International Group Discounts for Internal Medicine Meeting 2025!
(November 2024) Team up! Enjoy special limited-time savings for International Groups of 10 or more! Learn more: https://annualmeeting.acponline.org/registration/international-delegation-rates
Group Rates not valid on Premium registration. Register with group, get option to add Premium Access registration. The deadline for group registration discounts in February 21, 2025.
Congratulations to Eric Javier Ulloa Isaza, MD MACP on National Award
(October 2024) We are pleased to announce that Eric Javier Ulloa Isaza, MD MACP is the recipient of Mastership.
The first MACP in the College was presented in 1923 to Dr. James M. Anders, who served the College as President for two terms. He was recognized for extraordinary service to the College and for being one of the most outstanding internists and medical teachers of his day.
Please join me in congratulating them and celebrating this accomplishment at Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. To view the full list of national awardees, click here.
Congratulations New Chapter Fellow
- Ricardo Ramos Castro, MD FACP
(September 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.
2024 Chapter Excellence Award-Gold Level Winner
(August 2024) We are pleased to announce that our chapter is in receipt of the Gold Level of the 2024 Chapter Excellence Award! The award recognizes truly extraordinary chapters that surpass excellence in chapter management. We are in the company of 59 other outstanding chapters. In order to achieve the Gold Level of the Chapter Excellence Award, chapters must meet 20 Bronze criteria, 14 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.
Call for Spring 2025 Resolutions
(July 2024) Are you concerned about a practice or clinical issue or have an idea you would 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 ACP Board of Governors Resolutions Guide for ACP Members is 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 Spring 2025 Board of Governors Meeting is September 27, 2024.
Share your good idea with us. Draft a resolution.
We want to hear from you: Fall 2024 BOG Resolutions
(July 2024) The following resolutions are up for consideration at the Fall 2024 Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting. We invite you to review each resolution and share your support or opposition by completing the electronic response form by August 12.
- Developing Policy to Address Consolidation in Healthcare
- Gaining an Understanding of the 1-Year and 3-Year Mortality Rates of Patients that Have Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Stays
- Supporting Patients’ Access to Documentation and Communications in their Preferred Language
- Declaring Access to Equitable, Affordable Healthcare is a Human Right
- Developing Policy on Reducing Traffic Fatalities and Injuries in the United States
- Revising ACP’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy to Promote an Age-Friendly Professional Home and Create Engagement Opportunities for Senior and Retired Physicians
- Advocating for Funding of a Direct Comparison of Two Highly Touted Dietary Approaches to Control Type Two Diabetes Clinical Measures and Costs
Resolutions provide our members an opportunity to focus attention at the national level on particular issues or topics that concern you and gives grassroots members a voice, allowing you to shape College policy that impacts the practice of internal medicine. Involvement in the resolutions feedback process is essential for maintaining a responsive and effective professional organization that truly represents its members.
Your feedback is valuable and will be forwarded to your Governor to assist in their testimony on behalf of the chapter. 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.)
Happy Anniversary to our Chapter Members!
5 Years
- German A Espino, MD FACP
- Miguel A Mayo Di Bello, MD FACP
- Omar Orlando Castillo Fernandez, MD FACP
- Kay Tun Chang Trejos
- Esperanza E Arosemena
- Fernando Marquez, MD FACP
- Monica R Pachar, MD FACP
- Luis Carlos Morales Godinez, MD FACP
- Jose MD Castro, MD FACP
- Karla Rodriguez
- Ricardo Ramos Castro, MD
- Katiana E Castillo, MD FACP
- Jose Andres Vargas Chaverri, MD
- Rocio Arroyo, MD FACP
- Mario A Nitsch Montiel, MD FACP
- Henry S Mauricio, MD
- Aurora Pastor, MD
- Erika Burgos, MD
- Hugo D Alonzo Borjas, MD
10 Years
- Lineth Lopez, MD FACP
- Yasser J Falla Berganza, MD
- Carlos E. Orellana-Jimenez, MD
15 Years
- Lillanis D Montilla, MD FACP
- Nuvia Batista Rujano, MD FACP
- Victor J Warner, MD FACP
20 Years
- Daniel Abouganem, MD FACP
- Rolando A Binns Halman, MD FACP
- Juan P Bares, MD FACP
- Julio Toro, MD FACP
- Ligia Y Gonzalez Tobon, MD FACP
- Dacsaris M Almengor, MD FACP
- Rigoberto Samaniego, MD FACP
- Jose Luis Franceschi Diaz, MD FACP
(May 2024) Your ACP Chapter thanks you for your continued Membership and all you do every day to serve your patients and support the future of internal medicine. We’re proud that you’ve chosen us as your professional home, and we’re committed to remaining by your side—advocating for and supporting your professional journey.
BOR Action on Spring 2024 BOG Resolutions
(May 2024) A summary of Board of Regents (BOR) actions on resolutions debated at the Spring 2024 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.
2024 John Tooker Evergreen Awards
(April 2024) The John Tooker Evergreen Awards Program provides opportunities to recognize the valuable contributions of ACP Chapters as they strive to enrich, educate, and engage membership. In 2024, ACP recognized ten winning chapters. Our Chapter received the 2024 John Tooker Evergreen Award for our initiative, Laureate Society Fellowship Program .
Increasing Membership and Pride of Being an Internal Medicine Specialist in Central and Latin America
The Central America Chapter strived to increase membership and pride in being an internal medicine specialist through a local Doctor’s Dilemma competition in their own Chapter and across other Latin countries. Doctor’s Dilemma is not new to the Chapter but traditionally, just three teams compete locally with participants from Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. With this project and ECP leadership, we were able to include six teams from different Panamanian medical schools, develop a new team from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, and hold the final round of Doctor’s Dilemma at the Panamanian Society of Internal Medicine (SPMI). Champions of the Chapter promoted Doctor’s Dilemma at the Panamanian Society of Intensive Care, who later developed enacted the concept, and to the Mexico and Chile Chapters. The Chapter plans to increase local participation from other Latin countries to increase the visibility of ACP and their chapter.
For more information on the John Tooker Evergreen Awards, contact Dana Acord.
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 send your comments indicating whether or not you support a resolution by e-mailing us directly at panchi88@gmail.com, ikyulloa@hotmail.com by March 4, 2024
Necesitamos tu apoyo. El ACP quiere saber tu opinion para distintos temas de importancia para el especialista que tienen que ver con educación médica, abogacía, derecho a sindicalización entre otras. Favor danos tu opinion antes del 4 de Marzo a los mails copiados arriba.
(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.
Central America Abstract Competition - 2024 Submissions
(February 2024) Click on the links to view and listen to the presentation.
Medical Students
Clinical Research
David Cedeno - Prevalencia de microorganismos en infecciones respiratorias agudas identificados mediante panel respiratorio en hospital privado de Panamá. 2022-2023 (Poster | Media Link)
Clinical Vignette
Sofia Donoso - MELANOMA LENTIGINOSO ACRAL EN HALLUX DERECHO: REPORTE DE CASO CLÍNICO (Poster | Media Link)
Stephanie Fernandez - Cáncer de orofaringe asociado a VPH positivo: una patología con pronóstico favorable. (Poster | Media Link)
Jose Gago - Úlcera Oral Como Presentación de Histoplasmosis: La Nueva Gran Imitadora (Poster | Media Link)
Residents
Clinical Research
Abdullah Salehji - LINFOMA NO HODGKIN DE CÉLULAS B EN PANAMÁ. DESCRIBIENDO LA REALIDAD NACIONAL (Poster | Media Link)
Jhoel Amores - Manifestaciones congestivas en falla cardíaca aguda: estudio descriptivo en un Servicio de Cardiología en América Central (Poster | Media Link)
Abdiel Demera - Análisis clínico, microbiológico y ecocardiográfico de pacientes con endocarditis infecciosa en hospital de tercer nivel en Panamá 2018 al 2019. (Poster | Media Link)
Clinical Vignette
Jusely Salamanca - Anemia hemolítica por anticuerpos fríos y calientes como manifestación inicial de lupus eritematoso sistémico (Poster | Media Link)
Maria Gabriela Justavino Wong - Lisis tumoral espontánea con pancitopenia Reporte de caso de leucemia linfoblástica aguda de células B sin expresión en sangre periférica (Poster | Media Link)
Nellys Aranda - Úlceras orales recurrentes: Reto diagnóstico y terapéutico (Poster | Media Link)
Ruben Mariscal - COLANGITIS BILIAR PRIMARIA EN PRESENTACIÓN EPIDEMIOLÓGICA INUSUAL, VARON DE 60 AÑOS (Poster | Media Link)
Lorena Nunez - Cuádruple etiología de shock simultáneo como presentación inicial: a propósito de un caso (Poster | Media Link)
Melany Medina - Síndrome de Vena Cava Superior como complicación de Tumor No seminoma en mediastino medio (Poster | Media Link)
Cristel Rodriguez - Videotorascopia como alternativa para diagnóstico y manejo de efusión pleural por Sarcoma de Kaposi (Poster | Media Link)
Belgica Tejada - Granulomatosis con poliangitis, una enfermedad de instauración rápida. (Poster | Media Link)
Elvia Evers - Síndrome de sobreposición: Hepatitis autoinmune-Colangitis Biliar Primaria (Poster | Media Link)
Ana Diaz Caballero - Infarto talámico izquierdo en paciente con foramen oval permeable (Poster | Media Link)
Galindo Gonzalez - Consumo de cocaína asociado a Glomerulonefritis Crescéntica: una causa infrecuente de Síndrome Pulmón-Riñón ANCA-MPO positivo. (Poster | Media Link)
Maria Reyes Leyton - Degeneración cerebelar paraneoplásica como manifestación en carcinoma ductal invasor de mama (Poster | Media Link)
Jorge Vallee - Infarto de miocardio recurrente en paciente con enfermedad arterial coronaria y síndrome mieloproliferativo. (Poster | Media Link)
Jorge Vallee - Endocarditis infecciosa de válvula aórtica nativa. La ecocardiografía en la toma de decisiones clínicas. (Poster | Media Link)
Cristel Rodriguez - Coinfección lepra, histoplasmosis y VIH: una asociación inevitablemente fatal (Poster | Media Link)
Laura Velarde - Endocarditis Gonocócica: Una complicación rara de una enfermedad frecuente. (Poster | Media Link)
Lucien Toribio - Tratamiento Exitoso de Meningoencefalitis Tuberculosa Drogoresistente en un paciente con SIDA: Un Reto Terapéutico (Poster | Media Link)
Onilis Rivera - Tetralogía de Fallot de Larga Supervivencia sin Tratamiento Quirúrgico (Poster | Media Link)
Onilis Rivera - Parálisis Facial Bilateral: Una Alteración Neurológica Rara, como Manifestación de Síndrome de Guillain Barrè (Poster | Media Link)
Laura Velarde - Tumor neuroendocrino de pulmón: “Un caso atípico de Hemoptisis” (Poster | Media Link)
Felix Liu Wu - Taponamiento Cardíaco como Presentación Inicial de Cáncer Cervicouterino (Poster | Media Link)
Felix Liu Wu - Síndrome Hemorrágico Pulmonar por Vasculitis C-ANCA Positivo (Poster | Media Link)
Jaime Cham Liu - Leucoencefalopatía Tóxica Aguda : Una condición a considerar en el siglo XXI (Poster | Media Link)
Jose Morales - Púrpura trombocitopénica trombótica en el embarazo: La gran imitadora. (Poster | Media Link)
Jaime Cham Liu - Tuberculosis peritoneal, la simuladora de cáncer gastrointestinal. (Poster | Media Link)
Carmen Townshend - Hepatitis Autoinmune: opciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas en nuestro medio (Poster | Media Link)
Quality Improvement-Patient Safety
Abdiel Demera - Protocolo Interdisciplinario para la Prevención de la Neumonía Adquirida en Hospital No asociada a Ventilador (Poster | Media Link)
Internal Medicine Meeting 2024 - April 18-20, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
Share the knowledge. Share the experience. Share the savings!
This April, we will join together for 3 days of unmatched education and invaluable personal connections. ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting is the place to find expert presenters, influential speakers, invigorating activities, and the sense of community that inspires pride in internal medicine.
International attendees receive substantial savings when you register a group of 10 or more! Don’t miss this opportunity! The Central America Chapter will be sending delegations from Panama and Costa Rica. Contact us by March 15, 2024 to join our delegations!
- Discount off the Standard Access registration rate.
- Group rates not valid on Premium Access registration.
- All group registrations must be submitted together with one payment by one primary contact.
Note: Resident/Fellow Members, Physicians in-training, and Medical Students are not eligible for group discounts.
Learn more about Internal Medicine Meeting 2024.
Chapter Speakers at Internal Medicine Meeting 2024
(December 2023) We’d like to bring attention to our local chapter members who will be presenting as faculty at ACP’s Internal Medicine Meeting 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts this April. Early-bird registration is available through January. For a full schedule or for more information on the meeting, click here.
| Jose | Acuna-Feoli | Pre-course | Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Foundational Skills for Internal Medicine Physicians | Tuesday, April 16, 2024 |
| Jose | Acuna-Feoli | Pre-course | Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Foundational Skills for Internal Medicine Physicians | Wednesday, April 17, 2024 |
| Monica | Pachar | Workshop | Caring for Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers: The Physician’s Role | Saturday, April 20, 2024 |
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
- Fernando A Diaz, MD FACP
- Fernando Marquez, MD FACP
- Ianyra Elizabeth Abrego, MD FACP
- Fabio E Jaramillo, 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
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.
Central America Abstract Competition - 2023 Submissions
(August 2023) Click on the link to listen to the presentation. (*) means you will need to download to listen.
- Lorena Alvarado Gonzalez - Vasculitis asociadas a ANCA, desafío diagnóstico de glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva: reporte de un caso
- Diego Arcia * - Hipoacusia como manifestación inicial de granulomatosis con poliangeítis
- Maria Leticia Barrios - Enfermedad de creutzfeldt-jakob, un reto diagnóstico: reporte de un caso
- Veronica Billingslea * - Melioidosis cutánea crónica: la masa no neoplásica
- Katherine Brooks * - Cirugía Parafascicular Mínimamente Invasiva en Pacientes con Hemorragia Intracerebral
- Denise Cardoze * - El Caballo Disfrazado de Cebra: Presentación inusual de Nefropatía por IgA
- Efrain Castillo - Síncope recurrente como presentación de una displasia arritmogénica derecha: "Revisando el abordaje actual del síncope"
- Gabriel Copete * - Trastorno del espectro de neuromielitis óptica. ¡Lo raro entre lo raro!
- Daniela Cortes * - Cáncer de pulmón con mutación en EGFR como neoplasia secundaria en paciente con Síndrome de Li Fraumeni
- Mirian Diaz - Hematomas múltiples de etiología inusual en masculino de 34 años
- Laura Fernandez - Tumor de tejidos blandos como presentación atípica de Linfoma de Burkitt esporádico. Reporte de caso
- Alberto Garcia - Etiología Inusual de Masa Mediastínica: Micosis Endémica Profunda
- Jason Goff * - Anemia Hemolítica Autoinmune por Anticuerpos Calientes como Manifestación de Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico
- Anthonier Hinestroza - Características metabólicas en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio, del Hospital Santo Tomás, 2021-2022
- Kassandra Martinez - Recurrencia tardía de carcinoma de células renales en sitios inusuales: ¿latencia tumoral?
- Melany Medina * - Síndrome de CLIPPERS: Un diagnóstico del Siglo XXI
- Natalia Paredes * - Fusariosis en paciente inmunosuprimido con VIH, pocos casos descritos
- Lucien Toribio - Colitis por Paracoccidioides en paciente Post-trasplantado: Una micosis profunda olvidada en Panamá
- Luis Velasquez * - Enteritis Lúpica con deficiencia de Hierro y Vitamina B12 en Paciente Masculino de 17 años
- Jorge Valleé - Síndrome Antisintetasa. Entidad Poco Frecuente Y Un Reto Diagnóstico
- Angel Wong * - Malaria por plasmodium falciparum: protozoario a considerar en nuestro medio
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
- Gabriel E Frago, MD FACP
- Luis Carlos Morales Godinez, 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.
Central America Chapter Receives the "Members' Choice" Mary Bieter Evergreen All Stars Award
(May 2023) The Mary Bieter Evergreen All-Star Awards recognized exceptional and sustained chapter-initiated programs that supported and adapted to the Internal Medicine landscape in the United States and around the world. ACP Members were asked to review and select All-Star nominations they believed were worth of recognition. The Central America Chapter received the Mary Bieter Evergreen All-Star Award for their initiative, Medical Education and Community Service for Promoting a More Holistic Internal Medicine Specialist.
Medical Education and Community Service for Promoting a More Holistic Internal Medicine Specialist
With the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult for medical students and residents to continue their education and interact with the community. Using IT, Zoom, social media, innovation, and the principles and tools of ACP, medical students formed a council across five medical schools to initiate educational webinars and community service activities promoting healthy communities for students and their community. Having mobility restriction due to COVID-19, they interacted with NGOs that worked in the community to help them meet and exceed the council's goals. The program was able to continue in 2021 despite the continuation of COVID-19 waves; yet students continued volunteerism activities. They worked in residential home for the elderly and public maternity hospitals in addition to the regularly held educational activities. In 2022, they reorganized while COVID-19 trends remained low and were able to transfer this idea to form a Council of Residents in Guatemala that was very successful, increasing resident membership to more than 80%. They have initiated conversations with representatives of El Salvador to form a new council there and continue the principles of the ACP.
Central America Chapter Receives the 2023 John Tooker Evergreen Award
(May 2023) The John Tooker Evergreen Awards Program provides recognition and visibility to chapters that have successfully implemented programs to increase membership, improve communication, encourage member involvement, enhance diversity, foster careers in internal medicine or improve chapter management. The Central America Chapter received the 2023 John Tooker Evergreen Award for their initiative, Medical Education and Community Blossoming.
Medical Education and Community Blossoming
Students and residents participated in volunteer activities focused on the social determinants of health in their population which included the prevention of drug addiction and adolescent pregnancies. These activities prepared our students and residents to know the community they will serve in the future and help them work effectively in teams and developing leadership skills.
The Central America Chapter 's Guatemalan Residents from five medical programs developed a Council of Residents of the Occidental Region, Education, Volunteerism, and Well-Being Committees. The Chapter utilized Zoom, YouTube, and Instagram to share activities such as Doctor's Dilemma and Medical Education between Panama and Guatemala. The volunteerism activities prepared students and residents to better serve the needs of their communities, work effectively in teams, and develop leadership skills. After the Guatemalan Committees were formed, resident membership increased by 80% and the Central America's resident population grew by 60%.
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.
Jermaine R Tomlinson, 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!
Global Reception at Internal Medicine Meeting 2023
(March 2023) If you’re attending IMM23, please join us at our global reception, to be held Thursday, April 27 from 7:30-9:00pm at HQ San Diego.
This reception, featuring live entertainment, is open to all international attendees and their guests, as well as other attendees who are interested in meeting with leaders from ACP and internal medicine societies from around the world.
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.
2023 Abstract Submissions Now Available
(January 2023) Abstract submissions for the 2023 Central America Chapter Meeting are now available on the News & Meetings page.
Mary Bieter All Star Awards Voting Open
(December 2022) For the past 30 years, ACP has celebrated chapter-led programming through an annual awards program known as the John Tooker Evergreen Awards. This year we are celebrating the 30th year anniversary of this program through a special recognition program. The Mary Bieter Evergreen All-Stars Award program recognizes exceptional and sustained chapter-initiated programs that has supporting and adapted to the Internal Medicine landscape in the United States and around the world.
The goals of this program are to:
- Celebrate chapter-initiated programs that align with ACP's priority themes;
- Increase prominence of chapter programs by granting ACP's 161,000 membership base autonomy to select All-Star winners
Our chapter recently submitted "Medical Education and Community Service for Promoting a More Holistic Internal Medicine Specialist " and we need your help. For the first time in 30 years, ACP's 161,000 membership will be asked to vote on the All-Star nominations they believe are the best. If you're a Chapter member, you have 3 votes. Review the nominations at acponline.org/allstars and vote today! Voting ends January 31, 2023.
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.
Premios ACP Centroamérica 2022
De parte del ACP Central America Chapter queremos agradecer y destacar a cada uno de estos miembros del 2022 que hicieron que sintiéramos orgullo que fueran parte de nuestro grupo con sus diferentes desafíos que atravesaron en la realización de cada uno de sus proyectos llevándolos a cabo con gran éxito.
Laureado: Dra. Ana Belén Araúz, FACP
Subdirectora médica Hospital Santo Tomás; Investigadora Asociada Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Tecnología de Panamá (INDICASAT-AIP) y del Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas; Medico Funcionario del Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas Hospital Santo Tomás; Jefe médico del Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas de The Panama Clinic; Coordinadora de Epidemiología de Clínica Hospital San Fernando. Miembro del capítulo de Centroamérica del American College of Physicians desde el año 2005, electa Fellow desde el año 2014. Miembro del Consejo del Gobernador desde hace más de 5 años. Ha dirigido por varios años el concurso de Abstracts de médicos residentes del Capítulo de Centroamérica del American College of Physicians.
Internal Medicine Resident: Dr. Alam Eduardo Guerra
Por su activa participación en la formación del Consejo de Residentes en Guatemala, con inclusión de casi 60 nuevos médicos residentes y realización de múltiples actividades de educación y voluntariado.
Medical Student: Akshita Ahir
Estudiante de medicina de la Universidad Latina. Coordinadora del Consejo de Estudiantes del capítulo del American College of Physicians. Coordinando los comités de Educación, Voluntariado y Publicidad y múltiples actividades a lo largo del año 2022.
Early Career Physician: Dra. Katiana Castillo, FACP
Directora de Educación de médicos residentes en el Hospital Manuel Amador Guerrero. Con participación de múltiples actividades docentes en la Sociedad Panameña de Medicina Interna.Miembro del capítulo desde el año 2016 y elegida Fellow en Noviembre de 2022.
Women in Medicine: Dra. Ligia González Tobon, FACP
Especialista en Medicina Interna, Geriatría y Cuidados Paliativos. Trabaja en Hospital Regional Rafael Hernández de Chiriquí y el Centro médico Mae Lewis. Miembro del American College of Physicians desde 1995, electa Fellow en el año 2015. Champion en Bienestar (Wellbeing) del American College of Physicians, donde participa activamente. Reconocida por su trabajo en Cuidados Paliativos.
Premio a la Investigación: Dra. Karen Courville, FACP
Directora de Nefrología y del Programa de Diálisis y Hemodiálisis del Hospital Gustavo Nelson Collado. Presidenta de la Asociación de Nefrología de Panamá. Investigadora activa en varios proyectos: "Enfermedad renal crónica de causa no tradicional en Panamá Centro"; "Citoquinas y Covid-19"; "Evaluación de seguridad y eficacia de la vacuna de Covid-19 en pacientes con Enfermedad Renal crónica en diálisis en Panamá"; "Caracterización genética de enfermedad renal crónica no tradicional en Panamá", entre otras. Reconocida como principal investigadora del area de Azuero por organizaciones nacionales e internacionales.
Hospitalist: Dra. Linda Navarro, FACP
Jefa del Servicio de Medicina Interna, miembro del capítulo desde el año 2007. Electa Fellow en 2019. Ha fungido como secretaria del ACP y miembro del Consejo del Gobernador desde hace varios años.
Estamos impresionados por sus grandes desempeños. Gracias por usar sus extraordinarios talentos para impulsar nuestro capítulo de Central America.
¡Son unas grandes personas y unos excelentes profesionales!
Chapter Members Elected to ACP Fellowship
(November 2022) 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.
- Jose L. Carvallo-Cesar, MD, FACP
- Alexander Romero Guerra, MD, FACP
- Norlan Barbon, MD, FACP
- Alvaro Pachon Burgos, MD, FACP
- Karen E. Carcamo De Villatoro, MD, FACP
- Katiana E. Castillo, MD, FACP
- Lisbeth Lopez, MD, FACP
- Dimas Ariel Quiel, 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!
Congratulations Dr. Jorge Sinclair on Mastership
(October 2022) We are excited to share that the Mastership Committee and the Board of Regents have approved Dr. Jorge Sinclair to receive an award recognition during the 2023 Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego, California.
Mastership (MACP®) 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 MACPs are honored at the Convocation ceremony held during the Internal Medicine meeting. A list of past awardees and MACPs may be found online at www.acponline.org/awardslist.