Spring 2015

 

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-Elect Message


Maureen Francis, MD, FACP
TXACP President - Elect

Dear Texas ACP members,

Earlier this month was an eventful time for our 4th year medical students as they received the results of the “match” and found out where they would be headed for their residency training.  I am sure that the excitement was palpable all week on campuses across the country and the world, as we all waited for the magic moment when the envelopes were opened!  Advance data from the National Residency Matching Program indicate that 74.1% of U.S. Seniors matched to one of their top three choices (http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ADT2015_final.pdf).  Big smiles.  Joyful tears, shouts of happiness and sighs of relief were all heard! However, another more unpleasant statistic is that 5.5% of US Seniors did not match to a residency training program.  Some may find positions after the main match, but the future is much more uncertain for them.

This uncovers a problem that has crept up over the last few years as the number of US medical school graduates has increased without a corresponding increase in the number of training spots in graduate medical education (GME).  This is occurring as the US faces a growing shortage of physicians in key specialties, most notably in primary care. The American College of Physicians is actively involved in advocating for change in this area. In a recent letter to the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dr. David Fleming, ACP President, wrote “Medicare GME- funding limits on residency training positions have impeded the establishment of new residency programs and additional training positions in existing programs.”  He then goes on to call for a thorough assessment of the” supply, specialty mix, and distribution of physicians,” stating that this should be a top priority for the National Healthcare Workforce Commission. The ACP has also supported legislation aimed at increasing the number of GME spots by 15% (https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where_we_stand/workforce/ ).

There is also much discussion of GME at the State Capitol, with legislation filed by Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to address Texas’ medical workforce needs by expanding GME. Senate Bill 18, supported by the Texas Chapter of the ACP, aims to bring the state closer to the goal of one residency spot for every Texas medical school graduate and has included support of the Primary Care Preceptorship Programs (Positively impacting the Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Pediatrics Programs).

This is a complicated problem as we face national deficits, but one that will need to be confronted if we are to adequately care for our population. Please consider joining the Texas Chapter delegates in Washington, DC for Leadership Day 2015 on May 20-21 to advocate for these and other issues and make your voice heard!

 

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Governor’s Farewell Message


Robert E. Jackson, MD, FACP
Governor, TX Southern Region

Reflections on a Decade with Texas ACP

“Never can say goodbye…”
Clifton Davis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Hg3nvfP-Y

Since 2004 I have had the privilege of sitting on the Board of Directors of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians. It has been an extraordinary experience! I have seen the Chapter grow, evolve and become a national leader in the fields of quality, innovation, and advocacy. This transformation has been possible because of three key crucial domains that are demonstrated in high functioning organizations:  RESOURCES, VISION and COMMITMENT.

Resources are essential for any organization. Before my tenure prior TxACP leaders had exercised prudence and vision in managing dues, investments for the future and focusing on membership. The production of quality annual statewide scientific meetings has helped bring important resources to our chapter. Our ability to fund projects and maintain a high level of excellence at our annual meetings, student interest groups, preceptorship programs and Associates Day are predicated on appropriate resource management.

An example of vision enabling our Texas Chapter ‘s transformation includes the formation of a Quality Committee of the Board of Directors. This committee reports to Texas ACP Services, our advocacy arm. Currently, the Quality Committee is the convening body of the Texas Medical Home Initiative (TMHI). You can take pride in that your Chapter single-handedly brought the concept of the Medical Home to Texas before anyone had any idea what a Patient Centered Medical Home was.

Another example of vision includes the formation of a Foundation that raises money for essential programmatic development. The Foundation reports to the Board of Directors and is a creative and innovative vehicle. Presently we are focused on support of the General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP). This specific initiative allows us to be untethered from the vagaries of a biennial Texas Legislature which previously was our sole means of support. Both the TMHI and Foundation’s excellent work have garnered the Texas Chapter two John Tooker Evergreen Award presented by national ACP. These awards are highly competitive and demonstrate nationally our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Our own Awards Committee has recognized service in the fields of education and advocacy. We have developed two new awards during the last ten years. The Snyder/Chumley Advocate of the Year Award and the Early Career Physician Leader Award recognize our past leaders in advocacy and our honest commitment to the new generation of physicians.  

Commitment requires real “skin in the game”. Time is the coin-of-the-realm for physicians and developing relationships is a time consuming. As Professor Andy Diehl would say, “this is a contact sport!” Building our relationships with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) has truly been a contact sport and a decade in the making. This relationship has strengthened both organizations.  Because of our commitment, Texas ACP now has membership on important committees, councils, and chairmanships. TMA looks to the Texas Chapter for leadership and we have delivered!

So what of the future?  Our Texas Chapter must continue to be a leader in our great State AND nationally.  It’s a trite but true saying that if you’re not at the table you’re probably going to be on the menu.  Texas internists MUST remain Texas ACP members and help increase our membership rolls. Membership is the life- blood of any effective organization. No matter what specialty we are in, whether employed or in private practice, administrators or part of a health care team, the American College of Physicians is our professional home. As a Chapter we are stronger and more optimistic than we have ever been. No other physician group has the prestige, respect and authority that the largest organization of specialty physicians in the world has—the American College of Physicians! Thank you, Texas Chapter, for allowing me to participate in a decade of transformation. It’s been a great ride!

 

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Who INSPIRES YOU? Nominate Your Colleagues for an ACP National Award &/or Mastership

Honor those individuals that have INSPIRED you, and they may join the prestigious group of 20 individuals from Texas who have been recognized in the past with a National Award, or perhaps, as part of the class of 50 Texas Physicians who have been awarded the highest honor of being recognized as Masters of the College.

One of the goals of the American College of Physicians is to “recognize excellence and distinguished contributions to internal medicine.” As a way of achieving this goal, the College offers 20 national awards and a number of Masterships each year.

The Nominator supplies five letters of support (his or her nomination letter and four additional supporting letters) as well as the nominee’s curriculum vitae with complete bibliography via the online submission form. The Awards Committee reviews all nominees at their yearly meeting and scores each individually. The nominees with the highest scores are recommended as candidates for awards and Masterships to the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents reviews the candidates and, if found to represent the highest standards of the College, approves the candidates. Approved candidates are informed by their Governors and formally presented their awards and Masterships at the annual Internal Medicine meeting approximately six months later.

Key Dates

April 1

Richard Neubauer Advocate for Internal Medicine Award nomination materials due

April 1

Johnson Award nomination materials due

July 1

Nomination materials due for all other awards and Masterships — materials received after this date will be held for consideration in the following year’s cycle

September

Awards Committee selects recommended candidates; Board of Regents reviews/approves candidates

November

Announcements made on ACP Online and via message to all nominators

Responsibilities of the Nominator
Nomination Form
Advocates for Internal Medicine Network: Richard Neubauer Award Nomination Form
Nomination Process
Guide to Nomination & Supporting Letters
Awards & Mastership FAQs
Awards & Mastership Booklet

To view the list of your fellow TXACP Physicians recognized for excellence and distinguished contributions to internal medicine through the past years, please click here.

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ACP Announces New Masters and Awardees for 2015

The Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the Board of Regents has approved the following individuals and institutions to receive College awards and Masterships at Internal Medicine 2015.

Please join us in congratulating the awardees and new Masters.

Ralph O. Claypoole Sr. Memorial Award for Devotion of a Career in Internal Medicine to the Care of Patients
W. Mark Armstrong., MD, FACP
Dallas, Texas

Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award for Outstanding Contributions to Humanism in Medicine
Ruth E. Berggren, MD, FACP
San Antonio, Texas

Samuel Eichold II Memorial Award for Contributions in Diabetes
Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD, FACP
San Antonio, Texas

Masterships

Harry E. Davis II, MD, MACP
El Paso, Texas

David H. Johnson, MD, MACP
Dallas, Texas

Michael J. Morris, MD, MACP
San Antonio, Texas

William L. Winters Jr., MD, MACP
Houston, Texas

Janice Zimmerman, MD, MACP
Houston, Texas

If you would like to personally congratulate any of the new awardees or Masters, please contact Meghann Williams, Administrator, Awards Program, by e-mail at mewilliams@acponline.org, 800-523-1546, ext. 2714 or 215-351-2714.

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Save the Date! Texas Chapter Reception at IM2015

                                                 You and your guest are invited to the

                                    Texas ACP Chapter and Alumni Cocktail Reception

                                                              Friday, May 1st
                                                                6:00 - 7:30pm

                                                   The Westin Boston Waterfront

                                                        Held in Conjunction with
                                                   ACP Internal Medicine 2015
                                                          Boston, Massachusetts

                                                   Additional information to follow

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Medical Students and Residents Accepted to Present at Internal Medicine 2015

Congratulations to all the Medical Students and Residents presenting at this year's Internal Medicine, April 30 - May 2, in Boston, Massachusetts. We are wishing them all the best of luck with their presentations. Please check our Facebook page prior to the meeting to find the competition locations so you may show them TXACP's support by cheering them on!
 

Medical Students

Charis Santini
Sara Cromer
Katrin Eurich
Anna A Garza
Andrea Gaspar
Shruti Hegde
Skyler M White

Residents

Kazeen Nuri Abdullah, MD Vineet S. Gudsoorkar, MBBS
Joyce Alencherril, DO Anam Hameed, MD
Crystal Hlaing, MD Satoko Kanahara, MD
Pratik Naik, MD Kelvin J. Lee, MD
Juan Remirez, MD Veena A. Patel, MD
Rajeev Singh, MD Alexander Postalian, MD
Jesus Vera-Aguilera, MD Quintana Quezada A Raymundo, MD
Alexander L. Bullen Clarke, MD Minal A. Shah, MD
Alfredo Camero Jr, MD Andrea M. Shioleno, MD
Kongkiat Chaikriangkrai, MD Rumit P. Thakkar, DO
Gregory Constantine, MD Adil Sulaiman Zahiruddin, MD

Doctor's Dilemma Team
Baylor College of Medicine - Houston
Salman Ahmed, MD
Andrea Lack, MD
Rohit Maini, MD

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Register Now for Internal Medicine 2015

April 30-May 2
Boston, Massachusetts


2015 marks ACP's 100th anniversary! There is still time to join ACP and thousands of your colleagues in Boston, Massachusetts, and transform the way you practice medicine. Internal Medicine 2015 is the only meeting of its kind—combining clinical skills workshops with over 200 scientific sessions to update your knowledge in all facets of internal medicine and the subspecialties.

Refresh your internal medicine knowledge, sharpen your practice management skills, and network with the best and brightest physicians from around the globe. All of this plus a variety of special events including a reception for International attendees make this a meeting not to be missed.

Register today!

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Residents' Day Events 2015 Schedule

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 new physicians to showcase their hard work locally at one of our five Residents regional competitions.

SE Region
Host: UTMB Health
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015
Time: 11am - 5:15pm
Location: The Research Bldg 6

NW Region
Host: Texas Tech HSC-Internal Medicine Lubbock Campus
Date: Wednesday, April, 15 2015
Time: 6 - 9pm
Location: ACB Classroom 3601

NE Region
Host: Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Time: 5 - 9pm
Location: Haggar Hall L.L in Fogelson Forum  

SW Region
Host: SAUSHEC
Date: Friday May, 15 2015
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Fort Sam Golf Club
                1050 Harry Wurzbach

FNW Region
Host: Texas Tech HSC- PLFSOM
Date: Tuesday May, 5 2015 - Poster Session
Date: Thursday May, 7 2015 - Doctor's Dilemma
Time: 11:30pm - 1:30pm
Location: Texas Tech HSC-PLFSOM
                 4800 Alberta Ave

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CECP Accepting Nominations for Co-Chair, Texas Northern

The Texas Chapter of the CECP is currently looking for candidates for the Texas Northern Co-Chair Elect.  The Texas Northern Co-Chair Elect will serve as Co-Chair Elect for one year. As the Co-Chair Elect, you will participate on monthly conference calls, contribute to newsletter articles and observe the current Co-Chair. Once the Co-Chair’s term has ended, you will attend the three Texas Chapter of the ACP Board meetings held throughout the year. The Co-Chair elect will serve two years as the Co-Chair and one year as the Immediate Past Co-Chair. If you are interested in this leadership opportunity, please submit your CV and a brief summary of why you would be a good Co-Chair Elect to our chapter office contact, Nicole Abbott, Nicole.abbott@texmed.org or call (512) 370-1528. 

The mission of the Council of Young Physicians is to enhance the professional development and quality of life of young physicians and to foster their involvement in College activities.  Throughout the year, CECP members host physician networking and mentoring events.

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3rd Annual Texas Primary Care and Health Home Summit

June 18-19, 2015
Marriott Plaza San Antonio
555 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205

 

Registration Now Open!

CMEs and CNEs will be provided!

The 2015 Texas Primary Care and Health Home Summit will be the third annual statewide conference focused specifically on expanding access to medical home for individuals and families in Texas. This year, we are expanding the Summit to appeal to practices that are interested in learning about new models of primary care but that may not be quite ready to make the transition to becoming a health/medical home.  In addition, this year’s Summit will include sessions on successful models in pediatric health homes as well as best practices in transitions of care.  We will once again offer a number of pre-summit sessions on Thursday morning for those that want to explore topics in greater depth.

For more information on this event please read more here.

In the meantime, please contact Stephanie Ondrias at sondrias@texashealthinstitute.org if you have any questions.

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New Tool Available for Integrating Primary Care and Public Health

A new tool to integrate primary care and public health called "A Practical Playbook: Public Health & Primary Care Together" is now available online.  http://practicalplaybook.org/ 

The Playbook, developed by the CDC, Duke Community and Family Medicine, and the de Beaumont Foundation, is an interactive, Web-based tool that helps primary care clinicians and public health groups find productive ways to work together to better manage chronic diseases. The project's goal is to increase the quality of care while keeping health care costs in check.

ACP's state of Washington Governor, Carrie A. Horwitch, MD, MPH, FACP, is on the National Advisory Committee.

Leadership Day on Capitol Hill 2015

May 20-21, 2015

Westin Washington DC City Center
1400 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

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.

A limited number of travel stipends are available for first-time attending physician, Medical Student and/or Resident/Fellow members. To learn more and apply for a travel stipend, the application will open on March 27th. For more information and to apply for a travel stipend on this date, please click here.

Register Now!
Make your Hotel Reservations
Tentative Program Agenda Outline

Find Your Elected Officals

For more information, contact Shuan Tomlinson at stomlinson@acponline.org or (800) 338-2746 ext. 4547

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ACP Webinars

ACP Quality Connect Webinar

ACP Quality Connect is offering the second in the ACP Quality Connect Diabetes webinar series designed to improve diabetes care. Learn how to recapture the joy in your work as a clinician through a renewed focus on your patients, your team and your results. In just one hour, this session will explore the quality improvement landscape and provide tools to make improvement simple and measurable.

Title: Basics of Quality Improvement
Date/Time: April 7, 2015 at 6:00pm CT
Speaker: Doron Schneider, MD, FACP, Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer at Abinton Health in Abington, Pennsylvania
Acknowledgements: This program is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk and Merck
Register Now: Once the host approves your request to participate, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting


ACP Leadership Academy Webinar

The ACP Leadership Academy provides members with training and resources to prepare you for leadership roles in your organization and in the greater healthcare environment.

Formal Leadership Training

In partnership the American Association for Physician Leadership, ACP offers live meetings, faculty-led online courses, and self-study modules to help fill gaps in your leadership knowledge and to build your CV – all while earning CME.

  • ACP members receive the American Association for Physician Leadership member rate on all courses plus an additional 15% on selected courses.
  • Earn ACP Certificates of Completion for each course you finish.
  • Courses count toward becoming a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) or toward a master’s degree program in medical management from one of four prestigious universities.

As a supplement to the ACP Leadership Academy, the College offers free online webinars on leadership topics relevant to internal medicine. These webinars provide both an educational experience and a discussion forum so that you can learn, pose questions, and share ideas with leaders in the internal medicine field.

Registration is now open for the following upcoming webinar:

Title: Population Health
Date/Time: May 19, 2015 at 5:30pm CT
Cost: Free
Sign up online now

View previous free ACP Leadership Academy webinars:

The Core Tenants of Leadership
Topics in Hospital Medicine: Team-Based Leadership
Topics in Hospital Medicine: Working with Administration

 

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Meaningful Use Regulations Released for 2015

Medicare Gives Doctors Good News and Bad on Electronic Health Records

'Ridiculously complex' reporting requirements for 2015 follow more flexible rules for 2014

A flexible new Medicare rule on electronic health records will help physicians meet reporting requirements for 2014, but the rule also sets standards so high for 2015 that it may prompt physicians to simply throw up their hands, say experts for the American College of Physicians.

The new rule, released in September by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, gives physicians several options for meeting reporting requirements of the Meaningful Use Program, said Dr. Peter Basch, who chairs ACP's Medical Informatics Committee. That's especially important, he said, because many vendors were late in releasing the 2014 certified version of EHR software.

Doctors can use a combination of the old and new software versions, or opt between CMS Stage 1 and Stage 2 meaningful use standards, to meet 2014 requirements for the Meaningful Use Program, Basch said. To continue the article please read more here.

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Congratulations to Our New Fellows

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

Kalil I. Al-Nassir, MD, FACP, Nederland Austin Metting, MD, FACP, Temple
Victor Ankoma-Sey, MD, FACP, Houston Neha Mittal, MD, FACP, Lubbock
Suthep Arora, MBBS, FACP, Odessa Zachary Paul Mulkey, MD, FACP, Lubbock
Laura M. Cashin, DO, FACP, El Paso Charles C. Owen, Jr MD, FACP, Arlington
Leslie R. Cler, MD, FACP, Coppell Suhel Patel, MBChB, FACP, Tyler
Roberto L. Collazo, MD, FACP, Dallas Jose F. Pena, MD, FACP, Donna
Diego De La Mora, MD, FACP, Horizon City Alexandria Phan, MD, FACP, Houston
Cecilia I. Del Moral, MD, FACP, El Paso Jovan M. Popovich, MD, FACP, Pearland
Randy A. Fuentes, MD, FACP, Corpus Christi Immaraju J. Prem-Swarup, MBBS, FACP, Sugar Land
Emilio Gonzalez-Ayala, MD, FACP, El Paso Kara Prescott, MD, FACP, Dallas
Joseph A. Hill, MD,PhD, FACP, Dallas Dorothy C. Serna, MD, FACP, Cypress
Bielose C. Konwe, MBBS, FACP, Coppell Hugo M. Toro-Botero, MD, FACP, Katy
Darla G. Lowe, MD, FACP, Belton Techksell M. Washington, MD, FACP, Galveston
Heidi L. Matus, MD, FACP, Houston Austin O. Williams, MD, FACP, Missouri City
Rebecca N. McDonald, MD, FACP, Lubbock  



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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Welcome New Members

We are proud to welcome the following new members who have joined the Chapter during the last four months.

Ricardo A. Abraham, MD, Brownsville Binusha Moitheennazima, MBBS, Nacogdoches
Benyam G. Alemu, MD, San Antonio Mallikarjuna R. Mukka, MBBS, Fort Worth
Beshir Ali, MD, Fort Worth Martina Ogbonna, Houston
Alkesh Amin, MD, Missouri City Chinelo I. Okoye, MD, Katy
Nirav R. Amin, DO, Austin Olurotimi Oladunni, Houston
Ashraf Anani, MD, Round Rock Viresh Patel, MD, Houston
Steven Argumedo, MD, San Antonio Jose J. Perez, MD, Manvel
Chevelle Brudey, MD, Dallas Ruth E. Pilco-Jaber, MD, Amarillo
Paul Alexander Compton, MD, Dallas Salvador R. Recio, MD, Kingwood
Saraswathi Dopathi, MBBS, Round Rock Robert Ruiz, MD, Odessa
Nneka Uzoamaka Edokpayi, MD, Sugar Land Leena L. Samuel, MD, Sugar Land
Chukwudi I. Eke, MBBS, Sugar Land Daniel Schatz, Houston
Karl B. Finley, MD, Frisco Jordan Shapiro, MD, Houston
Abdul Hafeez, MD, Southlake Kirk L. Smith, MD, PhD, Galveston
Grace Idemudia, MD, Killeen Jose Andres Soto, MD, Dallas
Mahmuda Islam, MBBS, Frisco Lydia A. Sutherlun, MD, Temple
Fawzia Javed MD, Houston Mahnaz Taremi, MD, Houston
Khawer Khadimally, DO, San Antonio Thanh Tran, MD, Dallas
Sumbal K. Khan, MD, Austin Meliana Trinidad, Plano
Kanapa Kornsawad, MD, San Antonio Cesar C. Uy Jr, MD, Spring
Graciela Leija, MD, Brownsville David Keebok Warren, MD, Austin
Shan R. Luong, Dallas Tonia Yee, MD, Dallas
Jane S. Mathews, MD, Temple Stella C. Yeung, MD, Houston
Rita M. Medrano Juarez, MD, Lubbock Ali Ziaolhagh, MD, Houston
Mohamed Mohamed-Aly, MD, Montgomery  

 

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Member Kudos

Northwest Texas Healthcare System Appoints Brian Weis, MD, PhD, FACP, as New Chief Medical Officer.

Robert Duncan, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, announced recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso at the annual Chancellor’s Council faculty awards. Harry E. Davis II, MD, MACP, associate professor and vice chair for education in the department of internal medicine received a Distinguished Teaching Award. Richard W. McCallum, MD, FACP, professor and founding chair of the department of internal medicine at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine received a Distinguished Research Award.

USMD Adds Hedieh Davanloo, MD, FACP and Paul Fabela, MD to Expanding Provider Base.

Lisa L. Ehrlich, MD, FACP named Houston Academy of Medicine (HAM) 2015 President.

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.

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