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In this Issue:
- Governor's Welcome
- Chapter News
- ACP Fellowship
- Pictures From National ACP Fellow's Induction Ceremony – April 2024
- Congratulations to our New fellows since May 2024
- Doctor's Dilemma competition
- Council Meeting
- Mentorship Zone
- From National ACP
Kwame O. Dapaah-Afriyie, MBchB, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Welcome
I hope you are all well and having an enjoyable summer.
Most of us enjoy long summer seasons and the opportunities of extended recreation and relaxation.
Climate change due to natural variability and human factors account for significant weather variations from the norm, and the associated effects leading to adverse medical implications. Warm weather and its ramifications on vectors, pathogens and hosts lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases resulting from the longer seasons for disease transmission. Tick-borne illnesses are being seen much earlier and later than they have been in New England due to extended human-tick interactions. Increasing global temperatures have led to an increase in mosquito days in over 50% of the US. Mosquito days (defined as days with average humidity of at least 42% and temperatures between 50-95 degrees Fahrenheit). This increase in mosquito season increases the risk for diseases such as Dengue fever, malaria and Eastern equine encephalitis. The reported cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and West Nile viral infections in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey are causes of concern even as we grapple with another uptick in cases of COVID-19.
Many national and international meetings have been held on climate change by key stakeholders. While some resolutions have been adopted, the significant changes required to reverse this trend are yet to be made largely due to the measured tiny drops of political action taken so far.
American College of Physicians' (ACP's) policy recognizes that human and planetary health are interconnected, and that climate change is a global human and environmental health crisis requiring immediate action to limit global temperature rise. The College recommends that we as physicians support efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change; and educate the public, our communities, and lawmakers about the health risks posed by climate change. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change is an opportunity to dramatically improve human health, prevent dire environmental outcomes and ensuing adverse healthcare effects.
ACP believes that physicians can and do play a critical role in achieving this goal. We can all do more to support ACP's advocacy and other initiatives to help achieve this laudable goal.
The Fall ACP Board of Governors' meeting starts in a few days. Thank you for comments made about some of the resolutions to be discussed at this meeting. I will be sharing input from the ACP Board of Regents and the final decisions made in my subsequent newsletters.
Best wishes of a pleasant and productive fall season to you and your families!
Chapter News
Committee Highlights: Wellness Committee
By Dr. Mariah Stump
The RI ACP chapter holds monthly Writers Wellness Workshops in conjunction with two other chapters (North Carolina and Pennsylvania) in order to encourage physicians to use writing as a source of self-expression, exploration and processing. Our feedback has been very positive that experiencing narrative medicine and creating the time and space to write in a safe community and supported space has been very compelling and formative. We have created a warm and welcoming virtual community and encourage RI ACP members to join us the first Wednesday of each month from 8-9 pm. You don't have to be a “writer” to attend! Here is the zoom link
Dr Mariah Stump, the RI ACP Wellness Champion, will be giving an upcoming wellbeing talk to residents at Kent Hospital as well as will be the invited speaker to “Virtual Medical Grand Rounds” at SUNY Stony Brook entitled “Navigating Physician Well Being in a Complex Health System” in early 2025.
Per the RI ACP wellbeing survey, there remains interest in meeting up for physical activity events. This summer, partnering with the RI Department of Parks and Recreation, I have offered a series of Yoga/Qi Gong classes for the RI community. Looking for a chance to explore something new, get grounded or experience Qi Gong and Gentle Yoga so you can know what to recommend for your patients? Join myself and Dr Tanuj Aranay (Acupuncturist) at Lippitt Park (1015 Hope Street, Providence RI) on Saturday, September 14th for Qi Gong and Yoga in the park. See flyer
There is one class left for the season but if there is still interest we may move indoors for the fall/winter!
If you want to get some exercise while supporting a great cause, consider biking for cancer research with the annual Tour de Rhody on September 22nd! Register here
As always, we welcome your suggestions and what wellness events/offerings you would like to see. Please send ideas to Mariah Stump
ACP Fellowship
Fellowship in the American College of Physicians (FACP) is a peer-reviewed and peer-supported credential that is a public recognition of excellence within the internal medicine profession. FACP signifies an ongoing dedication to the profession of internal medicine, our patients and the communities we serve.
Core eligibility criteria
- At least 3 years' experience post residency training
- ACP member in good standing for 3 of the past 4 years
- Initial Board certified in internal medicine or neurology
- Active medical license in good standing (if in clinical practice)
... and can demonstrate activity in three of the four pillars of Fellowship
Pictures From National ACP Fellow's Induction Ceremony – April 2024
Congratulations to our New fellows since May 2024
Drs. Christine Duffy, Andrew Hsu, Geetika Tewary and Jinen Thakker
Doctor's Dilemma competition
Our Chapter's annual Doctor's dilemma competition will be held in November. The winning team of residents will represent us at the National competition which will be held at New Orleans in April 2025. Dr. Alisha Crowley, who is now a member of the National Question Development Committee for Doctor's dilemma competition will be sending additional information about this event to the Residency Program Directors of our 4 Internal Medicine programs.
Council Meeting
The next Governor's Council meeting which will be a virtual meeting will be held on 09/24/2024.
Obituary: I am sad to report that Dr. Joseph Chazan passed away on July 26, 2024. He served as Governor of our ACP Chapter and was a member of 1994 class of ACP Governors. He served as Chief of Nephrology at RIH and TMH for many years and played a pioneering role in our state's hemodialysis program. He was duly acknowledged for his clinical work and philanthropic activities.
Mentorship Zone
What are we learning? Who are we learning from? Who are we transferring insights to?
Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
The one who waters will also be watered.
I reached out to some of our experienced colleagues to have them share pertinent insights which will be beneficial to our medical students, residents, and Early Career Physicians.
One of our former governors, Dr. Audrey Kupchan agreed to share some insights in this inaugural section.
Brief background: Audrey Kupchan, MD, FACP. Cornell University Medical College 1977-81. Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency at RIH 1981-1984. Primary Care practice since 1984, with RIGHA, HPHC-NE and Coastal Medical(now Lifespan Coastal) Currently working per diem at Lifespan Coastal.
- Why did you choose to specialize in Internal Medicine?
My father was an old-fashioned GP in NY, so when I was growing up, I was exposed to Primary Care Medicine every day. He was a role model for me, and I found myself drawn to Primary Care Internal Medicine throughout my education.
- What are the 2-3 major factors that have helped you in this profession?
a. I have had a great deal of support, first from my nuclear family, and then from extended family members, and friends throughout the years.
b. I had a strong education and training which gave me confidence in my abilities.
c. Lastly, I sought out colleagues who helped me with each stage of my career.
- What has kept you in this profession amid the challenges?
a. I am winding down, but what kept me going previously was the long-term relationships I had with patients. Many began to feel like distant relatives. I knew I was able to positively impact their lives, and I got a great deal of positive reinforcement from them.
b. Even as your take care of patients, make time to take care of yourself. I still spend time going to the gym weekly and plan to continue with time.
From National ACP
The Council of Early Career Physicians (CECP), and the Council of Resident/Fellow Members (CRFM) are currently seeking candidates to fill vacant seats for 2025-26. Nominations are due by November 1, 2024 and application details are included in the links below.
The councils are responsible for responding to requests for review of programs, products, and services; advising the College regarding ways to increase the value of ACP membership among their constituency group; and strengthening activities and relationships at the ACP chapter and local levels
For more information on eligibility and nomination material requirements please see the CECP Call for Nominations
For additional information and/or questions, please contact ACP staff