Chapter News

Chapter Podcast: ACP Rule Out

(April 2023) We are very excited to announce the release of the first episode of our ACP Rhode Island Chapter podcast, ACP Rule Out (Hosted by Residents from the Rhode Island Chapter).

July 1st is the day when a medical student transition to a resident. Such a transition comes with challenges that can be overcome when we are well-prepared. A great conversation led by Dr. Antonie Salloum with Dr. Alay Nanavati and Dr. Harrison Bai about the transition and sharing their experiences so far.

Enjoy listening, and looking forward to your feedback.

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1d8h397umji9lR8z8OtxNM?si=Uiu9N72xTK-NCnVina5fFg

Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/july-1st-medical-students/id1579779795?i=1000609796949

The ACP Rule Out podcast is meant to be an open platform where anyone can be invited to speak on any topic with our hosts Dr. Raad Muhaisen, Dr. Harrison Bai & Dr. Alay Nanavati. Generally, the podcast focuses on two topics: Resident Life Experiences & Resident Medical Knowledge.

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.

Alexander Diaz de Villalvilla, MD FACP

Ahmed Samir Ahmed Elshazly, MD FACP

Hanns Christoph Stretz, MD FACP

Matthew L Lorenz, 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 Speakers at Internal Medicine Meeting 2023

(March 2023) We would like to draw your attention to our Internal Medicine Meeting 2023 local speakers.

If you’re attending IMM23, please join us at our Rhode Island Reception—6:30-8:30 p.m., Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Marina Kitchen.

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.

Nominations for Chapter Awards

RI ACP is pleased to include membership in selecting Chapter award recipients again this year. We will continue to have six awards open to residents, members, fellows and masters. Any member of RI ACP is eligible to make nominations.  Awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting, March 15, 2023.

Awards (descriptions below):

1. Milton Hamolsky Lifetime Achievement Award
2. Irving Beck Laureate Award
3. Distinguished Mentor Award
4. Resident/Fellow Recognition Award for Leadership
5. Woman Physician of the Year
6. Benjamin L. Sapers, MD Memorial Award

NOMINATING PROCESS FOR ALL AWARDS: Nominating letter should include information useful in supporting consideration.

• Second letter of support
• CV, optional but encouraged

Nominations for all awards are due by January 15, 2023.

AWARDS COMMITTEE: If you are interested in selecting the award recipients, please let me know. Send all materials to riacpinfo@gmail.com

RI ACP Awards for 2023

Milton Hamolsky Lifetime Achievement Award

This American College of Physicians-authorized laureate award is presented annually to a physician in practice who is a senior College member, usually at the Fellow or Master level. The award is given in recognition of academic, clinical, research, and/or administrative excellence to a physician who epitomizes the attributes of the award’s namesake, Dr. Milton Hamolsky. This individual should exemplify the College's mission "to enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.” The award may be given posthumously. To be considered, nominees must be Fellows/Masters as of June 30th, 2022.

One nominating and at least one supporting letter should address:

• What qualities the nominee demonstrates exemplify the College's mission?
• What significant contributions or achievements has the nominee made in any of the above areas?

Irving Beck Laureate Award

Laureate Award recognizes a Fellow or Master of the College who has demonstrated, by his/her example and conduct an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care, education, and research, and/or service to their community, their chapter, and the ACP. Nominees may have outstanding achievements in any of a wide variety of areas, including leadership, medical practice, research, teaching, publications, advocacy, and/or volunteerism. This individual should exemplify the College's mission "to enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine." A Laureate nominee is usually a senior physician who has:

• Been a Fellow or Master of the College for at least 15 to 20 years

• Achieved a long history of excellence and peer approval in the specialty of internal medicine
• Served the chapter and community with distinction or in some clearly definable manner
• To be considered, nominees must be Fellows/Masters as of June 30th, 2022

One nominating and at least one supporting letter should address:

• What qualities the nominee demonstrates exemplify the College's mission?
• What significant contributions or achievements has the nominee made in any of the above areas?

Distinguished Mentor Award

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her career commitment to mentoring and significantly impacting the education and careers of students, residents, or colleagues. The nominee should be highly regarded for integrity, professionalism, altruism, leadership, a sustained interest in mentoring and would appropriately be described as a role model. The candidate should have a track record for mentoring members of the RIACP and implementing ideas/programs that promote faculty and trainee success.

The nominee should be an ACP member in good standing at the member, fellow, or master level as of June 30th, 2022. One nominating and at least one supporting letter should address:

• What qualities the nominee demonstrated exemplify the College's mission?
• What significant contributions has the nominee made to the careers of students, residents, and colleagues?

Resident/Fellow Recognition Award for Leadership

The Resident/Fellow Leadership Award recognizes a resident or fellow with qualities that exemplify the College's mission to "enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine." By virtue of their compassionate and dedicated character, the candidate should be engaged in projects or programs enhancing the quality, access, or delivery of healthcare on a local or regional level, or contributing to the education and wellness of patients, physicians, or the community. Candidates may be nominated by peers or attending physicians/program directors.

Eligible residents/fellows must be an ACP member at the member as of June 30th, 2022. One nomination letter and at least one supporting letter should address the following:

• How the resident’s contributions have specifically impacted healthcare access and quality and/or the wellness and education of specific groups of people.
• Describe the characteristics the resident demonstrates and give examples to support these characteristics
• Evidence of how the resident has fostered excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine

Woman Physician of the Year

This award honors an outstanding woman physician with a distinguished career in areas of exceptional patient care, medical education and/or research. The nominee should demonstrate the characteristics of strength, passion, and perseverance, as well as evidence of the ability to empower other women physicians. Eligible women physicians must be an ACP member at the member, fellow, or master level as of June 30th, 2022. One nominating and at least one supporting letter should address:

• How the physician’s achievements have specifically allowed her to distinguish herself in the areas of patient care, education, and/or research
• Describe the characteristics she demonstrates and give examples to support these characteristics
• Evidence of how she has empowered other women physicians through her contributions to their own careers

Benjamin L. Sapers, MD Memorial Award

Benjamin L. Sapers, MD was an esteemed scholar and educator for generations of medical students and residents in Rhode Island for over 15 years. He was a renaissance thinker whose unique teaching style combined encyclopedic intellectual curiosity and recall of esoterica with quick wit and a disarming sense of humor. Dr. Sapers’s passion for pedagogy and academic rigor were only transcended by his empathy and humanism, with profound feeling for the person as patient.

The Memorial Award honors the memory and distinguished career of Dr. Sapers and is bestowed annually. Eligible nominees must be a member of the ACP at the member or fellow level as of June 30th, 2022. They should be an early-mid career physician (5-15 years post-residency). One nominating and at least one supporting letter should address:

• How the nominee’s achievements distinguish them as an outstanding teacher and scholar, and their broad intellectual curiosity
• Describe their characteristics of academic rigor and exchange, modeling enriching and rigorous discussion with colleagues
• Evidence of their empathy and humanism, superlative communication with patients and families, and discussion of the human condition and sick role.

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.

Chapter Members Elected to ACP Fellowship

(November 2022) 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.

Laura Edmonds, MD, FACP
Vidya V Gopinath, MD, FACP
Christina Bortz, 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 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. 

Congratulations New Rhode Island Chapter Fellows

• Anneliese Beaubrun, MD, FACP
• Meghan Geary, MD, FACP
• Robert Velasco, MD, FACP

(July 2022) Congratulations to the Rhode Island Chapter's newest Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. 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.

BOR Action on Spring '22 BOG Resolutions

(June 2022) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Spring 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 our chapter.

ACP Rhode Island Foodie Scavenger Hunt  

(June 2022) Amid surging COVID cases last winter, the ACP Rhode Island Chapter Early Career Physician group didn’t feel comfortable meeting in-person and were even less enthusiastic about meeting virtually.  

Instead, they created a diverse list of restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and black-owned businesses throughout the state of Rhode Island. Members were challenged to travel to ten locations and send photographic evidence of their visits. The first person to send proof won a Rhode Island Quahog pennant. The chapter was delighted to see people go in small groups, often of Early Career Physicians, to these restaurants and check out new places!  

We are proud to announce the winner of our Early Career Physicians Jan culinary exploration is general internist Meghan Geary! She added these adventures to her full plate of being an academic generalist, women's health specialist and co-director of the Brown Medical School's longitudinal curriculum. In addition to rock climbing, yoga and hiking, she managed to explore 4 restaurants on our list! And the competition was fierce, she squeaked ahead and won by a morsel! 

Congratulations to the New Rhode Island Chapter Fellow

• Veenu Garewal Wilks, MD, FACP

(March 2022) Congratulations to the Rhode Island Chapter's newest Fellow. Fellowship in the College is an honor. 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.

BOR Action on Fall '21 BOG Resolutions

(December 2021) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Fall 2021 Board of Governors (BOG) virtual 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 our chapter.

Congratulations New Rhode Island Chapter Fellows

• Luke Alexander Michael Barre, MD, FACP
• Sumera A. Bukhari, MD, FACP
• Saud A. Dhillon, MD, FACP
• John Oghene, MD, FACP
• Ankur Shah, MD, FACP

(December 2021) Congratulations to the Rhode Island Chapter's newest Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. 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.

Congratulations to Dr. Bledsoe on his mastership

Congratulations to Thomas A. Bledsoe, MD, MACP, Riverside, Rhode Island the newest Mastership awardee of the American College of Physicians (MACP) for the Rhode Island chapter. 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. MACPs represent a very small percentage of college membership. Join me in congratulating him on this tremendous accomplishment.

RI ACP Chapter has an Anti-Racism Statement

(August 2021) Thanks to Drs. Vidya Gopinath and Sarah Freeman, RI ACP Chapter has an Anti-Racism Statement which is below. We don't want this to be words only. We want this statement and the commitments within to motivate us to be a better and more diverse chapter. We commit to assessing our success toward meeting these goals at the Governor's Council Meetings.

RI ACP stands with national ACP in our commitment to anti-racism. As an organization of nearly 1000 physicians members, we commit to addressing racial disparities in health care both nationally and in Rhode Island. Hispanic Rhode Islanders are five times more likely to be uninsured (24%) compared to their white counterparts (5%). Black RI residents are twice as likely to be uninsured (9%) compared to the white population, but over 20% do not have a physician. In the state of RI, there have been 19,000 covid cases per 100,000 Hispanic individuals compared to 12,800 cases among Black individuals and 7,800 among white individuals. We recognize there is no biologic basis for these differences but rather these outcomes are due to systemic racism and bias in the access to and delivery of health care.

We apologize for our lack of attention and failure to address systemic racism. Within our organization, we recognize that we must prioritize diversity among leadership and membership in RI ACP.

RI Chapter of ACP is committed to enacting change to become an anti-racist organization with the following actions:

1. We will work to achieve greater diversity in membership as well as increase involvement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in all leadership roles in the RI chapter.
2. We will increase involvement with Warren Alpert Medical School to support advancement of BIPOC medical students and help facilitate diverse participation with ACP at both the local and national level.
3. We will advocate for legislation that supports health equity and access to care. We will strengthen our partnerships with other local medical organizations to support a cohesive anti-racist policy agenda.

New Fellows

(July 2021) Congratulations to the following members who have advanced to ACP Fellowship:

July
Kyla A Dewar, MD FACP

March
Joanne Pauline Szczygiel Cunha, MD FACP

Rhode Island Chapter Delivers Food to Residents and Hospitalists 

Dear Chapter Members:

(Spring 2021) Dr. Kelly McGarry, our Chapter Governor, shared the following:

We are in a new world and new words have entered our vocabulary, like “social distancing,” “quarantine,” and “isolation.” Not words that make us feel more connected, but a necessary part of our current existence.

I am sure I speak for many when I acknowledge a multitude of feelings - sadness, anxiety, anger, loneliness and fear. Over the past few weeks watching so many rise to this crisis and chaos, have experienced so many other feelings to offset the negative - heroism, sacrifice, pride, warmth, and human kindness. I hope we can remember the acts of kindness and caring we have all witnessed and to bring those feelings out and share them with others as coronavirus fades (I certainly hope that is soon).

Thanks to all for all you are doing to care for your patients during this unique time in history. I want those in our community whose lives have been personally affected by coronavirus to know that our hearts go out to you and your loved ones. In some hospitals, the bulk of the care of COVID-19 patients is currently being provided by our pulmonary/critical care colleagues and hospitalists. I want to give them a special shout out of thanks for all of the hard work they are doing.

The Chapter wanted to show thanks to all the residents and hospitalists on the front lines across the state, including the Miriam Hospital, Kent County Hospital, RI Hospital, the Roger Williams Medical Center and the Veterans Hospital, by donating dinner to them last week.

Remember, the ACP is here to make a difference for all RI physicians and I welcome input and ideas from individuals even during this crisis. Please see below for helpful links.

Thanks again for all you are doing and please stay safe. Please remember to take care of yourselves.

Welcome to our new HPPC Co-Chairs and Resident Council and IMIG Leaders

(February 2021) We are grateful to the following members of our Chapter for stepping forward into leadership roles.

HPPC Co-Chairs

Drs. Kenneth K. Chen, MD, FACP (Division Director of Obstetric & Consultative Medicine, Women & Infants Hospital, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School), Julio Defillo-Draiby, MD (Director of Clinical Programs, Lead Geriatrician for the Acute Care of Older Adults, Kent Hospital, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School), and Jonathan Leviss, MD, FACP, FAMIA (Physician Site Lead—Prairie Ave. Center Providence Community Health Centers, Clinical Asst. Professor of Medicine, Brown University) as our new and very enthusiastic co-chairs of our Health and Public Policy Committee. They have met together, exchanged ideas, and are hoping to hold an HPPC meeting for current committee members and anyone else wishing to join. If anyone has any ideas they wish to share with them at Ken Chen , Julio Defillo , or Jonathan Leviss .

Resident Council Leaders

Kashyap Cherala (Lifespan/RIH/TMH), Dany Debs (Roger Williams) and Christelle Nzugang (Kent County)

Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) Leaders

Jane Chen, James Heinl, Kanika Malani and Aneeqah Naeem