Professional Fulfillment Zone
ACP's Peer Coach Training Program: A Participant's Perspective
By Fariha Shafi, MD, FACP, D-ABOM
Coaching through the American College of Physicians (ACP) has been truly transformative in my life, both professionally and personally. It has taught me the power of intentional listening, thoughtful questioning, self-reflecting, and creating space for growth. These skills have helped me become a more effective physician, colleague, and mentor, but perhaps most importantly, they have helped me become a better parent. I have learned to listen more patiently, respond with greater empathy, and guide my children toward finding their own solutions rather than always providing the answers. These lessons have strengthened my relationships and reminded me that growth begins with being willing to reflect and change.
Inspired by my own experience, I have worked to bring coaching principles into my interactions with junior faculty, medical students, and international medical graduates through organizations such as KASHMER in the past year. These sessions include individual and group coaching. Most recently, I utilized these skills within the Leadership Academy of the Virginia and District of Columbia ACP Chapters, highlighting the importance of coaching for mid-career physicians. It has been rewarding to help others recognize their strengths, build confidence, navigate challenges, and envision new possibilities for their careers and lives.
I am deeply grateful to the ACP coaching team for the lasting impact they have had on my life. Coaching has given me tools that extend far beyond the workplace, influencing how I lead, mentor, and parent. I believe that as Governor- elect of the Missouri Chapter, this skill set will go a long way in shaping how I lead. It has inspired me to pay that gift forward and continue fostering growth in others.
The next training cohort begins in January 2027. Sign up today to secure your spot!
New Well-being Swag Kits Available for Chapter Meetings!
Attention WBCs! Make sure your Chapter Leaders know that Chapter Well-being Swag Kits are now available to order through the Chapter Meeting Inventory Survey Form on LeaderNet. These kits include giveaways, evidenced-based sensory grounding tools/activities, and a variety of table signs and flyers promoting ACP Well-being products and services.
Nominations Now Open for Class of 2030 Chapter Well-being Champions
Nominations for the Well-being Champion Chapter Leadership program are now being accepted! Only Chapter Governors or Executive Directors can submit a nomination. Nominations are due November 20.
Leading Through Conflict: Practical Strategies for Women in Medicine
January 13, 2027, 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Join fellow women physicians at a live session exclusively created for ACP members. This session focuses on managing conflict to achieve productive outcomes. You'll learn crucial communication skills to navigate conflict effectively while maintaining professionalism and identify strategies to achieve constructive outcomes and resolution.
Register Here! (Free for members, ACP login required)
The ACP Internal Medicine Meeting Heads Back to the West Coast for 2027!
Register now to join us at ACP Internal Medicine Meeting 2027 in Los Angeles, CA!
WBC Monthly Group Coaching
Current WBCs who have completed their training are eligible to attend a 1-hour monthly group coaching session. Some recent topics were Storytelling for Advocacy and Quality Improvement to Support Well-being, facilitated by ACP WBC Coach and North Carolina Governor Marion McCrary, MD, FACP. Look out for e-mails with links to register. WBCs can access materials and recordings from group coaching sessions on MyACP.
Back to the November 20, 2026 issue of ACP IM Thriving