Chapter Members Elected to ACP Fellowship
(March 2023) We would like to congratulate our chapter members on election to Fellow of the American College of Physicians. The distinction recognizes achievements in internal medicine.
Roger E Bidondo Gil, MD FACP
Jonathan Cordero, MD FACP
Nicole Rassi-Stella, MD FACP
Fellowship is elected upon the recommendation of peers and the review of ACP’s Credentials Subcommittee. They may now use the letters “FACP” after their name in recognition of this honor. Please join me in congratulations!
Chapter Reception at Internal Medicine Meeting 2023
(March 2023) If you’re attending IMM23, please join us at our Puerto Rico Chapter Reception—6:00-8:00 p.m., Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Marriott Grand Ballroom, Section 1.
Member Feedback is Requested on Spring 2023 Resolutions
(March 2023) Fourteen (14) resolutions will be considered at the Spring 2023 Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting. Please review each resolution and then indicate your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by the deadline your ACP Chapter Governor has requested or by March 22, whichever comes first.
Your comments will be forwarded to the Chapter Governor to be used as part of their testimony on behalf of the chapter. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Giampietro, BOG Administrator, at chapter@acpmembership.org. Thank you for your input.
(NOTE: Proposed resolutions should be considered confidential information and are intended to be viewed by ACP members only. Under no circumstances should proposed resolutions be shared with the news media or social networking media, nor should they be shared with other individuals and organizations. Proposed resolutions do not represent ACP policy.)
Call for Fall 2023 Resolutions
(February 2023) Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you'd like to suggest? If so, you might consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or chapter council.
Initiating a resolution provides ACP members an opportunity to focus attention at the ACP national level on a particular issue or topic that concerns them. Participating in the Board of Governors resolutions process provides the ACP grassroots member a voice and allows you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine.
Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. The just released ACP Board of Governors Resolutions Guide for ACP Members is now available to download and will help, too. The Guide was created to provide members a short overview of the resolutions process essentials and highlights critical ACP online resources you must use.
Once drafted, members must submit resolutions to their Governor and/or chapter council. Chapter council approval to move resolutions forward to ACP national is required. A resolution becomes a resolution of the chapter once the chapter council approves forwarding it to national. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Fall 2023 Board of Governors Meeting is March 30, 2023.
Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution.
Board of Regents Action on Fall 2022 BOG Resolutions
(November 2022) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Fall 2022 Board of Governors (BOG) meeting is now available. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the BOR.
If you have an idea you'd like to suggest to ACP, consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or local ACP chapter. Visit your ACP chapter website for more information on how to contact your Governor or chapter staff about proposing a resolution.
Congratulations to Myriam Z. Allende-Vigo MD, MACP on Mastership
(October 2022) We are excited to share that the Mastership Committee and the Board of Regents have approved Myriam Z. Allende-Vigo MD, MACP to receive recognition of being awarded a Mastership during the 2023 Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego, California.
ACP Bylaws state that Masters shall be Fellows who have been selected because of “integrity, positions of honor, impact in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine.” Masters must be highly accomplished persons demonstrating impact in practice, leadership, or in medical research. Evidence of their achievements can come from many types of endeavors, such as renown within their field and/or ACP chapter, research, education, health care initiatives, volunteerism, administrative positions, care of patients, and service to their community.
One of the goals of the American College of Physicians is to “recognize excellence and distinguished contributions to internal medicine.” As a way of achieving this goal, the College offers 21 awards and a number of Masterships each year. Annually, awardees and Masters are honored at the Convocation ceremony held during the Internal Medicine meeting.
Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner
(September 2022) I am pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2022 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 47 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet twenty Bronze criteria, seventeen Silver criteria and multiple 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. I 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.
New Advocacy Resources Available to ACP Members and Chapters
(August 2022) We would like to make you aware of two new advocacy resources available to ACP members and chapters.
Understanding Advocacy and Why We Do It - A Comprehensive Toolkit for Chapters
ACP has created an advocacy best practices toolkit to support engagement in and the efficacy of chapter-level advocacy at the state and federal level. This comprehensive toolkit breaks down the different methods and mediums for advocacy engagement and highlights all the programs and resources offered by ACP to make the most of chapters’ advocacy efforts. This toolkit is only accessible to ACP members.
Reproductive Health Toolkit Now Updated
ACP's toolkit for chapters to utilize in navigating issues surrounding abortion rights and related policies in their states following the overturning of Roe v. Wade has been updated. The toolkit now includes sample letters that chapters can use to advocate with state officials and information on recent federal activity.
For questions regarding these toolkits, please submit all requests through this questionnaire to ensure we can track inquiries and respond in the most timely and efficient manner."
Are you a member of the Advocates for Internal Medicine Network (AIMn)? Learn more here.
Wellness Strategies from Dr. Melba Feliciano
(August 2021) In a recent newsletter article, Melba Feliciano, MD, FACP, FACE, an ACP Certified Wellness Champion and member of our Chapter, shared the following:
Self-care is essential to be successful as a physician and to prevent the Burnout Syndrome which affects from 40 to 70% of physicians during residency training. According to World Health Organization, Burnout is an occupational syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Self-care and coping strategies to deal with stress at work and at home are core elements of the survival skills during residency years.
To prepare for the day, have less stress and be more effective, I will share a Monk's perspective to a productive morning:
- Upon awakening: Get up early, get centered, reflect on death, and plan for the day: Breathe...
- Make your bed in a mindful way, with intention: this represents, peace, order, and discipline training.
- Meditate: Get your mind still and grounded. Stillness is the key to success.
- Do an act of generosity: purify your mind
- Prepare breakfast (for you and others)
- Be grateful for life each morning. Prepare for the day in peace and grounded for the daily challenges and surprises.
ACP's Online CME & MOC Learning Center adds information on state-specific CME requirements
(Spring 2021) Wondering about Puerto Rico's CME requirements? You can now visit the Online CME & MOC Learning Center and click on the "State CME Requirements" tab to learn all about what you need to do. Note: You must be logged into your ACP Online account to access this information.