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
Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, FACP
Dr. Opole is a graduate of the School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya and completed his graduate doctoral degree at the University of California, Irvine. He has practiced Hospital Medicine at the University of Kansas Health System for the last eighteen years, and currently serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the Kansas University Medical Center.
He is a member of the ACP Board of Regents and former Governor of the Kansas Chapter of the ACP. He has served the ACP in various capacities and committees, including the Governance Committee, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee, Restoring the Story Task Force, Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee, National Awards and Mastership Task Force, and the Global Engagement Committee.
Dr. Opole has been a life-long clinical educator, focusing on building a strong clinical foundation amongst his trainees through curricular and institutional enhancements to improve patient and educational outcomes. Outside the clinical realm, Dr. Opole is also passionate about Global Health and health disparities and is a champion for advocacy in healthcare. He is the current President of ACP Services and the Chair of the Board of ACP Services PAC, which is dedicated to advocating for legislation that promotes and enhances the interests of Internal Medicine Physicians.
Josephine Reece, MD, FACP, FAAP
Dr. Reece is a practicing internal medicine and pediatric physician at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. She also completed a Certificate in Global Health through the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Public Health and Board Certification in Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers' Health through the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. After completing her medical school and residency training in her home state of West Virginia, she joined Baylor College of Medicine's Global Health Corp in Liberia. There she worked as a consultant at the national referral hospital, taught Liberian medical students, interns and medical officers as well as assisted with curriculum development for their own residency programs that were established in 2013. After her time in Liberia, she returned home to WVU to join the faculty in the Department of Medicine to continue her love of academic medicine, teaching and mentoring medical students and residents, and founded the internal medicine residency program's global health track. A firm believer that global is local, she is passionate about building sustainable and bidirectional partnerships that allow her learners to become better physicians by experiencing new ideas, increased diversity, practicing with limited resources and communicating across cultures while also providing needed care and training to the local community.
She has been a member of ACP since she was a medical student and has served on the Advisory Council and as Chair of the Women in Medicine committee for her WV state chapter of ACP. Dr. Reece has won numerous state chapter awards for volunteerism and community service. She previously served on the ACP National Volunteerism Committee and has spoken at the national ACP Internal Medicine Meeting on personal and professional growth through volunteerism. Dr. Reece joined the Global Engagement Committee this year and is excited to be a part of a diverse group focused on global engagement for all ACP members across the world.
Drs. Opole and Reece's commitment to improving the healthcare system, global perspectives, and expertise make them invaluable assets to our committee and the broader medical community.
Learn more about the Committee and its 2023-24 Members
Back to the November 2023 issue of ACP Global