Nebraska Governor's Newsletter September 2025
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In this Issue:
- Governor's Message:
- 2025 Nebraska ACP Scientific Meeting
- Doctor's Dilemma Competition
- National Poster Competition
- 2026 ACP Internal Medicine Meeting
- Awards Committee
- Early Career Physicians
- Corks and Conversation
- Health Equity Committee
- Health and Public Policy Committee
- Wellness Committee
- Congratulation new ACP Fellows!
- Resident Council
- Medical Student Council
Lauren E. Nelson, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message:
Fall is always a time of transition for my family. The last two weeks, we have been reviewing old routines, making adjustments for new challenges, finding familiar faces, and, mostly, we aren't drowning in the chaos. Practicing medicine has felt similar over the past few months, though without the added excitement of new school gear. When my patients ask if they should get a vaccine, or even if they will be able to afford their screening colonoscopy, I often feel as confused and uncertain as they are. I want to be able to provide my patients consistent, predictable, evidence-based primary care, and that is difficult now.
Amidst the uncertainty, I am even more grateful to be a part of ACP. Through many of our Nebraska chapter activities, I have found support to navigate a path forward. Our well-being committee has offered opportunities to connect through books and service to others. Our health equity committee hosted a webinar on immigration in health care. Our Leadership Day team visited Washington DC to discuss issues vital to the practice of health care. We even tailgated at the Men's College World Series.
Our NE ACP Leadership Day delegation April 2025, Washington, D.C.
NE ACP Tailgate at 2025 College World Series
ACP national advocate for issues affecting health care, including payment reform, improving the prior authorization process, and increasing the physician workforce. In addition, ACP is one of 6 professional societies suing the administration over unlawful, unilateral vaccine changes. The organization has also spoken out to protect the integrity of the USPSTF. (The advocacy page has a wealth of information regarding ACP's efforts https://www.acponline.org/advocacy) Through the Advocates for Internal Medicine, ACP also offers a simple, timely avenue to engage federal lawmakers on issues surrounding health policy. (https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/get-involved-advocacy-in-action/legislative-action-center) ACP also continues to offer consistent, evidence-based resources for clinical information on many timely topics such as adult immunizations and AI. (www.acponline.org/clinical-information)
ACP, for me, has allowed me to find routine, structure, and familiar faces as I navigate an uncertain path in clinical practice. I hope that our chapter can offer a framework for many of us to make our days a little easier and health care a little better. I would love to connect and learn more from each of our members.
Interested in being on a committee, or just finding ways to get involved?
Email cristina@omahamedical.com
2025 Nebraska ACP Scientific Meeting
Join us for the Nebraska Chapter ACP annual Scientific Meeting on November 6, 2025, at Omaha Country Club from 5:00-8:30 PM. Feel free to bring a guest to the event! Lydia Kang, MD will be our featured speaker this year and attendees will receive a free copy of her book. Winners of the poster competition will present their abstracts during the meeting.
Doctor's Dilemma Competition
This year's Jeopardy-style Doctor's Dilemma competition will take place on Saturday, September 6 from 2:00-4:00 pm at The BLUEBARN Theater (1106 S. 10th Street). Come cheer on your favorite team! There will be a cash bar available.
The winning team will represent Nebraska ACP at the Internal Medicine Meeting in San Francisco, CA this April. Best of luck!
National Poster Competition
The Nebraska ACP Poster Competitions will be held via Zoom October 8th for Medical Students and October 15th for Residents. There is still time to submit your Abstracts! The deadline is September 7th (No late submissions accepted).
Students Call for Abstracts 2025
Residents Call for Abstracts 2025
The resident and medical student winners will advance and compete at the Internal Medicine meeting April 16-18, 2026 in San Francisco, CA.
2026 ACP Internal Medicine Meeting
Join ACP and your colleagues in San Francisco, CA, April 16-18, 2026 at the annual marquee educational event for internal medicine physicians and subspecialists around the globe. Together we will share in three days of unparalleled professional revitalization and make invaluable connections with our internal medicine community.
- Refresh your clinical skills with unmatched hands-on learning opportunities
- Make inspiring, lifelong connections at receptions and networking events
- Earn CME credit and MOC points
- Attend in person or attend from anywhere with virtual registration
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee met in June and has selected this year's honorees! Winners will be announced soon, so stay tuned for the announcement. Dr. Regan Taylor (Chair) and the entire committee are excited to recognize outstanding achievements and look forward to presenting these awards at the Fall Conference this November.
Early Career Physicians
Early Career Physician Mentoring Dinner & Panel Discussion
“Practice Makes Perspective:
What We Have Learned Along the Way”
Hear from industry leading professionals as they share their personal experiences and perspectives related to their medical career, family, financial matters and self-care.
Join us: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Happy Hollow Country Club -1701 S 105th St There is no cost to attend. Dinner will be provided and a cash bar will be available. There is a great line up of panelists, you do not want to miss this event!
Jim Linder, MD – Pathologist & CEO Nebraska Medicine
William Lydiatt, MD – Head & Neck Surgeon, CEO Clarkson Regional Health Services
Renuga Vivekanandan, MD – Infectious Diseases & Creighton School of Medicine Assistant Dean, Strategy & Accreditation
Christine Insinger – Financial Advisor at Renaissance Financial
Bret Hays, MD – Facilitator, Internal Medicine, and NE ACP Early Career Physicians Committee Chair
Hosted by MOMS, NEACP and NPS, sponsored in part by the NMA.
Register here-Space is Limited
Corks and Conversation
Early Career Physicians Committee hosted “Corks and Conversation” on May 6, 2025 at Corkscrew Blackstone District. Thank you to Collette Colvin-Bernard, CPC- Director MPC Coding and Education, Bret Hays, MD, FACP Internal Medicine- Nebraska Methodist Health System and Andy Moellering, MD Palliative Care Bryan Health who were the panel of speakers at this fun event.
Health Equity Committee
Immigration Challenges in Healthcare
An Immigration Challenges in Healthcare Panel discussion was held on June 2, 2025. Hosted by the Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians and the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine Office of Belonging and Community Engagement, the panel was both educational and timely, offering valuable insights into an increasingly relevant topic in healthcare today. We appreciate the thoughtful participation and engagement from our attendees.
The full discussion video has been uploaded to the Nebraska Chapter ACP YouTube page and is available at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPiyKjqOHas
Omaha Welcomes the Stranger
On Sunday, July 13th, 2025, NE ACP hosted Omaha Welcomes the Stranger, a “non-profit organization dedicated to serving migrants and refugees in Omaha, Nebraska” providing them shelter, food, legal aid, and other assistance. We are very appreciative to our many volunteers for their contributions in making this event a success!
Health and Public Policy Committee
Please consider participating in the August 2025 Grassroots Mobilization Challenge focused on 3 specific “asks” so when they return to session in September these items are acted on by the September 30th funding deadline. Please urge your members of Congress to extend the telehealth flexibilities waivers and reauthorize and fund the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) programs before they expire on October 1, 2025. Details were sent via the ACP portal earlier in the month. You may also use the link here to access details about the challenge and easily reach out to your representatives in Congress regarding these topics.
2026 Leadership Day in Washington, D.C.
Save the Date for Leadership Day 2026 - May 19-20, 2026 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. In addition to having an opportunity to meet with your legislators and staff in Washington, DC, participants are provided with in-depth briefings from White House officials, Capitol Hill staffers, and members of Congress; all of whom are among the top health care decision makers. Stay tuned for information on how to get registered for this event! NE ACP will sponsor two travel scholarships. Medical students, Residents and Fellows are eligible to apply to help defray the cost of participation in this two-day advocacy event. Please email cristina@omahamedical.com for details on how to apply
Legislative Meet and Greet
Have your voice be heard! Join us and connect with lawmakers on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Happy Hollow Country Club. RSVP by September 5th. RSVP Here
Want to become more involved in Advocacy? Have a particular area of advocacy interest? Please reach out to be added to the communications for this committee cristina@omahamedical.com
Do you have a relationship or tie to a local, state, or federal lawmaker? If so, it could be helpful to our Health and Public Policy Committee. Please contact committee chair stephanie.hartman.md@gmail.com to connect.
Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee hosted Coffee and Conversation at Stories Coffee on January 18, 2025 from 8:00-10:00 am. The featured speaker was Joann Schaefer, MD, LifeBridge Nebraska Medical Director.
The inaugural book club get together took place on June 14, 2025 at The Bookworm from 9:00-10:30 am. The <u>June book selection</u> was “Pseudoscience, An Amusing History of Crackpot Idea and Why We Love Them” by Dr. Lydia Kang. Dr. Kang was in attendance and participated in this event.
The next book club will be on September 20th, 2025 at The Bookworm from 9-10:30. The <u>September book selection</u> is “The People's Hospital, Hope and Peril in American Medicine” by Ricardo Nuila. The first book club of 2026 will be on January 10, 2026 at The Bookworm. Our <u>January book selection</u> is “Build the Life You Want-The Art and Science of Getting Happier” by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey
October Wellness Event
Meander and Gander: Mindfulness in Nature led by yoga instructor Lora McCarville at the OPPD Arboretum on the evening of October 16th, 2025.
Stay tuned for more information!
Congratulation new ACP Fellows!
Congratulations to the Nebraska Chapter's newest Fellows. 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 internist lives and practices.
Adam T. Haussler, MD, FACP
Cory Rohlfsen, MBBS, FACP
Resident Council
The role of Resident/Fellow representative involves a 1-year term with participation in 2-3 council meetings and occasional chapter events to represent your program and the interests of your peers. The Resident/Fellow representatives also serve as co-chairs of the chapter Resident/Fellow Council.
If you would like to learn more about how you can serve as the resident representative on the Nebraska Chapter Governor's Advisory Council contact cristina@omahamedical.com
Medical Student Council
The role of Student representative involves a 1-year term with participation in 2-3 council meetings and occasional chapter events to represent your program and the interests of your peers. The student representatives also serve as co-chairs of the chapter Student Council.
If you would like to learn more about how you can serve as the student representative on the Nebraska Chapter Governor's Advisory Council contact cristina@omahamedical.com
We would love to have your input on the Resident and Student Council! For information on how to join contact Cristina at cristina@omahamedical.com