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Winter 2017

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Mission Statement

The mission of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians is to promote quality health care for all Texans by strengthening the practice of internal medicine.


President's Message


Curtis Mirkes, DO, FACP
TXACP President

2016 – WOW is all that I can say regarding this last year and beginning of 2017. Texas ACP has honored me to serve as your President, and I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you for this first edition of The Texas Internist for 2017.  This past year we had a presidential election which has caused some division within the country – leaving many to question where we go from here.  The one consistent factor we are all going to be facing is change.  A couple of things I have learned during times of change are the ability to adjust and be flexible.  The delivery of healthcare is going to be different over the next 5-10 years, but the one constant during this change is that the patients will be there waiting for our aptitudes and knowledge to assist them in their time of need.  Change is difficult for many people, but I believe we have an opportunity to lead as an organization and as individuals during this time of change. 

GIMSPP

Texas ACP has continued with excellence in introducing medical students into general Internal Medicine through the General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP). Since the start of this program in 1995 we have had the opportunity to place almost 2800 students into this program.  This past legislative session ACP was able to obtain grant funding to help with the financial challenges in placing Texas Medical Students with preceptors around the state.  I want to say many thanks to the members who have served as preceptors for this program.  We are always looking to expand this excellent program to help encourage more students into the field of Internal Medicine. As an Internal Medicine Program Director I have seen the value added to these students when they look at a lifelong career in Medicine. 

Legislative Session

This year will be the 85th Legislative Session, and will be a challenging year as the overall funding for numerous programs will be reduced and it is now more than ever we need to continue with showing the value of GIMSPP, Physician Loan repayment program, and the expansion of GME training opportunities. This can be done at the local level on First Tuesdays for the next 2 months, and at the national level with leadership day at Washington DC on May 24th.

I’m excited about the challenges which we face and opportunities we have within this organization in 2017. Texas ACP is an organization of more than 7,500 members- with us working together we can make a difference for patients and help our community of physicians.

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Governor's Message

George Crawford, MD, MACP
Governor, TX Southern Region

It is a pleasure to speak to you early in 2017.  We are just coming off our annual meeting in Houston, which was expertly staged and organized by our departing Governor, Dr. Sue Bornstein.  This is only the latest contribution by Dr. Bornstein who was a politically savvy bridge between our organization and the Texas Medical Association.  We will miss her as a Governor, and look forward to continued participation in the College. The meeting was highlighted by recognition for several of our members. Our most prestigious award, the Laureate Award, went to James Sawyer, MD, FACP, and my predecessor as Southern Governor, Robert Jackson, MD, MACP.  Roger Khetan, MD, FHM, FACP was honored with the Snyder/Chumley Advocate of the Year Award for his untiring efforts to represent our Chapter at the State and National level.  Julie Stephen, MD, MBA, FACP received the Early Career Physician Award for her outstanding leadership. 

We marked the revitalization of our GIMSPP program by honoring several long term contributors.  Several members received the Emerald Award for a remarkable twenty years of service as a preceptor: Allan Kelly, MD, FACP; William Mania, MD, FACP; L.A. ‘Bud’ Torres, Jr., MD, FACP; and Larry Warmoth, MD, FACP.  Also recognized for a decade of service were Margaret Hayden, MD, FACP; Michael Marshall MD, FAAP, FACP; William Pieratt, DO, FACP; and Aaron Samsula, MD, FACP.

We have also just passed through a very divisive election with its unexpected outcome.  Much remains unclear as to what policies President elect Trump will pursue, but this is likely to affect health care policy going forward.  The first steps toward repeal of the ACA have been taken, and repeal is likely, with the timing and shape of any replacement unclear.  With repeal alone, the ACP estimates the number of uninsured Texans will increase by over two million, with 4.5 million Texans with pre-existing conditions at risk, and uninsured costs of 4.6 billion dollars.  The College has taken a position of “First Do No Harm”: The College does not support legislative changes to the ACA that would eliminate or weaken key consumer protections, lead to fewer people having access to affordable coverage and/or loss of such protections in the future.  I encourage you to contact your national representatives and advocate for your patients.

Locally, the 85th Legislative Session is well underway and we look forward to the opportunities to continue to work with our affiliates, and colleagues to educate and inform Texas senators and representatives at the Capitol on issues impacting medicine.  Your chapter has outlined the following key priorities this legislative session:

   1. Addressing the need for Primary Care Physicians in Texas 

   2. Graduate Medical Education

   3. Patient Access to Care

You can get involved!  Come to Austin for the chapter's organized state leadership activities and be a voice for medicine.  Participate in ACP's Leadership Day in May or get involved with TMA’s First Tuesdays

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Andy Diehl on Being A Doctor Essay Award

 

The Texas Chapter is honored to have recognized Tommy Das, UT Southwestern Medical Center, MD Class of 2018, as recipient of the 2016 Andy Diehl on Being a Doctor Award for his essay, The Start of Something New.

The award was named in honor of Dr. Andy Diehl, Governor Emeritus and Master in the American College of Physicians. In recognition of his contributions to the Texas Chapter as a leader, educator and internist. His colleagues, students and friends alike remember Dr. Diehl as a dedicated teacher and physician.

Medical Student and Resident members of the chapter were invited to submit to the competition. The theme for the essay was: Who's the doctor? Living in a world where physicians are competing with mid-level providers for patient care.

2017 Submissions will be accepted soon.

ACP Unveils New Section Online: Sharing Our Stories

A new page on ACP’s website, “Sharing our Stories”, features a collection of personal perspectives, anecdotes, and reflections about internal medicine, career paths, and achieving professional satisfaction from ACP members and other internists. Additionally, the page features “My Kind of Medicine Profiles,” an ongoing series of physician profiles, highlighting physicians who chose internal medicine as a career path and have had fulfilling and successful lives based on that choice.

Visit Sharing our Stories to access the page.

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Congratulations New Masters of the College!

ACP Bylaws state that Masters shall be Fellows who have been selected because of "integrity, positions of honor, eminence in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine." Masters must be highly accomplished persons demonstrating eminence in practice, leadership, or in medical research. Evidence of their achievements can come from many types of endeavors such as notoriety within their field and/or ACP chapter, research, education, health care initiatives, volunteerism, and administrative positions. The Master must be distinguished by the excellence and significance of his or her contributions to the field of medicine. Learn more

2016-2017 New Masters

Ruth Berggren, MD, MACP
San Antonio

Major W. Bradshaw, MD, MACP
Houston

James Hanley, MD, MACP
Laguna Vista

Clinton K. Murray, MC, USA, MACP
San Antonio

Maria A. Rodriguez, MD, MACP
Houston

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Congratulations to the following New Fellows!

Fellowship recognizes personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine, professional accomplishment, and demonstrated scholarship.

Nicola Abate, MD FACP Kemah
Ali M Al-Ameri, MBChB FACP Houston
Myo Aung, MBBS FACP Austin
Serena M Aunon, MD FACP League City
Oluyemisi O Awobokun, MD FACP The Woodlands
Arvinder Kaur Bains, MBBS FACP Tyler
Jose D Bejarano, MD FACP Mc Allen
Boris Blechacz, MD FACP Houston
Sheldon C Chaffer, MD FACP Temple
Mohammed A.R. Chamsi-Pasha, MD FACP Pearland
Jennifer L Clark, MD FACP Cedar Park
Martha L Danhof, DO FACP Fort Worth
Diane S Demick, MD FACP El Paso
John G Flores, MD FACP Little Elm
Sathiyaraj George, MD FACP Mission
Santiago Giraldo, MD FACP Odessa
Yolanda G Gonzalez Giraldo, MD FACP McAllen
Erik R Grossman, MD FACP Dallas
Jennifer L Headrick, MD FACP Woodway
Anna Kagan, MD,PhD FACP Houston
Tarif H Khair, MD FACP Houston
Saket Kottewar, MBBS FACP San Antonio
Catherine L Kowalewski, DO FACP San Antonio
Lynn A Lester, MD FACP Fort Worth
Aparna Mohan, MD FACP McAllen
Anil Nanda, MD FACP Lewisville
Scott Nicklebur, MD FACP Cedar Park
Henry U Ogbogu, MD FACP Coppell
Edgardo Ordonez, MD FACP Sugar Land
Tapan J Patel, MD FACP DALLAS
Pedro J Penalo, MD FACP Weslaco
Diego P Peralta Rojas, MD FACP El Paso
Abhilash Perisetti, MBBS FACP Lubbock
Sadia Rashid, MD FACP Round Rock
Dereddi Raja Shekar Reddy, MD FACP Houston
Pablo S Rodriguez, MD FACP Amarillo
Katherine S Root, MD FACP Tyler
Stacey R Rose, MD FACP Bellaire
Cheryl L Sampson, MD FACP Ennis
Sixta M Sotelo-Gumato, MD FACP Crane
Behyar Zoghi, MDPhD FACP San Antonio

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

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Best Wishes to the Medical Student and Resident/Fellow Finalists and Winners invited to present at IM2017:

Finalists, Resident/Fellow Clinical Vignette
Bobak J Akhavan, MD
2LT Cyrus Askin, Bchir,USA
Flor Espinoza, MD
Lindsey A Green, MD
Mark Hall, MD
Kevin T Kline, MD
Heidi C Ko, DO
Priya Kothapalli, MD
Tejal Mistry, MD
Robyn L Moran, DO
Harsh D Patel, MD
Aman K Patel, DO
Hani R Rashid, DO
Charis G Santini, MD
Hamzeh Saraireh, MD
Aron Simkins, MD
Aviral Singh, DO
Obada Tayyem, MD
Ryan Thomas
Deepthi Thotakura, MD

Finalists, Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement Patient Safety
Natalie Chavarria Walton, MD
Bryan Kennedy, MD

Winner (Podium Presenter), Resident/Fellow Basic Research
Judy Trieu, MD

Finalists, Resident/Fellow Clinical Research
Erwin E Argueta, MD
Jose Benjamin Cruz Rodriguez, MD
Stephanie Mattathil, MD
Anthony Vande Hei, MD

Finalists, Resident/Fellow High Value Care
Andrew Hawyrlak, MD
Kirill Lipatov, MD

Finalist, Medical Student Quality Improvement Patient Safety
Carolina Velez-Mejia

Winner (Podium Presenter), Medical Student Clinical Vignette
Lindsey Snyder

Winner (Podium Presenter), Medical Student High Value Care
Anisha P Ganguly

Finalists, Medical Student Clinical Vignette
Drew Ferguson
Jordan Krieger
Caroline McCool
John R Ogden
Cameron B Strong
Ang Xu

Doctor's Dilemma 2017
Get Ready to Cheer on the two Texas Teams Representing the state in the National Doctor's Dilemma Competition. This year, 50 teams will compete in the quest for the coveted Osler Cup!

Representing Texas Southern Region:
McGovern Medical School -The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Raymundo Alain Quintana-Quezada, MD
Giovanni Davogustto, MD
Uday Sandhu, MD

Representing Texas Northern Region:
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Anurag Mehta, MD
Tri Le, MD
Nimish Shah, MD
Nitin Kondamudi, MD

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Spring 2017 BOG Resolutions

Feedback Requested by March 21, 2017:

Spring 2017 Resolutions to be heard at the Board of Governors meeting.

We would like to request your feedback by March 21 regarding the following resolutions that will be heard at the Spring 2017 Board of Governors meeting.

After reading the resolutions, please send your comments indicating whether or not you support a resolution by e-mailing Dr. Sue Bornstein & Dr. George Crawford at TXACP@texmed.org.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to review and provide comments regarding these resolutions. By providing your feedback on the Board of Governors resolutions, your comments can help shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine. Your Governors will voice your concerns as part of their testimony on behalf of the chapter at the Spring 2017 Board of Governors Meeting. Please visit the chapter's Web site after the Spring 2017 Board of Governors meeting for updates.


Spring 2017 BOG Resolutions (download the PDF Version here)

Resolution 10-S16. Supporting the Expansion of Medicaid and Health Care Marketplaces for Non-Citizen Residents of the United States (Sponsor: Illinois Northern Chapter)
Resolution 1-S17. Updating ACP Policy to Advocate Banning the Sale of Tobacco Products at All Retail Pharmacies (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)
Resolution 2-S17. Recognizing Hate Crimes as a Public Health Issue (Sponsor: Council of Resident/Fellow Members)
Resolution 3-S17. Supporting the Older Americans Act (Sponsor: District of Columbia Chapter)
Resolution 4-S17. Updating the ACP Gender Pay Gap Policy to Address Pay Disparities within Medicine among All Groups (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)
Resolution 5-S17. Updating ACP Policy on Narrow Networks (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)
Resolution 6-S17. Promoting Transparency in Conversion to Medicare Advantage Plans (Sponsor: New York Chapter)
Resolution 7-S17. Advocating for a Uniform Filing Deadline for Medical Claims Submissions (Sponsor: District of Columbia Chapter)
Resolution 8-S17. Advocating for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Electronic Health Records (Sponsor: New York Chapter)
Resolutions 9-S17 Assisting ACP Members to Establish a Direct Primary Care Practice (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)
Resolution 10-S17. Exploring a Comprehensive ACP Educational Program in Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse (Sponsor: New York Chapter)
Resolution 11-S17. Accelerating High-Quality Research in Cost-Effectiveness, Comparative Effectiveness, and Safety of Non-Opioid Pain Treatments (Sponsor: Illinois Chapter)
Resolution 12-S17. Clarifying ACP Policy/Opinion Regarding Generic Medications (Sponsor: District of Columbia Chapter)
Resolution 13-S17. Assuring Chapter Input on National Award Nominations, Mastership Conferrals and Committee Appointments (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)
Resolution 14-S17. Increasing Chapter Funding Based on Per Capita/Membership (Sponsor: Florida Chapter)

Fall 2017 Resolutions accepted until April 7. Do you have a Resolution you would like to propose? Contact your Chapter Governors TXACP@texmed.org and learn more here.     

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NEW ACP Practice Advisor Module Addresses Patient and Family Engagement

ACP has launched its newest ACP Practice Advisor Module: Patient and Family Engagement The module covers new and innovative ways to ensure that your practice is employing the latest communication techniques, such using your electronic health record to send out reminders and getting family members involved in care, to help with everything from lowering readmissions to improving medication adherence. This module was developed with ACP's Center for Patient Partnership in Healthcare to ensure that its focus is on putting the patient's needs first. Funding for this module is provided by a grant as part of the CMS Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPi), the federal program supporting new models of health care delivery and payment that will be enacted by 2019.

Successful completion of this activity enables the participant to earn CME and MOC Practice Assessment points. Practice Advisor® modules address criteria needed to become a patient-centered medical home and support efforts to align with the TCPi.

More information about ACP's practice transformation tools is online

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ACP Services Leadership Day

Please Join Us for Leadership Day 2017 on Capitol Hill
* May 23-24, 2017 * Washington, DC
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Make your hotel reservation

Register Today
Tentative Program Agenda
Texas Chapter Travel Stipend Funding Form

Leadership Day is the College’s annual two-day advocacy event in Washington, DC that enables our members from across the country to bring our issues of concern to U.S. lawmakers. This is a great opportunity for the College and our members to bring our policy priorities to Congress and try to influence the legislative process on behalf of internal medicine. First time attending Physicians are eligible for a $500 travel stipend to offset travel expenses. Medical Student and Residents are eligible for a $1,500 travel stipend to attend. Funding is limited and based on availability.     

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200+ Preceptors Needed for GIMSPP 2017!

The General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP) provides first and second year medical students with clinical experience of general internal medicine for 2 to 4 week rotations during their summer break.  

We are expecting upwards of 400 student applications for 2017, and will need at least 200 available preceptors to provide a good experience for everyone. We are in need of your assistance to help match these students.  To get the process started, please complete the Preceptor Availability Form.  You do not yet need to know your schedule in order to sign up.  

New Incentives:  As a valued volunteer preceptor, you will be eligible for incentives:

The ACP's "Teaching Medicine" 6 Book Series or
FREE Registration to the TXACP 2017 Annual Meeting
PLUS, if you are an ACP member, you will receive $100 off your ACP dues!
*In order to qualify as a preceptor, you must be board certified in Internal Medicine and have no active license restrictions.  

Last summer, more than 160 students from all 9 medical schools were matched through our program, the highest number matched in 13 years.

Preceptorships are meant to be hands-on experiences that will get the students interested in pursuing Internal Medicine upon graduation.  On average, nearly 40% of students who participate in the GIMSPP plan to pursue Internal Medicine after medical school.  Even if the student does not pursue IM, the experience is still a valid and important one in helping them make their decision.  Your volunteerism can help shape the future of internal medicine.

Visit www.gimspp.org to learn more.

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Register Now for the 5th Annual Texas Primary Care and Health Home Summit                                                                                                      

Join your colleagues for the annual Texas Primary Care and Health Home Summit from May 11-12, 2017
at the Sheraton Gunter in San Antonio, Texas.


Participants will leave the Summit with:   
  • An understanding of the health home and how it promotes accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective health care.
  • Awareness of best practices to improve the primary care practice for all types of patients (children, youth, adults, individuals with special needs and/or chronic diseases).
  • An understanding of value-based contracting and how practices can participate in it.
  • Knowledge about the elements of Accountable Care Organizations with the opportunity to learn from successful ACOs in Texas.
  • Examples of successful integration of behavioral health services into primary care practices.
  • A focus on consumer engagement and strengthened partnerships between families, providers, and the health care system.

    Stay tuned for email highlights on pre-summit courses!
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!
Please email sondrias@texashealthinstitute.org for more information. 
 
 #PrimaryCareIsPrimary
Presented by the Texas Medical Home Initiative and Texas Health Institute
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Welcome New Members

We are honored to welcome the following members who have elected to membership within the last few months.

 

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Member News

Alejandro Moreno, MD, MPH, JD, FCLM, FACP was recently honored as an Immigrant of Achievement by American Gateways. Read full press release here.

Kudos to member Beth Kassanoff, MD, FACP for her contribution to an article in the current ACP Internist. Read full press release here.

Fred Campbell, MD, FACP shares the physician's perspective at legislative forum in Texas. Read full press release here.

Marvin J Stone, MD, MACP, named one of Southwestern Medical Foundation’s 13 New Trustees. Read full press release here.

Marian Chen-Hah, MD has been recognized among the top in her industry by the Expert Network. Read full press release here.

The Leading Physicians of the World to introduce H. Wayne Smith, MD, an accomplished retired Internist in Texas. Read full press release here.

Congratulations to TXACP Board Member, Cynthia Jumper, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech School of Medicine on her election to the AMA Council on Medical Education.  

 

Send news of your accomplishments, or that of a colleague, to: Becca Lawson, TXACP Staff, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701; fax to (512) 370-1635; or e-mail to Becca Lawson.

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ACP Recruit-a-Colleague Program

Recommend ACP membership to your colleagues and earn a significant discount on your membership dues or even free membership. Now you have the opportunity to provide your colleagues with the same clinical support and educational resources that you have enjoyed as an ACP member. READ MORE

RECRUIT A COLLEAGUE TODAY

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Thank you for being a member of the ACP.