ACP honors outstanding chapter activities with John Tooker Evergreen Awards

ACP presented John Tooker Evergreen Awards to seven chapters at Internal Medicine 2013. The John Tooker Evergreen Awards Program provides recognition and visibility to chapters that have successfully implemented programs to increase membership, improve communication, increase member involvement, enhance diversity, foster careers in internal medicine and improve management of the chapter.

Following is a list of the 2013 winners, the titles of their programs and the categories of submission. For more information on a particular program, contact Kirsten Kirby .

Advocacy

Florida for Use of the Courts to Influence Public Policy

Seeking to expand their advocacy efforts beyond legislative initiatives, the Florida Chapter has taken an active role in the legal process related to two specific cases, one on capping noneconomic damages and the other on physicians' ability to speak with patients about gun safety. While the outcomes of these cases are still pending, the Florida Chapter has received enormous support from the press, the public and its own membership for promoting the interests of its members in these new forums.

Community Service/Volunteerism

New York for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

The New York Chapter, working with its leaders and members, coordinated several distinct resources for physician members to connect, cope with and emerge from the challenges of the most devastating natural disaster in New York's history, Hurricane Sandy. Professionalism, humanitarian efforts, collegiality and a true sense of community were demonstrated by and for the members of the New York Chapter.

Education/Communication

Illinois Downstate for The “Downstate Dialogue”: Using Blast E-mails to Increase Involvement, Participation, and Satisfaction with ACP

Through regular, focused and recognizable e-mail communication, the Illinois Chapter Downstate Region has successfully increased involvement, participation and satisfaction with ACP in an extremely cost-effective manner. These e-mails have assisted in developing seven new councils and committees, increasing participation on Leadership Day, increasing chapter members advancing to ACP Fellowship, and achieving overall greater satisfaction with ACP.

Medical Students

Texas for General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program–a FOUNDATION for the Future

Texas ACP has run the General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP) for almost two decades. After critical state funding for the program was cut, Texas ACP rapidly formed a 501c3 tax-exempt corporation to ensure a Foundation for the Future for GIMSPP. The chapter's leadership has committed the necessary resources to ensure the continued success of this very important program.

Membership Recruitment/Diversity

Montana for Hospitalist Outreach through Chapter Meetings

With hospital medicine on the rise, the Montana Chapter is working hard to provide educational opportunities by offering sessions at the chapter's annual meetings that are geared toward hospital medicine, by having an American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification Self-Education Program Module, and by having a winter meeting that is specifically geared toward hospital medicine. The Montana Chapter also has a hospitalist committee and several hospitalists on the Governor's Advisory Council.

Residents/Early Career Physicians

Georgia for Council of Young Physicians Initiatives

The Georgia Chapter's Council of Young Physicians has been extremely active in creating new events. These include an advocacy training event that is held annually the night before the Georgia Chapter's annual Day at the Capital, a social event centered on a Georgia vs. Florida football game, and more. Based on the strong momentum these programs have generated, the chapter plans to develop additional events to reach this important group of members.

Maryland for Chief Residents Association of Baltimore (CRAB): Delegating the Development, Organization, and Management of Associates Activities to a Committee of Chief Residents

Over the past eight years, the Chief Resident Association of Baltimore (CRAB) has organized myriad innovative events for the state's internal medicine residents, with full support of the Maryland ACP chapter. Examples of events held in the past include a contract negotiation workshop, a fellowship application seminar, a CRAB Olympics (a day of sporting contests pitting programs against each other), and a volunteerism project in health education.

Special Recognition Awards

In addition to the John Tooker Evergreen winners, ACP is giving special recognition to four chapters for their efforts to implement new programs in their chapter.

Arizona for Adelante! Facilitating Transitions of Care

Japan for English Version of the Governor's Newsletter

New Mexico for Increasing Involvement of Physicians in Indian Country

New York for Building Leadership and Strengthening Community