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In this Issue:
- Governor's Message
- 2023 Puerto Rico Chapter Annual Meeting
- ACP Puerto Rico Chapter Dressed in Blue
- Wellness Corner
Edwin A. Alicea, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message
We are very proud of the activities celebrated in the first trimester of the year. The 2023 Puerto Rico Chapter Annual Meeting was very successful. The participation and the feedback received injected energy into our organization, elevating the bar for our future events. During the Business Meeting, and for the first time, two excellent professionals received the resident and mentor of the year awards, and Dra. Myriam Allende received the Chapter Laureate Award. Congratulations to them and all nominees!
2023 Puerto Rico Chapter Annual Meeting
On March 2-4, 2023, we celebrated our Annual Meeting at La Concha Renaissance Resort in San Juan. More than a hundred physicians participated in this comprehensive 18 CME Credits internal medicine review offered by an outstanding local and guest faculty. A special thanks to Scientific Committee led by Dr. Hilton Franqui for all the effort in coordinating this remarkable scientific program.
Board of Directors 2023
Business Meeting News
During the meeting, Dr. Alicea recognized the Council Members for their support and commitment to the Chapter and announced that our Chapter received the 2022 Chapter Excellence Award Gold Level. This award acknowledges truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. Dr. Myriam Allende received the 2023 Chapter Laureate Award, which is a special recognition for her outstanding contribution to the Internal Medicine specialty and our Chapter. Also, for the first time, we were recognized members with the Resident of the Year and the Mentor of the Year Awards.
Our Nominees and Awardees
Resident of the Year: The nominees for Resident of the Year were: Christian Camacho Ramírez, MD, Mayaguez Medical Center, Darcy Diago Blanco, MD, San Lucas Episcopal Hospital, Valerie Maldonado Torres, MD, San Juan Municipal Hospital, Leonardo Ramírez Botana, MD, La Concepción Hospital, Oscar Rodríguez Ayala, MD, Dr. Ramón Ruiz Arnau University Hospital. The winner was Dr. Patricia Rivera from the Caribbean VA Healthcare System
Mentor of the Year: The nominees for Mentor of the Year were: Xiomara Cruz, MD, Mayagüez Medical Center, Miguel Colón, MD, San Juan Municipal Hospital, Carlos Cortes, MD FACP, VA Caribbean Healthcare System, María del Mar Torres, MD, La Concepción Hospital, Stephen Bury, MD, San Lucas Episcopal Hospital. The winner was Dr. Eddie Rodriguez from Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital.
2023 Chapter Laureate Awardee
Myriam Allende-Vigo, MD, MBA, MACP, FACE
The ACP Chapter Laureate Award honors those Fellows and Masters of the College with exemplary conduct and commitment to excellence in medical care, education, and service to their community, their Chapter, and the American College of Physicians. This year, we recognize these qualities, commitment, and leadership in our past Governor of the ACP PR Chapter, Dr. Myriam Allende Vigo.
Dr. Allende Vigo graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1974, Magna Cum Laude, and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University District Hospital in 1977 and her Fellowship in Endocrinology at the University District Hospital UPR School of Medicine from 1977-1979. She continued as faculty in the Endocrinology section at the University of PR. Early in her career, she showed commitment to education in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, serving as Clinical Instructor in Medicine and becoming professor of Medicine at the University of PR in 2003 and Chief of the Endocrinology and Metabolism section at the University of PR from 2003 to 2015. Dr. Allende Vigo completed a master's in business administration (MBA) at the University of PR in 2003, occupying leadership positions at the UPR School of Medicine such, as the President of the Medical Faculty of the UPR School of Medicine from 1998 to 2002.
Her career has been characterized by strong leadership and commitment to excellence in education and to strengthening the relationship of the PR Society of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians with National and International Organizations. She was President of the PR Society of Endocrinology from 2001-2003 and leader of the International Committee of the American Society of Clinical Endocrinologists from 2003 to 2007 as vice chair and chair of the Committee. She has been a Member of the AACE Board from 2007-2010 and President of the PR Chapter of the American Society of Clinical Endocrinologists from 2008 to 2014. She is Board certified in Internal Medicine and in Endocrinology and Metabolism. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator with a key role in the education of allied healthcare professionals in Diabetes. She has been director of the annual comprehensive course for Diabetes for Health care professionals from 2009 to the present, contributing to the ADA certification of Diabetes educators on the island. She founded the Eastern Center for Diabetes Education, where she provides services in Endocrinology and collaborates with allied health professionals in the management of Diabetes mellitus as a center of excellence for Diabetes Care.
She has been involved in Research, particularly Diabetes mellitus, and has extensive publications in peer-reviewed journals on different topics in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine. She has been a speaker at National and International meetings. She has traveled extensively to scientific meetings representing our PR Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes and to learn about advances in endocrinology all over the world. She received many honors and recognitions as the Outstanding Clinician in AACE in 2006 and the Ethics Award from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists in 2016. She has been active in Primary Care physicians' education in Diabetes as chair of the AACE Diabetes Day for Primary Care Physicians and Diabetes University online as an instrument for the education of Primary Care physicians in Diabetes mellitus advancements.
Dr. Allende Vigo recently published a book on the History of Endocrinology in PR in collaboration with the PR Society of Endocrinology members.
She continues to lead, learn, and be present as an educator and a role model for our young physicians and leaders.
Today the ACP Laureate Award honors her leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence in medical care, education to medical students, physicians, and allied health professionals, and her service to her community, to the PR Chapter of the ACP, and to the American College of Physicians. Her strong commitment to Medicine, education, and administration, her multiple professional endeavors and achievements, have been celebrated and recognized by her colleagues. Her role as a mother and mentor is celebrated by her three children and four grandchildren. She is an example that with dedication, commitment, courage, and a clear direction, everything is possible. The sky is the limit.
Dr. Melba Feliciano, Dr. Myriam Allende and Dr. Edwin Alicea
ACP Puerto Rico Chapter Dressed in Blue
On March 3, 2023, our Chapter joined efforts with the Puerto Rico Colorectal Cancer Coalition in their annual Colorectal Cancer Campaign Dress in Blue.
Dress In Blue @ Annual Meeting
Dress in Blue @ Internal Medicine Residency Hospital La Concepción
Dress in Blue @ Internal Medicine Residency Caribbean VA Hospital
Wellness Corner
Melba Feliciano Emmanuelli MD FACP, FACE
Welcome spring! Celebrate our planet Earth! Connect with Nature!
Every month the ACP Wellness Committee members meet at the Botanical Garden with good intentions: to enjoy nature and relax, to meet colleagues in a relaxing environment, to exercise, and promote physical and mental wellness. Connection with Nature and its sensory experience makes us happier.
Watch the colors, smells, and forms, feel the breeze, watch the insects and the butterflies, and listen to the birds singing. Watch the ducks swimming, watch the trees, and feel their embrace.
In this unique scenario, dedicate time for recognition of the gifts of nature in a moment of Gratitude.
Scientists have found that regular visits to the outdoors promote wellness, relaxation, less stress, fatigue, and ruination, and more creativity. Brain imaging studies show that walking in nature decreases neural activity in areas associated with anxiety and depression.
Green is a necessary color related to growth, health, and nature. For your enjoyment of colors, consider this mindfulness project. Visualize a special area in your home and create your own garden with its unique plants and pots. This informal mindfulness practice will contribute to your happiness, creativity, and health. Connect with nature for inner peace, for less stress, for more concentration, and connection with our senses.
Transitions time
For the last four years, I have had the pleasure of being the Wellness Champion for our ACP local Chapter. It has been a significant experience that aligns with my personal mission of promoting mental and physical wellness among physicians with a personal challenge of practicing as possible what I preach. The pandemic has been a challenging time. Continuous learning, wellness support, and a positive attitude in our medical professionals have been crucial to resilience and equanimity. Our Zoom Wellness Program was a success, and I thank you all for your participation.
At this time, I welcome our chapter's new Wellness Champion, Dr. Luzimar Conaway, an excellent leader of our Wellness Program. I will continue collaborating with the Wellness Committee and supporting the Wellness efforts in our Chapter.
Thanks for your participation in our activities and … as a friendly reminder: The botanical garden welcomes you to enjoy nature's gifts, walking with the ACP once every month, the third Saturday of the month at 8:30 am.
Find peace of mind, joy, and health in Nature.
See you in San Diego from April 29 to April 31, 2023, at ACP Internal Medicine 2023
PUERTO RICO CHAPTER RECEPTION at 2023 ACP INTERNAL MEDICINE MEETING
Our chapter members and guests are invited to meet and greet each other for a reception on
Friday, April 28 @ 6:00 PM at the Marriott Marquis Hotel
YOUR PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT!
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Editorial Committee:
Edwin Alicea, MD, FACP, FACE
Melba Feliciano, MD, FACP, FACE
Mrs. Rina Vega