Puerto Rico Chapter News

Congratulations New Chapter Fellow

  • Gabriel Galindez De Jesus, MD FACP

(April 2024) Congratulations to the Chapter's new Fellow. Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internal medicine physician lives and practices. 

Member Feedback is Requested on Spring 2024 Resolutions

(February 2024) Twenty-one (21) resolutions will be considered at the Spring 2024 Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting. With the exception of Resolution 9-S24, which will not be debated because this resolution is slated for adoption as a reaffirmation, please review each resolution and then indicate your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by the deadline your ACP Chapter Governor has requested or by midnight March 13, whichever comes first. 

Your comments will be forwarded to your Governor to be used as part of his/her testimony on behalf of the chapter. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Giampietro, BOG Administrator, at chapter@acpmembership.org. Thank you for your input. 

(NOTE: Proposed resolutions should be considered confidential information and are intended to be viewed by ACP members only. Under no circumstances should proposed resolutions be shared with the news media or social networking media, nor should they be shared with other individuals and organizations. Proposed resolutions do not represent ACP policy.)

Call for Fall 2024 Resolutions

(February 2024) Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you'd like to suggest? If so, you might consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or chapter council.  

Initiating a resolution provides ACP members an opportunity to focus attention at the ACP national level on a particular issue or topic that concerns them. Participating in the Board of Governors resolutions process provides the ACP grassroots member a voice and allows you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine.  

Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. The just released ACP Board of Governors Resolutions Guide for ACP Members is now available to download and will help, too. The Guide was created to provide members a short overview of the resolutions process essentials and highlights critical ACP online resources you must use.  

Once drafted, members must submit resolutions to their Governor and/or chapter council. Chapter council approval is required to move resolutions forward to ACP national. Although not official ACP policy, a resolution becomes property of the chapter once the chapter council approves forwarding it to national. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Fall 2024 Board of Governors Meeting is March 29, 2024. 

Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution. 

Congratulations New Chapter Fellows

  • Jose Antonio Gaudier, Jr, MD FACP
  • Pedro D Gil De Rubio, MD FACP
  • Arelis Febles, MD FACP

(February 2024) Congratulations to the Chapter's new Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internal medicine physician lives and practices. 

2024 Medical Student, Resident, and Distinguished Teacher Award Nominations Now Open

(January 2024) The Deadline for nominations is February 15, 2024. Submit your nomination via email to: rinavega@rivsmarketing.com. Awards will be presented at the March 2024 Chapter Meeting. 

Medical Student of the Year Award 

Eligibility: Candidates to be nominated for the Medical Student of the Year Award must meet the following criteria during the academic year 2023-2024:

  • Medical student in their third or fourth year.
  • ACP Member 
  • Demonstrate commitment to internal medicine, its philosophy, and principles, as demonstrated through comprehensive patient care and member of their school internal medicine interest group (IMIG)
  • Be recognized as a strong leader
  • Committed to community
  • Committed to the education and enrichment of self and others, including but not limited to continuing education, teaching, research, and publication
  • Former award recipients cannot reapply for the same award for four years.
  • Only one nominee per medical school will be accepted each year

Judging for the Award: The local Awards Committee will evaluate all nominations in these four categories: leadership, research projects, scholarly activity, and community service work

Nomination process:

  1. Self-nominations are not allowed
  2. The Medical School Dean must submit a letter of nomination
  3. Additional letters of support are encouraged

Resident of the Year Award 

Eligibility: Candidates to be nominated for the Resident of the Year Award must meet the following criteria during the academic year 2023-2024:

  • Physicians in training in their second or third year of residency. No Chief Residents
  • ACP Member
  • Demonstrate commitment to internal medicine, its philosophy, and principles, as demonstrated through comprehensive patient care
  • Be recognized as a strong leader
  • Committed to community
  • Committed to the education and enrichment of self and others, including but not limited to continuing education, teaching, research, and publication
  • Former award recipients cannot reapply for the same award for three years.
  • Only one nominee per program will be accepted each year

Judging for the Award The local Awards Committee will evaluate all nominations in these four categories: leadership, research projects, scholarly activity, and community service work

Nomination process:

  1. elf-nominations are not allowed
  2. he Program Director must submit a letter of nomination
  3. Additional letters of support are encouraged

Distinguish Teacher/Mentor of the Year Award 

Description: This award is given to a College Member who has demonstrated outstanding mentorship of students, residents, or colleagues as demonstrated by a sustained commitment to providing personal and professional guidance to other healthcare professionals.

Eligibility:

  • The program’s Chief Residents must submit a nomination letter in consensus with the program’s residents
  • ACP Member
  • The nominee’s current CV/ Resume
  • Only one nomination per program per year

Judging for the Award: The local Awards Committee will evaluate all nominations.

Nomination process:

  1. Self-nominations are not allowed 
  2. The Chief Resident must submit a letter of nomination. A letter from the program director supporting the nomination must be included. 
  3.  Additional letters of support are encouraged

2023 Clinical Vignette and Research Competition

(December 2023) Over 240 attendees participated in the educational program Improving Elderly Patient Care, 2023 Clinical Vignettes & Research Abstracts Competition & 2023 Doctor's Dilemma®, held on November 18, 2023, at the Sheraton Convention Center. This year's event included an outstanding 6 CME program on Improving elderly patient care. Concurrently, we held the 2023 Clinical Vignettes and Research Competition. This year, we had a record of 102 abstracts accepted, divided into 10 oral presentations, 80 clinical vignette posters, and 12 research posters. The Puerto Rico Chapter 2023 Abstracts E-Book is available on our Chapter Website for your reference. Special thanks to Dr. Hilton Franqui, chair of the Scientific Committee, the Puerto Rico Chapter Scientific Committee members, and the judges for their contribution to the success of this event.Congratulations to all the winners!CLINICAL VIGNETTE POSTERS1st Place: (TIE – PERFECT SCORE!) Mr. Abdiel Alicea University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Successful Treatment of Hailey-Hailey Disease with Adalimumab Dr. José Bretón Arias University District Hospital (UPR) The Ultimate Run: Acute Pancreatitis as the Debut of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus2nd Place: Dr. Alejandro Carmona University District Hospital (UPR) Vesicles, Viruses, and Vascular Inflammation: Pemphigus Masquerading as Varicella-Zoster3rd Place: Dr. Manuel del Rio VA Caribbean Healthcare System Beyond the Usual Tumble: A Rare Case of Multifocal Acute Thrombosis Following TraumaRESEARCH1st Place: Dr. Roberto Lapetina Arroyo University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve: Perception of Puerto Rican Cardiologists Regarding the Use of Smart Watches and Implantable Loop Recorders in Managing Atrial FibrillationORAL PRESENTATIONS1st place: Dr. Angélica Ludena de Freitas Dr. Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital Recurrent Tensional Pneumothorax was the Key to my Diagnosis: A Rare and Underdiagnosed Disease on a 76-year-old patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease2nd place: Dr. Alexis Torres Rodríguez Dr. Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital Abrupt and Lethal Rare Complication: A Case Report of a 32-year-old Male Who Suffered from Pyogenic Ventriculitis3rd place: Dr. Eduardo Malave La Concepcion Hospital Disseminated Histoplasmosis with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in an Immunocompromised Host

BOR Action on Fall 2023 BOG Resolutions

(December 2023) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Fall 2023 Board of Governors (BOG) meeting is now available. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the BOR.

If you have an idea you would like to suggest to ACP, consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or local ACP chapter. Visit the advocacy section of your ACP chapter website for more information on how to propose a resolution.

Congratulations New Chapter Fellows

  • Robert A Engel, MD FACP
  • Ileana Eileen Ocasio-Melendez, MD FACP

(November 2023) Congratulations to the Chapter's new Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internal medicine physician lives and practices.

2023 Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner

Chapter Excellence Award Bronze We are pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2023 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 54 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet nineteen Bronze criteria, seventeen Silver criteria and multiple Gold level activities. Criteria include such activities as having a legislative action plan or agenda, holding a volunteerism/community service activity, holding multiple stand-alone meetings, having revenue sources outside of dues and meeting registration fees, implementing a strategic plan, implementing a formal recruitment and retention plan and measuring outcomes, conducting various activities for Medical Students, Residents and Early Career Physicians.

We would like to extend a special thanks to those chapter members who assisted us in all of these endeavors! For their hard work and dedication, we received this award.

We Request Your Feedback on the Proposed Fall 2023 Board of Governors Resolutions

(August 2023) We would like to request your feedback regarding resolutions that will be considered at the Fall 2023 Board of Governors Meeting. With the exception of Resolution 3-F23 which was accepted as a reaffirmation and will not be debated, please review the balance of the slate and then indicate your support or opposition by completing the resolutions electronic response form by August 30th.

After considering the intent of each resolution and how it fits with the College’s Mission and Goals, please provide your feedback on each resolution and indicate your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by August 30. Your input will be used as part of testimony on behalf of the chapter.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to provide comments regarding these resolutions. By providing your feedback on the Board of Governors resolutions, you have helped to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine.

Congratulations New Chapter Fellows

  • Yomayra Otero, MD FACP
  • Aurea Annette Rivera-Delgado, MD FACP

(July 2023) Congratulations to the Chapter's new Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internal medicine physician lives and practices.

Call for Spring 2024 BOG Resolutions

(July 2023) Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you'd like to suggest? If so, you might consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or chapter council.  

Initiating a resolution provides ACP members an opportunity to focus attention at the ACP national level on a particular issue or topic that concerns them. Participating in the Board of Governors resolutions process provides the ACP grassroots member a voice and allows you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine.

Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. The recently released ACP Board of Governors Resolutions Guide for ACP Members is now available to download and will help, too. The Guide was created to provide members a short overview of the resolutions process essentials and highlights critical ACP online resources you must use.  

Once drafted, members must submit resolutions to their Governor and/or chapter council. Chapter council approval to move resolutions forward to ACP national is required. A resolution becomes a resolution of the chapter once the chapter council approves forwarding it to national. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Spring 2024 Board of Governors Meeting is October 16, 2023.  

Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution.

BOR Action on Spring 2023 BOG Resolutions

(June 2023) summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Spring 2023 Board of Governors (BOG) meeting is now available. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the BOR.

Chapter Members Elected to ACP Fellowship

(March 2023) We would like to congratulate our chapter members on election to Fellow of the American College of Physicians. The distinction recognizes achievements in internal medicine.

Roger E Bidondo Gil, MD FACP

Jonathan Cordero, MD FACP

Nicole Rassi-Stella, MD FACP

Fellowship is elected upon the recommendation of peers and the review of ACP’s Credentials Subcommittee. They may now use the letters “FACP” after their name in recognition of this honor. Please join me in congratulations!

Chapter Reception at Internal Medicine Meeting 2023

(March 2023) If you’re attending IMM23, please join us at our Puerto Rico Chapter Reception—6:00-8:00 p.m., Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Marriott Grand Ballroom, Section 1.

Member Feedback is Requested on Spring 2023 Resolutions

(March 2023) Fourteen (14) resolutions will be considered at the Spring 2023 Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting. Please review each resolution and then indicate your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by the deadline your ACP Chapter Governor has requested or by March 22, whichever comes first.

Your comments will be forwarded to the Chapter Governor to be used as part of their testimony on behalf of the chapter. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Giampietro, BOG Administrator, at chapter@acpmembership.org. Thank you for your input.

(NOTE: Proposed resolutions should be considered confidential information and are intended to be viewed by ACP members only. Under no circumstances should proposed resolutions be shared with the news media or social networking media, nor should they be shared with other individuals and organizations. Proposed resolutions do not represent ACP policy.)

Call for Fall 2023 Resolutions

(February 2023) Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you'd like to suggest? If so, you might consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or chapter council.

Initiating a resolution provides ACP members an opportunity to focus attention at the ACP national level on a particular issue or topic that concerns them. Participating in the Board of Governors resolutions process provides the ACP grassroots member a voice and allows you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine.

Not sure how to begin drafting a resolution? Researching the College's position on an issue can give you a start. The just released ACP Board of Governors Resolutions Guide for ACP Members is now available to download and will help, too. The Guide was created to provide members a short overview of the resolutions process essentials and highlights critical ACP online resources you must use.

Once drafted, members must submit resolutions to their Governor and/or chapter council. Chapter council approval to move resolutions forward to ACP national is required. A resolution becomes a resolution of the chapter once the chapter council approves forwarding it to national. If effecting change interests you, the deadline for submitting new resolutions to be heard at the Fall 2023 Board of Governors Meeting is March 30, 2023.

Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution.

Board of Regents Action on Fall 2022 BOG Resolutions

(November 2022) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Fall 2022 Board of Governors (BOG) meeting is now available. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the BOR.

If you have an idea you'd like to suggest to ACP, consider submitting a resolution to your Governor or local ACP chapter. Visit your ACP chapter website for more information on how to contact your Governor or chapter staff about proposing a resolution.

Congratulations to Myriam Z. Allende-Vigo MD, MACP on Mastership

(October 2022) We are excited to share that the Mastership Committee and the Board of Regents have approved Myriam Z. Allende-Vigo MD, MACP to receive recognition of being awarded a Mastership during the 2023 Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego, California.

ACP Bylaws state that Masters shall be Fellows who have been selected because of “integrity, positions of honor, impact in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine.” Masters must be highly accomplished persons demonstrating impact in practice, leadership, or in medical research. Evidence of their achievements can come from many types of endeavors, such as renown within their field and/or ACP chapter, research, education, health care initiatives, volunteerism, administrative positions, care of patients, and service to their community.

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 21 awards and a number of Masterships each year. Annually, awardees and Masters are honored at the Convocation ceremony held during the Internal Medicine meeting.

Chapter Excellence Award – Gold Winner

(September 2022) I am pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2022 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 47 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet twenty Bronze criteria, seventeen Silver criteria and multiple Gold level activities. Criteria include such activities as having a legislative action plan or agenda, holding a volunteerism/community service activity, holding multiple stand-alone meetings, having revenue sources outside of dues and meeting registration fees, implementing a strategic plan, implementing a formal recruitment and retention plan and measuring outcomes, conducting various activities for Medical Students, Residents and Early Career Physicians. I would like to extend a special thanks to those chapter members who assisted us in all of these endeavors! For their hard work and dedication, we received this award.

New Advocacy Resources Available to ACP Members and Chapters

(August 2022) We would like to make you aware of two new advocacy resources available to ACP members and chapters.

Understanding Advocacy and Why We Do It - A Comprehensive Toolkit for Chapters

ACP has created an advocacy best practices toolkit to support engagement in and the efficacy of chapter-level advocacy at the state and federal level. This comprehensive toolkit breaks down the different methods and mediums for advocacy engagement and highlights all the programs and resources offered by ACP to make the most of chapters’ advocacy efforts. This toolkit is only accessible to ACP members. 

Reproductive Health Toolkit Now Updated

ACP's toolkit for chapters to utilize in navigating issues surrounding abortion rights and related policies in their states following the overturning of Roe v. Wade has been updated. The toolkit now includes sample letters that chapters can use to advocate with state officials and information on recent federal activity. 

For questions regarding these toolkits, please submit all requests through this questionnaire to ensure we can track inquiries and respond in the most timely and efficient manner." 

Are you a member of the Advocates for Internal Medicine Network (AIMn)? Learn more here. 

Wellness Strategies from Dr. Melba Feliciano

(August 2021) In a recent newsletter article, Melba Feliciano, MD, FACP, FACE, an ACP Certified Wellness Champion and member of our Chapter, shared the following:

Self-care is essential to be successful as a physician and to prevent the Burnout Syndrome which affects from 40 to 70% of physicians during residency training. According to World Health Organization, Burnout is an occupational syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Self-care and coping strategies to deal with stress at work and at home are core elements of the survival skills during residency years.

To prepare for the day, have less stress and be more effective, I will share a Monk's perspective to a productive morning:

  • Upon awakening: Get up early, get centered, reflect on death, and plan for the day: Breathe...
  • Make your bed in a mindful way, with intention: this represents, peace, order, and discipline training.
  • Meditate: Get your mind still and grounded. Stillness is the key to success.
  • Do an act of generosity: purify your mind
  • Prepare breakfast (for you and others)
  • Be grateful for life each morning. Prepare for the day in peace and grounded for the daily challenges and surprises.

Read her full article

ACP's Online CME & MOC Learning Center adds information on state-specific CME requirements

(Spring 2021) Wondering about Puerto Rico's CME requirements? You can now visit the Online CME & MOC Learning Center and click on the "State CME Requirements" tab to learn all about what you need to do. Note: You must be logged into your ACP Online account to access this information.