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In this Issue:
- Governor's Message
- Dr. Rodriguez Named Chapter Laureate
- Advocacy Corner
- Advocates for Internal Medicine Network
- Advancement to ACP Fellowship
Ross B. Vaughn, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message
Dear Colleagues,
I trust you are having a wonderful summer and hope you are taking some time away from your practice to relax and recharge.
Recent chapter activities include welcoming our third class of Laureate Society Fellows: Dr. Louis Boohaker from Brookwood Baptist Health and Dr. Charles Evers from UAB. They will be participating in chapter committees, exposed to advocacy on the state and federal level, and groomed to be future leaders in our chapter.
The Literature and Medicine Retreat, which is organized by Dr. Billy Boyd, took place in Montgomery in January. Professor Randy Lewis led discussions of the novel Don Quixote, Hemingway's short story The Old Man and the Sea, Shakespeare's All's Well that Ends Well, and poems by Richard Wilbur.
In February we had an outstanding turnout for our second annual winter meeting which focused on personalized medicine. The meeting was held on the campus of the Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Errol Crook delivered our keynote address, “The Journey Toward Precision Medicine and Health Equity”, while Dr. Antwan Hogue discussed precision medicine in sickle cell disease and Dr. Brian Persing gave an informative talk on precision oncology in general internal medicine. After Dr. Robert Israel presented “What I Should Be Telling My Patients to Eat,” attendees participated in an interactive training session in the teaching kitchen that applied the advice discussed. We are grateful to Dr. T.J. Hundley for organizing and to the Department of Medicine at USA for sponsoring the meeting.
In May, the Mississippi-Alabama scientific session was held at the historic Centennial Plaza in Gulfport, Mississippi. This beautiful resort is a former Veterans Administration hospital and has been repurposed as a hotel and convention center. In addition to an array of excellent clinical presentations by speakers from both states, Dr. Isaac Opole, immediate past-president of ACP, gave an inspirational address on fostering excellence in internal medicine. Plans are underway for our third annual winter meeting to be held in Huntsville. Stay tuned for more details later in the year.
Even as we continue to celebrate advances in science, our professional commitment to evidence-based medicine and scientific methodology is under attack. Pseudoscience and quackery are now being accepted as truths, while expert guidance is tossed aside. Last month's CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting proceedings is an example that requires immediate attention. The increasing politically motivated changes in the committee membership raises serious concerns about the integrity of its recommendations. In the words of ACP president Dr. Jason Goldman, “This is a dangerous and reckless path that will leave our patients vulnerable to preventable illness.”
Advocacy is more important than ever. Strong, scientific, evidence-based public health leadership will be needed to guide this country forward. Organized medicine and individual physicians cannot be quiet. As patients and their families are being bombarded with misinformation, it is our duty to provide accurate, scientifically sound information. It is imperative we communicate transparently with lawmakers and ensure they fulfill their role in executive oversight.
This is a critical moment for our profession and for the health of our country. Our collective voice as physicians is powerful. By standing together, we can help ensure that health policy is grounded in science and integrity. Let us stay engaged, support one another, and commit ourselves to advocating for what is right—both for our patients and for the future of medicine.
Sincerely yours,
Ross B. Vaughn, MD FACP
Governor, Alabama Chapter
Alabama ACP Laureate Fellows Dr. Aashka Patel, Dr. Louis Boohaker, Dr. Charles Evers, and Dr. Edward Kim (not pictured).
Former Alabama ACP Governor Dr. Maryella Sirmon catches up with old friends at the winter meeting.
Speaker Dr. Bob Israel, Dr. T.J. Hundley, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education Whiddon College of Medicine, and speaker Dr. Errol Crook, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Moorehouse School of Medicine and Chief Medical Officer Morehouse Healthcare
The winter meeting was hosted by the Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.
Dr. Ryan Kraemer, program director of the Tinsley Harrison Residency Program, and the UAB Doctors Dilemma team at IMM 2025
Dr. Mike Soppet, Dr. Bob Centor, Laureate Fellows Dr. Louis Boohaker and Dr. Aashka Patel, Alabama ACP Governor Dr. Ross Vaughn, and former Laureate Fellow Dr. Austin Oslock at IMM 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Former Alabama ACP Governor Dr. Bill Curry with Dr. Anne Davis and her father Dr. Jim Davis of Talladega along with Dr. Vaughn at IMM 2025.
This year's scientific session was hosted by the Mississippi ACP chapter.
The meeting was held at the beautiful Centennial Plaza on the Mississippi gulf coast, the former Gulfport Veterans Administration Hospital.
Residents from programs across Alabama and Mississippi shared interesting case reports
Residents competed in Medical Jeopardy to represent Alabama and Mississippi in the national Doctor's Dilemma competition at IMM 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Dr. Vaughn and Mississippi ACP Governor Dr. Wes Alred welcome Dr. Isaac Opole, immediate past-president of ACP, as our ACP national representative
Dr. Rodriguez Named Chapter Laureate
The Board of Regents authorizes chapters to honor Members, Fellows, and Masters of ACP who have demonstrated by their example and conduct an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care, education, research, or service to their community, their chapter, and ACP. Awardees have a long history of excellence and peer approval in the specialty of Internal Medicine. The first Alabama Chapter Laureate recognition awards were presented in 1988, and this tradition continues. The Laureate Awardee for 2025 is Dr. J. Martin Rodriguez.
Dr. Rodriguez graduated medical school from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima in 1991. He came to UAB in 1992 for internal medicine residency and served as chief medical resident. He continued fellowship training in infectious diseases and HIV at the Massachusetts General Hospital before returning to Alabama to join the faculty of the UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine program. Martin has made major contributions to the Alabama Chapter including serving as program chairman and lecturer.
He returned to UAB joining the faculty in 2005 and is now the Paul W. Burleson, MD, Endowed Professor of Medicine and division director of infectious diseases in the Department of Medicine. He has directed the Tinsley Harrison (teaching) service, the Travel Clinic, and the Infectious Diseases Clinic. He also serves as the Physician for Adults in the UAB Undiagnosed Diseases Program.
Martin is known and loved at UAB as an esteemed physician, teacher, and leader. He has served as its Director of Clinical Activities since 2016. Recently, he has led research-intensive faculty with the largest research program in the department while also developing new clinical programs to meet the needs of UAB Medicine.
2025 Chapter Laureate Awardee Dr. Martin Rodriguez and Dr. Vaughn
Advocacy Corner
Aashka Patel, MD Laureate Fellow
Dr. Ross Vaughn, Dr. Austin Oslock, Dr. Louis Boohaker, and Dr. Aashka Patel along with the MASA team, Evans Brown and Niko Corley, spent March 19th, 2025, in Montgomery advocating for physicians and our patients. At the State House, the team met with Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Senator Gerald Allen, Representative Kelvin Datcher, Representative Mike Shaw, and Representative Cynthia Almond and discussed topics including physician workforce, reimbursement, and the medical liability climate in the state. We also attended a committee meeting and learned of the need for vitamin enrichment in various grains consumed by primarily Hispanic expectant mothers given the increasing association of spinal abnormalities thought to be secondary to folate deficiencies. When speaking to the various legislators, we shared our concerns regarding the depleting Alabama physician workforce as there is an increasing number of Alabama medical students and residents leaving the state worsening the physician to patient ratio.
On April 29, 2025, Dr. Ross Vaughn, Dr. Aashka Patel, Dr. Charlie Evers, and Dr. Alixandra Ryan attended ACP Leadership Day in Washington, DC to continue advocacy efforts at the national level on Capitol Hill. The team met with various Alabama delegation offices including those of Senator Katie Britt, Senator Tommy Tuberville, Representative Barry Moore, Representative Gary Palmer, Representative Robert Aderholt, and Representative Terri Sewell. The team's agenda was divided into three main topics. First, we asked for legislator's support on the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stability Act (HR 879). Second, we asked for continued protection of Medicaid coverage since over a million patients in Alabama are Medicaid recipients. Lastly, we discussed and asked for continued investment for public health initiatives, research, and the health workforce, and to provide legislative oversight for funding that has already been allocated for public health programs. Our Alabama team and every other state in attendance advocated for these three agenda points, and through our collective voice as physicians, we hope to have made a positive difference in the national landscape of our healthcare system.
Niko Corley and Evans Brown of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama Governmental Affairs office host Dr. Vaughn and Laureate Fellows Dr. Aashka Patel and Dr. Louis Boohaker and former Laureate Fellow Dr. Austin Oslock for the Alabama ACP Leadership Day on the Hill to meet with legislators in Montgomery.
The Alabama ACP advocacy team with Representative Cynthia Almond of Tuscaloosa.
Dr. Vaughn, Laureate Fellows Dr. Aashka Patel and Dr. Louis Boohaker, and former Laureate Fellow and now vice-chair of Health and Public Policy for Alabama ACP Dr. Austin Oslock at the State House in Montgomery.
Laureate Fellows Dr. Charlie Evers and Dr. Aashka Patel with Dr. Alixandra Ryan from Thomas Hospital at Senator Turberville's office.
Laureate Fellows Dr. Aashka Patel and Dr. Charlie Evers at the U.S. Capitol.
Advocates for Internal Medicine Network
As physician members of ACP, it is our duty to advocate on behalf of our patients. Advocacy doesn't mean traveling to Montgomery or Washington, DC, or even picking up the phone to make a difference. The AIMn program is for ACP members interested in participating in federal advocacy. Participation is free to our members and is designed to help you easily engage with federal lawmakers on policy issues important to ACP and internal medicine. As part of the network, you will receive legislative updates on key policy issues and email action alerts with ready-to-use talking points and sample letters to your legislators that you can easily customize to share your perspective. It takes only a few seconds to let your voice be heard.
Click here to join.
Advancement to ACP Fellowship
Why is becoming a fellow important? Not only does the designation of FACP signify your professional credibility, but it also helps to enhance and advance your career regardless of your path as an internal medicine physician.
To be eligible, you should be at least 3 years beyond residency training and be an ACP member in good standing for 3 of the past 4 years. Initial board certification in internal medicine or neurology is required. Applicants must have an active medical license in good standing if they are in clinical practice. In addition to these minimum requirements, demonstrated activity in three of the four pillars of Fellowship is necessary: continuing medical education, community service and engagement, practice improvement/scholarly activities, and teaching/coaching/mentoring or leadership.
There are multiple potential pathways to fellowship:
- Standard application which requires a sponsorship letter from an FACP or MACP. You may apply online at https://www.acponline.org/membership/physician-membership/acp-fellowship.
- Nomination by the chapter governor through the invited fellowship pathway. Simply contact your governor, describe your activities in the pillars of Fellowship, and provide a copy of your curriculum vitae.
- Early career physicians may enroll in the guided fellowship program within one year of residency completion. Enrollers are provided with a structure to enable them to meet the requirements for ACP Fellowship over a 3-year period.
Convocation of the American College of Physicians at IMM 2025 honoring new Fellows and Masters of the College.
2024 Chapter Laureate Awardee Dr. Roger Smalligan, new Fellows Dr. Leonard Jones and Dr. Sidd Patel, and Alabama ACP Governor Dr. Ross Vaughn at the 2025 convocation ceremony.