Chapter News

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.

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.

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.

Jonathan Andrew Aun, DO FACP
MAJ Ryan P Collier, MD FACP
LT COL Jason Cromar, MD FACP
Sarah Schall, 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 – Silver Winner

(September 2022) I am pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Silver Level of the 2022 Chapter Excellence Award! Only 14 chapters received the Silver Award. The award recognizes chapters that achieve excellence in chapter management. In order to achieve the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet twenty Bronze criteria and seventeen Silver criteria. Criteria include such activities as undertaking efforts to increase advocacy efforts, collaborating with stakeholders to increase visibility of the ACP, holding competitions for members, providing chapter financial reports to members, having Medical Student and Resident/Fellow members on the Governor's Advisory council, retaining transitional and unpaid members, giving awards to chapter members. 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.

We Request Your Feedback on the Proposed Fall 2022 Board of Governors Resolutions

(August 2022) We would like to request your feedback regarding resolutions that will be considered at the Fall 2022 Board of Governors Meeting. The resolutions have been posted on ACP Online for your review and cover an array of topics such as supporting paid sick leave for U.S. workers, covering insulin pumps under CMS Part B for insulin dependent diabetics, and integrating a health equity framework into methods for developing ACP clinical guidelines.

After considering the intent of each resolution and how it fits with the College’s Mission and Goals, please provide your feedback on each resolution and indicate your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by August 31. Your input will be used as part of testimony on behalf of the chapter.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide comments regarding these resolutions. By providing your feedback on the Board of Governors resolutions, you have helped to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine. Please visit the chapter’s Web site after the Fall 2022 Board of Governors meeting for updates.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Applications Now Open to Apply for the Million Hearts® 2022 Hypertension Control Challenge

(August 2022) The Million Hearts® 2022 initiative is now accepting applications for the Hypertension Control Challenge and encourages ACP members to apply. ACP is a partner in the Million Hearts Campaign, a national initiative that aims to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes by reducing hypertension and implementing evidence-based strategies to improve cardiovascular health.

The Hypertension Control Challenge identifies and spotlights health care professionals, practices, both solo and group, and health care systems that have achieved nationally laudable hypertension control rates. Applicants that have achieved hypertension control rates of at least 80% over a 12 month period are eligible to enter for possible recognition as a Champion. To learn more about the rules and eligibility requirements to become a 2022 Million Hearts ® Hypertension Control Challenge Champion, please visit https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/partners-progress/champions/rules.html. All prospective Champions are required to complete the application form https://hypertension.millionhearts.hhs.gov/.

The submission deadline is September 7, 2022.

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.

Let's Celebrate our Local National Abstract Competition Winners

(May 2022) The U.S Air Force Chapter would like to congratulate the following chapter members on their accomplishments at the 2022 Internal Medicine Meeting National Abstract Competition.

Dr. Philip Cushman, WPAFB, Chapter Winner Research Poster
Dr. Marc Gutierrez, WPAFB, Chapter Winner Quality Improvement Poster
Dr. John-Henry Dean, SAUSHEC, Chapter Winner Clinical Vignette

We had a fantastic showing from our SAUSHEC Doctor's Dilemma team, Capt Lauren Sweet, Capt John Henry Dean and Capt Christian Lamb, congratulations to all and special thanks to their coaching staff!

View the complete list of podium presenters and poster winners at Internal Medicine Meeting 2022.

Congratulations New Air Force Chapter Fellows

Blake Elgin Elkins, MD FACP
Devin C Kelly, DO FACP

(March 2022) Congratulations to the Air Force 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.

Support our Local Speakers at Internal Medicine 2022

Join ACP and your colleagues as we reconvene to meet our personal and professional goals. World-renowned faculty will present important topics and the latest evidenced-based clinical and practice information that invite you to discover new ways to improve your own techniques and patient care. Internal Medicine Meeting 2022 will also introduce a refreshed schedule and two plenary gatherings featuring must-see speakers.

We wanted to take a moment to shine a spotlight on this year’s Air Force Chapter Members who are serving as faculty:

Cristin DeStefano Oral Anticoagulation: Patience and Wisdom - Friday, April 29, 2022

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 USAF Chapter Fellows

Christin Blair Destefano, MD FACP
MAJ Shane B Patterson, MC USAF FACP
CPT Christina Awad, MC USAF FACP
Nicole R Bane, DO FACP
MAJ Jason L Brownell, MD FACP
Asha De, MD FACP

(December 2021) Congratulations to the Air Force 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.

US Air Force Chapter receives 2021 Chapter Excellence Silver Award

(September 2021) We are pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Silver Level of the 2021 Chapter Excellence Award! Only 13 chapters received the Silver Award. The award recognizes chapters that achieve excellence in chapter management. In order to achieve the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet twenty-one Bronze criteria and seventeen Silver criteria. Criteria include such activities as undertaking efforts to increase advocacy efforts, collaborating with stakeholders to increase visibility of the ACP, holding competitions for members, providing chapter financial reports to members, having Medical Student and Resident/Fellow members on the Governor's Advisory council, retaining transitional and unpaid members, giving awards to chapter members. We 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.

Air Force Chapter Awards

(June 27, 2021) - The deadline for our ACP chapter annual awards has been extended to 15 August. Please consider nominating your deserving colleagues! To submit, please email our Awards Chair, Dr. Smith (derek.m.smith34.mil@mail.mil), the nominee’s CV as well as a one page memo from the nominator detailing their accomplishments that deserve recognition. Award winners will be announced at the virtual Tri-Service ACP Meeting in September 2021.

PROSPECTIVE AWARDS (with description of eligibility criteria):

- Major General Archie Hoffman Award for Distinguished Early Career Physician (ECP): Awarded to an Air Force ACP Chapter member who has completed residency in Internal Medicine and is in the first 16 years of their clinical and professional development who has excelled in their service to their patients, military treatment facility (MTF), and the United States Air Force Medical Corps.
- Two members are potentially eligible for this award: one ECP serving at an “Academic” MTF and one at a “Field” MTF. Please specify which award the applicant is being nominated for.

- Lieutenant General (ret) (Dr.) Monte Miller Award for Distinguished Early Career Physician (ECP) in Research: Awarded to an Air Force ACP Chapter member who has completed residency in Internal Medicine and is in the first 16 years of their clinical and professional development who has excelled in medical research. This award honors the late Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Miller who spearheaded the incorporation of research and teaching in the Air Force Medical Service.

- Colonel (ret) (Dr.) George Crawford Award for Distinguished Medical Educator: Awarded to an Air Force ACP Chapter member between the rank of senior Major to Colonel who has distinguished themselves in academic / teaching endeavors of medical professionals during their tenure in the Air Force Medical Service.

The new deadline for submission is 15 August 2021. For more information or questions, please email myself or Dr. Smith.

Angelique Collamer, MD
Air Force ACP Governor
On behalf of Dr. Derek Smith
Air Force ACP Awards Chair

Call for Spring 2022 Board of Governors Resolutions

(June 2021) - 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. When drafting a resolution, don't forget to consider how well it fits within ACP's Mission and Goals. In addition, be sure to use the College's Priority Themes to guide you when proposing a resolution topic.

Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. Visit the ACP Online homepage and click the “Advocacy” link in the right-hand, top margin to access ACP policy positions, read about recent ACP advocacy activities, or search ACP's library of policies and recommendations. Visit your chapter website, too, and click the link under “Advocacy” to access Electronic Resolutions System (ERS) where you can search past or proposed resolutions. A copy of the resolutions process is available on the ERS, which furnishes more details on formatting resolutions, as well the process for submission, review, and approval.

Members must submit resolutions to their Governor and/or chapter council. A resolution becomes a resolution of the chapter once the chapter council approves it. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Spring 2022 Board of Governors Meeting is October 4, 2021.