New Mexico Governor's Newsletter October 2021

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Heather C. Brislen, MD, FACP, ACP Governor

Heather C. Brislen, MD, FACP, ACP Governor

 


Governor's Message

Dear Colleagues –

For this fall newsletter, I am taking a break from writing about COVID in New Mexico, and instead I'm focusing on our upcoming annual meeting – November 5-6 – right around the corner!!

If you have attended NMACP Annual Scientific Meetings in the past, you will notice that we have made some pretty dramatic changes to the traditional meeting structure lately. This is in part a response to COVID and getting used to our new Zoom abilities, and also to right-size programming for the chapter's current membership. Instead of one-size-fits-all, the education committee has been moving towards hosting and promoting a rolling docket of smaller-event programs (book groups, UNM Grand Rounds, ACP wellness series, and journal club collaboration with ACP Colorado, just to name a few!)

At the same time, we've been working to make our traditional annual meeting nimbler and more approachable for all members - and especially our colleagues outside of Albuquerque and trainees from the southern half of the state. To recognize all of our members work and sacrifice during COVID, and encourage as many as possible to engage with us in this new format, THIS YEAR’S MEETING IS BEING OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE! Please join us!

We hope that this year's program hits a sweet spot of Zoom-based, high value CME content combined with in-person community networking and showcasing our dazzling trainees. There are three main sections:

DAY 1 - Friday afternoon, November 5, will be our CME-driven educational conference, all via Zoom. Our keynotes are on the medical consequences of climate change and a New Mexico health policy update. These are alongside familiar old favorites; updates in inpatient and outpatient medicine and Thieves' Market. See the agenda and register for the NMACP virtual, CME portion of the annual meeting HERE

DAY 2 – also in the afternoon, Saturday, November 6. We will have an IN-PERSON research competition – posters and oral vignettes – at the Domenici Center at UNM. Chapter awards and the annual membership business meeting and elections will follow immediately after, and that portion of the meeting will be viewable by zoom as a hybrid option for anyone that can't be with us in person that day. We are recruiting judges for the poster and vignette competitions NOW – please consider volunteering as a judge HERE. Lunch and Snacks will be provided for this portion of the meeting –See the agenda HERE (click Day 2 on the agenda) registration details available HERE.

DAY 2 Networking and Reception – stay tuned for details about an in-person, outdoor (with heat!) reunion and reception at a local brewery in Albuquerque on Saturday Evening.

Saturday morning is free and flexible – if you are in Albuquerque and would like to join colleagues for an early morning walk, or breakfast, or wellness activity (Yoga, anyone?) We will send out suggestions via email, and feel free to coordinate a group on your own!

More details on all of this will be coming to you via email and will also be at the main meeting website.

I want to express enormous thanks and kudos to Eva Angeli, our education committee chair. Eva's dynamic vision for the chapter's programming – for the annual meeting and much more is in many ways defining who we are as a chapter. I have been so delighted to see so many new faces at our new programs. In the coming months, keep an eye out for a JEDI (that's Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) program on “code-switching”, a podcast on the new Zia Accountable Care Organization, and POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) training, all in development.

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Announcements and Accolades!

Candidates for NMACP leadership positions – (elections at the annual business meeting, Nov 6)

8 Candidates for 8 positions on the NMACP council (terms ending fall 2023):

Justin Miller

Annashia Shera

Krystal Chan

Betty Chang

Eileen Barrett

Melissa Cline

Connor Tryon

Theresa Ronan

Candidates for NMACP officers (terms ending fall 2023) :

President - Annashia Shera

Secretary - Melissa Cline

Treasurer – Connor Tryon

Did you know that July 19 was declared Dr. Jonathan Iralu day? Our brilliant infectious disease colleague, frequent presenter to NMACP, and long-time ACP member, Dr. Iralu was one of just a handful of health care heroes honored by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for their important work during #COVID19. CONGRATULATIONS, DR. IRALU!! So very well deserved!

Dr. Eileen Barrett has been nominated for the position of Chair-Elect for the ACP Board of Regents for the coming year, 2022-2023, and she will serve as BOR Chair following that. Congratulations, Eileen! Your chapter is so proud of you, and grateful for everything that you do for us and for ACP!

Dr. Sarah Combs is the new residency director at UNM, taking over for Dr. Jernigan, who did an amazing job for the last several years. Thank you for your service, Dr. Jernigan and congratulations, Dr. Combs!

In closing, thank you all for your membership in our New Mexico Chapter. I hope that you can join us at the annual meeting in November AND at the programs that are currently in the works! Please be in touch with me if there is something the chapter can do for you – or – if there is something that you are doing that I can highlight here! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Fall.

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ACP Announces 2021-22 Recipients of Mastership and National Awards

Congratulations to Nestor Sosa, MD, MACP, the newest New Mexico Chapter ACP Master. MACP is one of the most prestigious awards in the college, for those fellows of the college who demonstrate integrity, the utmost professional behaviors, excellence in the practice of medicine, and significant impact on the profession. 

Also, congratulations to George Comerci, MD, MACP, also a new Master of ACP, for the Colorado chapter.

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New Ideas and Opinions Article Suggests Ways to Support the Well-Being of the Physician Workforce in the COVID-19 Environment

Annals of Internal Medicine published a new Ideas and Opinions article “ Getting Through COVID-19: Keeping Clinicians in the Workforce, “ authored by ACP leaders Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP, FRCP, FIDSA; Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; Susan Thompson Hingle, MD; and Cynthia D. Smith, MD. The authors are sending a direct message to employers at health systems, hospitals, and clinical practices to create strategies to support the well-being of the physician workforce during this pandemic. It is important for physicians to feel they work in an environment where they can safely care for patients while simultaneously supporting one another. The article recommends a variety of different methods and practices for employers to put in place that prioritize the physical and mental health of physicians and clinicians and go beyond the typical suggestions of yoga and meditation.

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ACP Partners with Women's Wellness Through Equity and Leadership to Create the New ‘Women in Medicine’ Supplement

ACP has partnered with the Women's Wellness Through Equity and Leadership (WEL) consortium on a new ‘Women in Medicine’ supplement which is published in the September 2021 issue of Pediatrics. The supplement is a multi-specialty collection of articles based on the work of the WEL program, founded by ACP and five other medical associations, which explores challenges to improving gender equity and strategies for advancing women in medicine.

The articles address the following points:

  • history, challenges experienced by, and benefits of a diverse workforce;
  • advancing women to leadership positions through individual actions and institutional reform;
  • building inclusive work environments.
  • using metrics to promote equitable work environments; and
  • supporting advancement and retention of women physicians.

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