Summer 2011
Mission Statement
The mission of the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine is to promote quality health care for all Texans by strengthening the practice of internal medicine.
President's Message
Sue S. Bornstein, MD, FACP
TXACP President
@sue_bornstein: We need your suggestions for a new tagline for TXACP and your donations to our new foundation!
Now that I have your attention, I’ll return to a more conventional manner of communicating. Our chapter recently held a strategic planning retreat in conjunction with a Board meeting. The purpose of the retreat was to look critically at the current state of the Texas ACP and to identify 4-5 priorities that are important to our organization now and in the future. The following were identified: organizational structure (board, committee and staff); membership; advocacy; supporting the next generation of internists and membership growth and retention. Work groups were created with specific tasks to further develop ideas brought forth with specific timelines for completion. Future communications will feature a report on the results of the strategic planning.
One of the more challenging topics was that of our identity as internists and medicine specialists. Internal medicine has undergone dramatic changes in the past 15 years including the creation of hospitalists and more physicians entering into administrative roles. All internists are not primary care physicians but we are all internists. That is the basis of our professional bond. The leaders of the Texas ACP agree that we need to develop a “tagline” to use under the banner of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians to more clearly convey what it is that makes internists and medicine specialists unique. I encourage you to contribute your suggestions to this important effort. To submit a suggestion, please email Gena Girardeau, our Executive Director at gena.girardeau@texmed.org.
For the past eighteen years, the flagship program of the Texas ACP has been the General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program. This highly successful program places 1st and 2nd year medical students with a preceptor for 4 weeks in the summer. The students receive a small stipend; the preceptors volunteer their time. We have longitudinal data that shows clearly that these young people are significantly more likely to choose internal medicine as a career than students who have not participated. Twenty percent of these students enter primary care internship programs as opposed to 4-6% of students leaving medical school that did not participate. Initially, GIMSPP was funded privately but in 1995, the program began to receive funds from the Texas legislature via the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Funding was decreased dramatically in the 2003 biennium and was never restored to previous levels.
Until 2003, we placed 240 students each year. Since then, the number has steadily declined with the reduction in funding in each biennium. In 2011, only 69 students were placed despite receiving 208 applications. In the 2012 budget recently approved by our state lawmakers, GIMSPP lost its funding entirely. The Texas ACP leadership believes strongly that this essential program must continue. In fact, we are looking at this as an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to this and other programs whose intent is to encourage more students to choose internal medicine as a career. We are exploring short-term options including offering unpaid rotations and shortening the duration to two or three weeks and will continue to look for alternate funding sources.
Like most similar organizations, the Texas ACP derives the majority of its revenue from dues. However, our leadership recognized the need to place our chapter in a financial position that would allow us to fund ongoing programs (GIMSPP for one) and other initiatives. To that end, the Board authorized the creation of a non-profit foundation for the Texas ACP. The foundation has been established and I want to thank the individuals who made this happen. The foundation board is composed of energetic individuals who have ambitious goals for this new entity. I would encourage each of you to consider making a contribution to help insure the future of internal medicine. To make a contribution, you can mail a check to the TXACP Foundation, Attn: Claire Foster, 401 West 15th St. Austin, TX 78701.
Despite the ongoing challenges in healthcare today, the Texas Chapter of the ACP remains a vibrant and dynamic organization dedicated to fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of internal medicine.
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Governor’s Message
Clark R. Gregg, MD, FACP
Governor, Northern Region
The Peril and Promise of EHR's
Two articles in the 17 May, 2011, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine illustrate the point - counterpoint dynamic at work today in the movement toward universal adoption of electronic health records (EHR) throughout U.S. clinical practice. Both spring from the perspective of internists as leaders of small businesses, not corporate giants with the financial leverage to project and successfully enforce implementation of an EHR within their spheres of influence.
The first (Hussain AW, Ann Intern Med 2011; 154:690) criticizes several aspects of the technology movement in health care that are driving the federal government as well as private insurers to support EHR's as a tool for cost reduction and clinical quality improvement. Hussain asserts that the value of technology is limited and is based on unrepresentative statistical assumptions. The EHR market is driven in part by vendors offering costly unnecessary functionality for proprietary gain, and maintenance costs have not been taken into account. Although EHR's can be shown to improve surveillance of physicians' process measures of adherence to clinical guidelines, the downstream value in health outcomes for patients is much less clear. Unidimensional focus on compliance with proxy measures frustrates experienced clinicians who all recognize the complexities of medical decision-making. Hussain calls for more bottom-up flexibility in EHR functionality and timelines for implementation by technologically and economically challenged physicians.
In the responding editorial (Baron RJ, Ann Intern Med 2011; 154:697), the author, himself a small office practice internist, disagrees with Hussain's conclusions. Baron's premise is that modern practice must recognize the value technologies offer and adapt to the fact that our patients as well as the purchasers of health care demand measurable higher-value services, much as we now expect from banking, retailing and database searching. He contends that the world of health care is moving inexorably toward universal standardization of information flow and that communication, protected information-sharing, and evidence-based personalized care are enhanced by technology. He concedes that EHR's are not yet as effective, safe, or subsidized as they need to be to gain more value and acceptance, but the physician community should drive "meaningful use".
Having worked for over ten years with the Veterans Health Administration's EHR, perhaps still the best and doubtless the most widespread and tested system in current use, I find points to agree with in both articles. What cannot be denied is that EHR's are with us and will significantly shape the future of medical practice.
Clark R. Gregg, MD, FACP
Governor, Texas Northern District
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On Being a Doctor
Marc Shabot, MD, FACP
The Roadrunner
Dan looked terrible. Although I had not seen him in over a year, my 79 year old friend looked like he had aged two decades. His clothes were disheveled, his eyes sunken, his face pale and furrowed, his shoulders slumped, and his voice weak and shaky. He had the look of a broken man, defeated and vulnerable.
I asked how he was doing, and he said, “Bad. I broke my ankle two months ago, and all I have been able to do since then is sit at home with my foot elevated and watch TV.” We talked for a minute more, but I had to return to my duties at our Internal Medicine Alumni Society Dinner. Dan was there that night because we were honoring one of his close friends. I saw that he was depressed and made a mental note that after our CME course was over, I would pay him a visit. I had known Dan for almost forty years. At the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, he had been a mentor to me when I was a student and house officer, and then a colleague and friend after I joined the faculty. Read the rest of the article here.
2010 Annual Meeting 2nd Place On Being a Doctor Winner
Kanwar Yugraj Singh
Inner Voice Calling
I clear, you clear, all clear shock!
post call 12pm ,you look at the clock.
30 min into the code, the attending calls quit,
you call the family and find words to fit.
Halfway through the death note, the nurse calls
another of your patients is sick, had a fall
Words of the chief echo in my ears,
don't violate the duty hours, everyone fears
I feel fine and decide to stay,
at the end of the day, only poor patient will pay
For a moment i think about the past,
why we become doctors ,the question i ask
It was my inner calling comes the thought,
now live by the rules this residency has brought.
Today i will report few hours less,
since everyone is warned not to create a mess
But someone has to think about the oath we take,
each word explains the profession, its not fake
Patients will be treated well even if I leave,
what about the call from myself that I receive.
This is the question we all have to ask,
not let our profession wear the duty hours' mask
After answering myself in my mind,
I go see my patient's face so kind
Thank you, god bless you are his words,
felt so good ,on top of this world!
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Students, Associates Call for Abstracts
Associates and medical students are invited to submit new entries that have never been submitted in the past for several competitions during the Texas Chapter of the ACP Annual Meeting Nov. 12-13 in Austin.
Medical Student Poster Competition: Medical students are invited to submit abstracts of clinical vignettes that have clinical relevance to internal medicine to the 2011 Texas Chapter of the ACP medical students’ poster competition via the medical student abstract submission form on the Texas chapter’s web site. Research abstracts will not be considered for this year’s meeting. On the submission form, students can indicate whether they want their abstract considered for the poster competition only or for the poster and/or clinical vignette competition. In order to submit an abstract for either competition, you must be a member of the American College of Physicians. Submission deadline for medical students is Tuesday, August 29, 2011. Abstracts will be reviewed and submitters will be notified of the status of their abstract via e-mail by Friday, September 30, 2011. Those who are accepted to the competition will be invited to present their abstract in poster format at the 2011 Annual Meeting, November 12-13, 2011 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin.
Associate Poster Competition: Associates are invited to submit abstracts of clinical vignettes and clinical research (not basic science research) that have clinical relevance to internal medicine to the 2011 Texas Chapter of the ACP associates’ poster competition via the associate abstract submission form on the Texas Chapter’s web site. In order to submit an abstract for either competition, you must be a member of the American College of Physicians. Submission deadline for associates is Friday, August 5, 2011. Abstracts will be reviewed and submitters will be notified of the status of their abstract via e-mail by Friday, September 30, 2011. Those who are accepted to the competition will be invited to present their abstract in poster format at the 2011 Annual Meeting, November 12-13, 2011 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin.
On Being a Doctor creative writing competition: Associates and medical students are invited to submit original prose or poetry dedicated to the theme, “Work-Life Balance: Where does being a doctor end and being me begin?”. Submissions are limited to 1,000 words or less and must be submitted via the submission form on the Texas Chapter of the ACP web site by Friday, August 26, 2011. Contestants must reside in Texas and be members of the ACP.
A panel of physicians will review the submissions, and the winner will be announced no later than September 30, 2011. The winning author will be invited to present his or her work in a 10-minute oral reading during the general session at the Annual Meeting. The author will win an all expense paid trip to attend the Texas Chapter of the ACP Annual Meeting.
For more information, please visit www.txacp.org.
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ACP Regional Competitions Associate Winners
All across the state of Texas, internal medicine residents are hard at work learning, practicing, and teaching medicine. The Texas Chapter of the ACP has the honor of allowing these young physicians to showcase their hard work locally at one of our five Associates regional competitions.
This year’s meetings followed in the successful tradition of those of the past. Competition was stiff, participation was high and all of the work was exceptional quality. An enormous amount of time and energy went into the planning of each event. Recognition for the extensive meeting preparation goes to Drs. Alejandro Moreno for the Southwest region, Richard Hamill for the Southeast region, Kenneth Nugent for the Northwest region, Mark Feldman for the Northeast region, and Pedro Blandon for the Far Northwest region. Thank you all for your diligence and hard work. A special thank you goes out to Dr. Suma Pokala for all of her involvement with these regional events as the Texas Chapter of the ACP Associates Committee Chair.
The Texas Chapter supports the regional Associates’ councils with annual grants of up to $1,000 per Council to help fund their programming. Each regional clinical vignette competition winner will receive Chapter support to allow them to travel to Austin, November 12-13, 2011, to represent their region at the Annual Meeting.
Congratulations to the regional competition winners!
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TXACP Foundation Update
On May 11, 2011, the TXACP Foundation paperwork was filed by the Secretary of State’s office. The Foundation is set-up and now collecting donations. The Foundation consists of five board members: Drs. Scott Yates, R. Steve Urban, Jose Perez, Roger Khetan and Julie Nguyen. Dr. Yates is the Foundation’s President, Dr. Urban is the Foundation’s Vice-President and Dr. Perez is the Foundation’s Secretary/Treasurer. The Foundation represents the goals of the internal medicine physician profession; to foster knowledge and philanthropy that enhances quality health care in Texas. The Foundation was established by the TXACP for educational and philanthropic purposes that enhance health care in Texas.
The Foundation would like to thank the law firm of Mathis & Donheiser, P.C. for their legal counsel with the formation of the organization. If you would like to make a donation to the Foundation, please make a check payable to the TXACP Foundation, Attn: Claire Foster, 401 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
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IN MEMORIAM
Robert Cooke Kimbrough, III, MD,
1941–2010
Dr. Robert Kimbrough died on November 24, 2010. For the past 17 years, he was professor of medicine at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock. Born in 1941, Bob’s training was excellent and conventional for an internist who specialized in infectious diseases. What was not conventional were his personal and professional characteristics which set him apart from his coevals.
He was one of the last of a disappearing breed—the master clinician and teacher. His recent election as a Master of the American College of Physicians merely confirmed what everyone who had come in contact with Bob as a patient, student or colleague already knew. He was a master at his craft. What almost no one knew was how ill Bob had been over the last 12 years of his life.
It is an axiom of medicine that a physician is to put the welfare of his patients before that of himself or his family. That is an impossibly high standard that few doctors meet, but Bob did. Despite the admonition of his physician (NAK) that he should ease his work load, he continued to assume full-time clinical and teaching responsibilities, almost until the time of his death, because he felt that patient care and teaching in the Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech would suffer if he eased his burden.
Bob was available 24/7. You might see him in Bermuda shorts on the surgical floor on a Sunday afternoon, where in short order he would brilliantly analyze all aspects of the complex case that had brought him to the hospital while giving the residents and students holy hell for not calling him sooner and for not being as thorough and incisive as he was. Although the residents might suffer, though they learned a lot from the experience, the patient always benefitted from Bob’s appearance.
Being Bob’s colleague was as rewarding as being his patient. If you needed good advice, his office was the best place to go. If he worked for you, as he did for both of us, he was the ideal faculty member. Although we were his supervisors, Bob provided us both with wise counsel, and his unassuming but effective leadership made the Department of Internal Medicine better. He did
his job with dispatch and was always ready to help out when difficulty appeared. Despite surface gruffness, his students loved him. He was the recipient of numerous teaching awards. They elected him to the Texas Tech chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha. In addition to being a master of the American College of Physicians, the organization had previously given him its laureate award. Texas Tech gave him the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010.
His clinical excellence was also recognized far from home. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh).
Bob was one of the country’s premiere experts on medical history. He was a member of the American Osler Society. He had a superb collection of antique books on medical history. He was an oenophile and a champion caliber trap shooter. He also had one of the country’s great collection of bow ties which he wore everywhere except on Sundays when he was in
Bermuda shorts.
He is survived by his wife Susan, 4 children, 3 sisters and 4 grandchildren. A fifth grandchild was born after his death. He is also survived by thousands of colleagues, students and patients whose lives were enriched by his. His was a life well lived.
Neil A. Kurtzman, MD
Department of Internal Medicine
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, Texas
E-mail: neil.kurtzman@gmail.com
Donald E. Wesson, MD
Department of Internal Medicine
Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine
Temple, Texas
E-mail: dwesson@swmail.sw.org
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Leadership Day 2011
ACP Services Inc. holds an annual advocacy day on Capitol Hill. This event provides an opportunity for ACP and our members to increase our presence in Washington and bring visibility to issues of common concern. Participants receive a comprehensive orientation and briefing on ACP's top legislative priorities and then have an opportunity to meet with legislators and the staff on Capitol Hill.
We would like to thank the following physicians for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend ACP Leadership Day 2011.
- Felicia Austin-Tolliver, MD, FACP, Sugarland
- Shwetha Chagala, Houston
- Manuel Dominguez, MD Plano
- Andrew K. Diehl, MD, FACP, San Antonio
- Joseph Hellman, Temple
- Robert E. Jackson, MD, FACP, Houston
- Roger S. Khetan, MD, FACP, Dallas
- Astrud Villareal, Dallas
- Scott Yates, MD, FACP, Plano
While at Leadership Day these members met with Sen. Kay Hutchison, Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Sam Johnson, Rep. John Culberson, Rep. Ron Paul, Rep. Charles Gonzalez, Rep. Pete Olson, Rep. John Carter, and Rep. Pete Sessions.
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ACP Internal Medicine 2011 in San Diego
Over 300 Texas Chapter members enjoyed the outstanding medical education in San Diego at this year's ACP Internal Medicine 2011.
The Texas Chapter governors; Andrew K. Diehl, MD, FACP, TXACP Outgoing Southern Governor, San Antonio and Clark R. Gregg, MD, FACP, TXACP Northern Governor, Fort Worth and Robert E. Jackson, TXACP Southern Governor, Houston escorted thirty new Fellows of the College during the convocation grand procession, along with five new Masters of the College: W. Mark Armstrong, MD, MACP, Dallas; George E. Crawford, MD, MACP, San Antonio; Kenneth G. Torrington, MD, MACP (Military), San Antonio; F. David Winter, MD, MACP; Dallas, and the late Robert C. Kimbrough III, MD, MACP, Lubbock.
Rebekah Condit from Texas A&M Health Science Center was recognized as one of the top 5 abstract winners for her abstract "Rheum for Debate” at the Internal Medicine 2011 in San Diego.
Sameer Islam, MD, Texas Tech Lubbock, competed in the Associate's abstract competition during the ACP Internal Medicine 2011.
Drs. Jonathan Ramirez, Scott Swendsen and Shannon Ward, Scott & White, represented the Texas chapter in the Doctor's Dilemma competition.
A Texas ACP Chapter and Alumni reception was held on Friday evening, April 8 to honor our award winners, new Masters of the College, and to celebrate Andrew K. Diehl, MD, FACP as outgoing Governor for the Texas Southern Region.
Click here to see photos from the ACP Meeting in San Diego!
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Member Kudos
W. Mark Armstrong, MD, MACP, Dallas, was awarded Mastership in the ACP.
George E. Crawford, MD, MACP, San Antonio, was awarded Mastership in the ACP.
Rebekah Condit, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine student, was invited to present a poster at the ACP IM11 in San Diego, as the winner of the statewide competition hosted by TXACP in November. At the national level, Rebekah was chosen as one of the top 5 winners out of all the posters submitted.
Sameer Islam, MD, Texas Tech – Lubbock Associate member, was invited to present a poster at the ACP IM11 in San Diego and won in his division.
The late Robert C. Kimbrough III MD, MACP, Lubbock, was awarded Mastership in the ACP.
Lynne M. Kirk, MD, MACP, Dallas, was elected to AMA’s Council on Medical Education.
Julie Nguyen, MD, Houston received a 2011 LEAD certificate from ACP. The Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Program targets internists early in their careers and offers a variety of activities designed to provide participants with the skills, resources, and experiences necessary to become effective leaders in any setting.
Jonathan Ramirez, MD, Scott & White Associate member, competed in the national Doctor's Dilemma competition at the ACP Internal Medicine 2011 (IM11) in San Diego, as a member of the winning team from the statewide competition hosted by TXACP in November.
Scott Swendsen, MD, Scott & White Associate member, competed in the national Doctor's Dilemma competition at the ACP Internal Medicine 2011 (IM11) in San Diego, as a member of the winning team from the statewide competition hosted by TXACP in November.
Kenneth G. Torrington, MD, MACP, San Antonio (Military Chapter), was awarded Mastership in the ACP.
Shannon Ward, MD, Scott & White Associate member, competed in the national Doctor's Dilemma competition at the ACP Internal Medicine 2011 (IM11) in San Diego, as a member of the winning team from the statewide competition hosted by TXACP in November.
F. David Winter, MD, MACP, Dallas, was awarded Mastership in the ACP.
Pete Yunyongying, MD, FACP, Dallas received a 2011 LEAD certificate from ACP. The Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Program targets internists early in their careers and offers a variety of activities designed to provide participants with the skills, resources, and experiences necessary to become effective leaders in any setting.
Send news of your accomplishments, or that of a colleague, to: Gena Girardeau, TXACP Executive Director, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701; fax to (512) 370-1635; or e-mail to Gena Girardeau.
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Congratulations to our Newest Fellows
Fellowship recognizes personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine, professional accomplishment, and demonstrated scholarship.
Rima Bishara, MD FACP, Waco
Krista W Bowers, MD FACP, San Antonio
Ramachandra Chemitiganti, MBBS FACP, Odessa
William R Davis, MD FACP, Odessa
Brian C Douglas, MD FACP, Bellaire
Bonnie T Gleason, MD FACP, Harlingen
Maria V Gove, MD FACP, Addison
Dina X Goytia-Leos, MD FACP, San Antonio
German T Hernandez, MD FACP, El Paso
Jay D Horton, MD FACP, Plano
Jessica P Hwang, MD FACP, Houston
Olubayo A Idowu, MD FACP, Irving
Alan W Keister, MD FACP, Amarillo
Kristy Y Kosub, MD FACP, San Antonio
Luci K Leykum, MD FACP, San Antonio
Lee B Lu, MD FACP, Friendswood
Lianne Marks, MD PhD FACP, Georgetown
Sreeram V Parupudi, MD FACP, Lubbock
Mukaila A Raji, MD FACP, League City
Santosh P Reddy, MD FACP, Temple
Syed A Rizwan, MD FACP, Coppell
Monal B Shah, MD FACP, Dallas
Weldon L Smith, Jr MD FACP, Dallas
Roger D Soloway, MD FACP, Galveston
Meryem Tuncel-Kara, MD FACP, Lubbock
Brent Wagner, MD FACP, San Antonio
Josephine T Win, MD FACP, Plano
Advancement to Fellowship applications are available:
• At the ACP Web site
• From the ACP Customer Service Department at (800) 523-1546, ext. 2600
• By e-mail
Vision Statements
Governor, Northern Region
Clark R. Gregg, MD, FACP
Over the course of a career that has spanned basic science and clinical research, private practice of internal medicine and infectious diseases, academic teaching, and administrative leadership, I have remained firmly grounded in the belief that general internal medicine is the bedrock of American medicine. The economic dynamics that threaten that foundation must be realistically confronted and effectively harnessed to retain and nurture the vision that only through a dedicated, robust general internal medicine workforce can the various subspecialties of internal medicine, surgery, and the other medical disciplines thrive and provide the highest quality of patient-centered care for the future of Texas and the United States. As your Governor for the Texas Northern District of ACP, I am proud to champion the mission of ACP and our Texas Chapter to advance our specialty of Internal Medicine.
Governor, Southern Region
Robert E. Jackson, MD, FACP
Over the next four years I will represent Texas with the Governors of the Northern Region. Nationally Texas ACP is viewed as efficient, well organized, and a leader in health care innovation. Our Preceptorship Program resolution will be discussed at the Board of Governors meeting in San Diego. No other Chapter has successfully served as the State-wide convening organization for a Medical Home initiative. Our annual scientific meetings are well attended and bring value to our members. It is my intention to continue our present trajectory and keep us up front and center. I welcome all input, thoughts and concerns as we become part of the solution in transforming health care in Texas.
President, Texas Chapter of the ACP
Sue Bornstein, MD, FACP
My vision for the Texas Chapter of the ACP is multi-faceted. Recruiting new members and retaining existing members is a very high priority. Cultivating new leadership for our organization is also a high priority. I am proud to say that the Board of the Texas ACP and ACP Services is highly diverse in terms of geography, age gender, ethnicity and career choice. It is essential to our strength as an organization that this diversity be maintained and broadened. Our chapter has been at the forefront of innovation as evidenced by its ongoing support of the Texas Medical Home Initiative, a multi-stakeholder medical home project in North Texas. We are the only ACP chapter that has served as a convener of a medical home pilot. This willingness to explore new models of care delivery speaks highly of our chapter and its leadership. We must continue to explore ways to not only to improve the care of our patients but also to improve the experience of physicians in caring for patients.
President, Texas Chapter of the ACP Services
Roger S. Khetan, MD, FACP, FHM
Our profession is a complex one ranging from strictly outpatient practitioners of general medicine to hospitalists to board certified specialists. As physicians, we have a host of issues to keep up with on a daily basis, and a few examples are updates on coding, reimbursement issues, budgets, practice overhead, healthcare reform, meaningful use of EHR, and our own personal finances. In addition, the great state of Texas is one of few states with high population of uninsured and underinsured patients as well as bordering a nation that has many of its residents seeking healthcare in our state. How is one physician to understand and be aware of all of these issues? How can one physician focus his/her passion on a certain public health issue, legislative advocacy, graduate medical education/academics, or practice administration? The answer is simple – not one physician can do it all. We must work together and encourage our colleagues to join in an organization that has far reaching depths. The Texas Chapter of ACP is not just academics, specialist centered nor primary care centered, and not just political advocacy. It is all of that and more – it focuses on the joys and pitfalls of a wide diversity of physicians and brings them together to fight together issues that affect the young and older physician, the academic and private practitioner, the employed physician to the solo physician. We have members across a very diverse as well as a very geographical area. We must come together under one voice and continue to raise the bar for ACP in Texas as the lead resource and ally for our physicians in getting their concerns/ issues understood as well as keep them up to date on latest news from DC and Austin as it affects our practice. That organization with its continued energized drive is Texas ACP, and why I joined and sought leadership roles.
Health and Public Policy Committee
Gene Stokes, MD, FACP
Internal medicine in Texas is closely affiliated with the Primary Care Coalition which encompasses the shared values of Family Medicine and Pediatrics and was formed in 2004 to address the mounting pressure on the viability of our practices. The environment in which we find internal medicine these days is challenging to say the least. The HPPC is important in helping members and leadership understand the legislative issues affecting our specialty. The HPPC helps create the strong knowledgeable membership important in our interaction with colleagues and the legislature.
Associates Committee
Suma Pokala, MD, FACP
Associates Committee consists of members from all 5 regions of Texas ACP. Texas ACP recognizes that the Associates are the future and promotes the Associates involvement in the organization. Our mission is to generate interest in ACP among the residents, involve them in the organization so they will be valuable addition to ACP, keeping it strong. Texas ACP sponsors Associate Days in the 5 regions. The residents participate in various competitions and scholarly activities and learn about ACP. Associates committee organizes poster competitions in clinical case presentation and clinical research categories and Doctors' Dilemma, a medical jeopardy game for the Associates and sponsors the winners to the National Meeting. The Associates' Committee promotes learning, team work and scholarly activity.
Council of Young Physicians
Julie Nguyen, MD
Aaron Samsula, MD, FACP
The mission of the Council of Young Physicians is to enhance the professional development and quality of life of young physicians and fostering their involvement in College activities through the following mechanisms:
- Provide a forum to identify and discuss issues of concern to Chapter/State
young physicians
- Encourage participation in the ACP on a Chapter/State and regional level
- Provide representation on the TXACP Board of Directors
- Provide feedback to the national ACP Council of Young Physicians
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