In today's globally networked world, nurturing international communication, collaboration, and engagement is critical to our health care mission. The American College of Physicians (ACP) is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, recognizing the indispensable role of internal medicine physicians in this global endeavor. Our Global Engagement Committee (GEC) is a diverse assembly of internal medicine physicians and staff from around the world. This committee is a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions. As medical challenges know no borders, the dedication of our GEC members toward global engagement is genuinely commendable. Their consistent efforts enhance mutual understanding and cultural exchange and catalyze advancements in research and technology. This approach equips us to address complex health issues effectively and promotes global collaboration. The ACP's steadfast commitment to inclusivity, equity, patient-centric care, and systems that foster professional fulfillment and well-being are paramount in building bridges of understanding among diverse cultures and nations.
GEC featured members
Eric Javier Ulloa Isaza, MD, MMM, FACP
Dr. Ulloa graduated from the University of Panama School of Medicine, completing his training in Internal Medicine at Social Security Medical Complex in 1984. He also completed an executive program of Master of Medical Management (MMM) at Tulane University School of Public Health in conjunction with INCAE Business school and received a certificate in Palliative Care. In addition to this, he studied Tropical Medicine at Gorgas Memorial Laboratory with the US Navy. He practices general internal medicine in private practice but has previously served as Chief of Emergency Medical Services al Gorgas Army Hospital, National Director for Health Services Provision at the Ministry of Health, Vice- Minister of Health, and Health Quality Coordinator at Social Security Hospitals.
He is a former president of the Panamanian Association of Internal Medicine and has been ACP Central America Chapter Governor since September 2019, where he has successfully established committees and further engaged students, residents, and early career physicians in Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Serving as Governor has expanded his tools and knowledge to work better in the primary care and health quality arena. He has served on ACP's Chapters Subcommittee and Global Engagement Committee.
His administrative functions in the Public Health Area and Health Quality have made him aware of the importance of the social determinants of health not only in Panama, but also in several countries in Central America, having the opportunity to participate in The Council of Ministries of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA) and other international forums. Working in the Global Engagement Committee has expanded his knowledge of how healthcare is provided in different countries and how every country is trying to improve the health quality and the well-being of their physicians and working environments, using different tools and techniques that can be shared and applied in our own countries.
Aman P. Nijjar, MD, MPH, FACP, FRCPC
Dr. Nijjar completed medical school at U.C. Irvine and Internal Medicine residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Centre, before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia. There, she completed a 2-year fellowship in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Clinician Investigator Program. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor with the Division of General Internal Medicine at UBC. She is committed to medical education and local leadership. At the medical school level, she is the Year 3 Site Director for the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program at UBC. She is also the Division Head for General Internal Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital. Her clinical and research interests include ambulatory care, advance care planning, and building a diverse and inclusive physician workforce.
Dr. Nijjar is the current Governor for the ACP British Columbia chapter. She first joined ACP as a medical student when she presented a clinical case at the ACP Annual Meeting Medical Student Abstract competition. ACP has allowed her to connect with the larger world of Internal Medicine and bring the relevant professional resources and advocacy to her province. Dr. Nijjar is now looking forward to expanding her role to include global engagement as a member of the Global Engagement Committee.
Harumi Gomi, MD, MPH, MHPE, FACP, FIDSA
Dr. Harumi Gomi is Governor of the American College of Physicians Japan Chapter, Class of 2027. She is a clinician educator and a specialist in Infectious Diseases. She has been appointed as Dean of Medical Education and Professor of Medicine at the Center for Infectious Diseases, International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine. Her major interest includes clinical practice and education in the field of infectious diseases, especially in clinical reasoning. She graduated from Okayama University Medical School, Japan. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Mount Sinai, New York, and her fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School. She also obtained a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, her master's degree in Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, United States, and another master's degree in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University School of Health Professions Education, the Netherlands.
After she trained in the United States, she served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Southern Illinios University School of Medicine. Her professional journey as a clinician educator started after she returned to Japan. She is one of the pioneer specialists in infectious diseases in the country and has been developing postgraduate fellowships and the subspecialty of infectious diseases since then. In 2017, there was a historical change in Japan when a brand-new medical school was founded to provide medical education in English and Japanese for the first time. She joined this brand-new medical school in 2018, had the first cohort of graduates in 2023, and has been appointed as Dean of Medical Education since 2023. She also serves as the expert in medical education for the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education in Japan, and as Secretary of the Continuing Professional Development Committee, Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
She has devoted herself to and has a strong passion for establishing a learning environment for students and other learners, which is inclusive, globally competitive, widely open to the global society, stimulating, and innovative. With this career mission, she would like to serve as Governor to pursue three visions. These are promoting diversity in the Japan Chapter, promoting evidence-based best practices in education in the stages of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development, and promoting evidence-based preventive medicine in Japan. As a member of the Global Engagement Committee, her focus is to collaborate further with the chapters to enhance learning among students, residents, and clinicians by introducing sustainable educational exchange programs among the chapters.
Learn more about the Committee and its 2023-24 Members
Back to the January 2024 issue of ACP Global