Puerto Rico Governor's Newsletter December 2025
In this Issue:
- GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
- And the Winners Are…
- 2025 MEDICAL SCHOOLS DILEMMA & DOCTORS DILEMMA COMPETITION
- EARLY CAREER PHYSICIANS
- STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING
- UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
- GET INVOLVED
Edwin A. Alicea, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
On behalf of the American College of Physicians, Puerto Rico Chapter, it is my pleasure to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic activities conducted this year, including the Annual Scientific Meeting and the 2025 Clinical Vignettes Competition and Doctor's Dilemma Competition. These events continue to highlight the intellectual rigor, professionalism, and commitment to excellence that define our medical students, residents, and their dedicated mentors.
This year also marked an important milestone with the introduction of the 1st Medical Student Dilemma. This competition provided medical students with a unique opportunity to engage in critical thinking and apply medical knowledge in a format tailored to their level of training and experience. The enthusiasm, preparation, and performance demonstrated by the participants were truly commendable and reflect a bright future for our profession.
I extend my sincere congratulations to all the winners and participants of the Clinical Vignettes Competition, Doctor's Dilemma, and the inaugural Medical Student Dilemma.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the faculty mentors, judges, and organizers whose dedication and support made these initiatives such a success. We look forward to continuing to foster educational programs that inspire clinical excellence, scholarship, and leadership in internal medicine.
As we close the year, I wish you and your families a joyful holiday season filled with peace, health, and happiness. Happy Holidays and best wishes for a successful and fulfilling New Year!
And the Winners Are…
Over 175 attendees participated in this year's Clinical Vignettes & Research Abstracts Competition & 2025 Doctor's Dilemma®, held on November 8, 2025, at the Embassy Suites, Isla Verde. This year, we had 84 abstracts accepted, divided into ten oral presentations, 68 clinical vignette posters, and six research posters. Special thanks to Dr. Hilton Franqui, chair of the Scientific Committee, the Puerto Rico Chapter Scientific Committee members, and the judges for their contribution to the success of this event.
Congratulations to all our winners!
RESEARCH POSTER
Dr. Marielisa Cabrera Sánchez – University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, Early Clues for Leptospirosis: A Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary Center in Southern Puerto Rico to Improve Early Screening and Predict Disease Severity of Leptospirosis.
CLINICAL POSTER PRESENTATION
1st Place
Dr. Paola Alicea – University of Puerto Rico, Spontaneous Intramuscular Hemorrhage in Refractory Polymyositis: A Rare and Fatal Complication
2nd place
Dr. Julio Vega Torres – VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Discordant HIT Testing in Critical Illness: Argatroban-Responsive Thrombosis Despite Negative Functional Assay
3rd place
Dr. Belissa Lopez – San Juan City Hospital, Pneumonia-induced Pandemonium: A Neuropsychiatric Complication of Respiratory Infection
Dr. Sherley Baez – Universidad Central del Caribe, A Silent Spiral: Fatal Thrombotic Microangiopathy in a Patient with Acute Pancreatitis
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
1st Place
Dr. Yadiris Vazquez – Universidad de Puerto Rico, Fatal Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Secondary to Macrophage Activation Syndrome in a Patient with Adult-Onset Still's Disease
2nd Place
Dr. Paola Alicea – Universidad de Puerto Rico, Atypical Adult-Onset Moyamoya Disease Presenting as CNS Vasculitis: A Diagnostic Challenge
3rd Place
Dr. Alexandra Rodil – Hospital Damas, Yellow Plaques in the Colon: Strongyloides Stercoralis–Associated Eosinophilic Colitis After Hurricane Flood Exposure
2025 MEDICAL SCHOOLS DILEMMA & DOCTORS DILEMMA COMPETITION
This year, for the first time, we proudly hosted the Medical Schools Doctors' Dilemma Competition, featuring teams from all four medical schools on the island. Congratulations to the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine team for winning this inaugural challenge.
In the Doctors' Dilemma Competition, we were pleased to welcome two new participating residency programs: Hospital Menonita Cayey, and Hospital Pavía Arecibo, bringing the total to ten competing teams. Congratulations to the San Juan City Hospital Residency Program, the champions of this year's event, who will go on to represent our Chapter at the 2026 National Competition in San Francisco, California.
EARLY CAREER PHYSICIANS
On October 22, 2025, the Early Career Committee, led by Dr. William Marrero, hosted the third webinar in the series “Transitioning from Training to Private Practice.” This session featured Mrs. Jennifer Olivera, CEO and Founder of MedCredentials, who provided an insightful discussion on navigating the medical credentialing process in Puerto Rico.
STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING
A well-defined strategic plan is vital to guiding our Chapter's goals, activities, and long-term sustainability. It aligns leadership and staff in a shared understanding of our priorities and reinforces our mission to deliver meaningful value to our members.
On September 6, 2025, the Chapter hosted its annual Strategic Planning Meeting, gathering a diverse and dynamic group of ACP members. Participants included current Council members, the Governor-elect, medical students, early career physicians, residents, and "Big M" members.
Together, the group explored the key opportunities and challenges facing our organization and identified a series of strategic action items that will guide the Council's work in the coming year. These insights will play a crucial role in shaping our Chapter's direction and strengthening our service to members.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
2026 Puerto Rico Scientific Meeting
Save The Date: Chapter Reception
Our chapter reception at the 2026 Internal Medicine Meeting April 16 -18, in San Francisco, CA will be April 17th, 2026 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
GET INVOLVED
Get involved with the ACP activities and participate in our mission for education and service in Internal Medicine.
Your attendance will contribute to the success of our activity and our ACP Puerto Rico Chapter!
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Editorial Committee:
Edwin Alicea, MD FACP
Mrs. Rina Vega
Luzimar Conaway, MD, FACP