's newsletter The Antimicrobial Advocate Newsletter Archive - ASAP.
Ongoing activities:
If you are an FACP and interested in sponsoring someone for Fellowship, email me at suzette.r.c@gmail.com
If you are a member interested in becoming an FACP, check out the ACP website for details here
If you are a member participating in the Guided Fellowship, congratulations and keep working at your points. You can also assist the NE Chapter participating as Judge for our fall abstract competition. Click here to submit your availability.
Questions and suggestions: please route to our ACP staff and we would be happy to help.
2027 Midwest Diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound Workshop
Learn from nationally-renowned Internal Medicine faculty at the 2027 POCUS workshop. Attendees will experience hands-on didactics on standardized patients with a 3:1 learner-to-faculty scanning ratios. POCUS applications will be taught for inpatient and outpatient providers. Early-bird registration now open, with discounts for ACP members.
May 13-14, 2027
Davis Global Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Register: POCUS Workshop
Medical Student Council
The NE ACP Medical Student Council will prepare and serve dinner at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge on Sunday November 8. They welcome participation from all membership groups of ACP. The dinner is part of the “Cooking Up Hope” program, where volunteers bring food and cook a meal for the residents of the facility. Council representatives chose this volunteer activity because it sends a strong message that the ACP is committed to providing access to care to hard-to-reach communities, such as those in rural Nebraska who often travel long distances for care, and it provides a fun way for students and physicians to collaborate in making a meal for folks at the residence.
Wellness Committee
The Wellness committee hosted two events this summer & early fall. Part 2 of the Parenting Series – Supporting Children with Unique Learning Needs was held in conjunction with the Kansas ACP chapter. Panelists included Dr. Erin Willis-Loucks (Children's Nebraska), Larry Zier (The Zier Institute) and Dr. Christine Durrett (Flint Hills Neuropsychology). A recording of the webinar will be available on the NE ACP You Tube channel (@NE-ACP).
The Wellness Book Club met for coffee and conversation on September 26 at Big Grove Coffee for a discussion of the romcom novel “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion.
