Latest updates on ACP's priorities, initiatives

ACP supports evidence-based medicine, policy

ACP published a paper June 11 in Annals of Internal Medicine that presents the College's methods for developing evidence-based clinical policy papers for clinical guidelines and guidance statements. ACP's methodology meets the standards of the Guidelines International Network and the National Academy of Medicine. Recent enhancements include more stringent disclosure of interest and conflict management policies and inclusion of individuals who are not physicians and their perspective, among others.

In addition, ACP was recently named to the new Cochrane US Network, which consists of some of the country's leading institutions in the research and practice of evidence-based medicine. ACP is the only physician membership organization named as a network affiliate. Amir Qaseem, MD, FACP, PhD, ACP's Vice President of Clinical Policy, will serve as the new network's director.

Governance Committee seeks Regents for 2020

The Governance Committee is beginning the process of seeking Regents to join the Board in April 2020. Important general qualifications include commitment to ACP, dependability, leadership qualities, and the ability to represent the College in numerous and diverse arenas. Regent nominees must be Fellows or Masters of the College and should be prepared and qualified to serve as members of the ACP Services Board of Directors, a position which they will also assume if elected to the Board of Regents.

All candidates must declare their intent by Aug. 1, 2019, and submit the following, no later than Sept. 1, 2019:

1. 1. Three letters of recommendation
2. 2. Current curriculum vitae
3. 3. Biographical sketch
4. 4. Responses to standardized questions
5. 5. Disclosure of Interests electronic form
6. 6. Photograph
7. 7. Personal statement, to include: a. Brief description of his/her current activities; b. Special attributes that the candidate would bring to the Board of Regents; c. Previous and current service in College-related activities; and d. Service in organizations other than the College (medical and nonmedical).

All materials must be received by Sept. 1, 2019, or the nomination will not be advanced to the Governance Committee. Candidates who wish to be considered for a second year may choose to retain their nomination materials on file or submit new materials. After two years of consideration, new materials must be submitted. For retained letters of recommendation, letter writers will be contacted by staff to affirm the writer's continued support.

Please contact Lauren Cruz at governance@acponline.org no later than Aug. 1, 2019, to declare your intent to be a candidate for Regent. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Cruz toll free at (800) 523-1546, ext. 2817, or direct at (215) 351-2817.

Action on spring 2019 BOG resolutions now available

A summary of Board of Regents actions on spring 2019 Board of Governors (BOG) resolutions debated at the April Board of Regents meeting is available online. Resolutions initiated by ACP members and endorsed by a chapter council and the BOG become ACP policy when adopted by the Board of Regents.

ACP partners with TIME’S UP Healthcare

The collaborative founding partnership will promote gender safety, equity, and inclusion for those working in health care, as detailed in a commentary published June 18 by Annals of Internal Medicine.

ACP and TIME’S UP Healthcare will coordinate efforts, share best practices, and provide support for each organization's educational and advocacy work, the commentary said.