News

June 25, 2020

NYACP Held 1^st Virtual Lobby Day on Telehealth – June 19, 2020

The 2020 NYS Legislative Session and NYACP’s advocacy presence in Albany were far different than ever anticipated this year due to the unforeseen occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic.  NYACP’s strong lobby efforts continued but often in an expeditious manner and/or with a pivoted focus.

NYACP’s first Annual Advocacy Week, originally scheduled for May 4-8, 2020, was quickly transformed into the Chapter’s 1st Virtual Lobby Day.  This event, held on Friday, June 19, 2020, was a product of collaboration between NYACP’s Health and Public Policy (HPP), Health Information Technology (HIT) and Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) Committees and with “telehealth” as the topic of advocacy activity.  The day began with a Membership Call to Action, an early morning briefing session, personal calls to local NYS Assembly and Senate Representatives throughout the day, and virtual appointments with two key legislative leaders.

As seen over the past 3-4 months, the expanded use of telehealth became one strategy that emerged as being vitally important to enhancing healthcare delivery.  To support the expansion of telehealth modalities, including payment parity, and seek assistance in maintaining authority for telehealth applications following the current pandemic, this issue became a legislative priority for the Chapter. 

Lobby Day on June 19^th was a huge success!  Many thanks to all the members who responded to the Chapter’s Call to Action by sending letters to their local NYS elected officials, to the Chairs and Members of the NYACP’s HPP, HIT and QPS Committees for their collaborative expertise and leadership, and to Senator Gustavo Rivera (Chair, NYS Senate Health Committee) and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (Chair, NYS Assembly Health Committee) who listened to the Chapter’s message and personal physician stories and expressed interest in legislatively pursuing this telehealth expansion journey with us!

Stephan L. Kamholz, MD, MACP
NYACP President 1998-1999

It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic and untimely passing of Dr. Stephan L. Kamholz, who lost a prolonged battle with COVID-19, on June 11, 2020.

Dr. Kamholz was an outstanding teacher, compassionate clinician, brilliant researcher, quintessential gentleman and an exceptional leader serving as Governor for NYACP. He had the gift of a photographic memory and contributed vast knowledge to us through lectures such as “Wine and the Lung”, insightful comments on others’ talks, and, most importantly, an infectious spirit – of humor, warmth, and kindness.

Dr. Kamholz's  work in the field of medicine has spanned six decades as a student, scholar, practitioner, and leader across many of the New York region’s leading healthcare institutions.  He began his medical education at New York Medical College where he earned his M.D. in 1972.  He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine, as well as a fellowship in Pulmonogy at Montefiore Medical Center, after which he joined the Montefiore faculty in the Department of Medicine.

From 1986-1993 Dr. Kamholz served as Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn (SUNY-HSCB). In 2001 he was appointed Chairman of the Department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where he served until 2010. Dr.Kamholz went on to serve as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital. He joined Maimonides Hospital in 2013 as Chairman of the Department of Medicine and since 2014, he also served as program director of the Pulmonary Diseases Fellowship program.Throughout his career Dr. Kamholz earned numerous awards, conducted extensive research, and gave countless presentations related to Internal Medicine and Pulmonology.

Dr. Kamholz had a profound impact on thousands of physicians in training. His talent for spotting the particular potential in aspiring clinicians and helping them to fully capitalize on their individual gifts, played a pivotal role for many who have gone on to notable careers as physicians and as educators in their own right.

PPE Supplies -  An Exclusive Offer to Members from ACP
95 Masks and Gowns Available 

To help ACP members who are having trouble acquiring PPE, ACP is partnering with Project N95, a not-for-profit organization, to source a low-cost supply of high quality N95 masks and disposable isolation gowns. ACP is pleased to offer these at cost, available in small quantities, as a member-exclusive benefit.

Limited-Time Offer

The equipment is being sourced through a one-time bulk purchase, which may not be repeated, so order now for your anticipated needs over the coming months. All orders must be received by 3:00 pm (ET) on Friday June 26.

• Makrite 9500 N95 Respirator (FDA 510 (K) clearance and certified by CDC-NIOSH): Medium/Large, Box of 20 for $112.00 (plus taxes and domestic shipping)
• Disposable Isolation Gowns : Bag of 15 for $22.80 (plus taxes and domestic shipping)

This offer is only available to U.S.-based ACP members. Visit https://www.acponline.org/featured-products/ppe-materials for more information and to order. ACP login is required. For more information, please contact Michael Blake, mblake@acponline.org
 

Members in the News

Joseph J. Fins, MD, MACP, FRCP
The E. William Davis, Jr., M.D. Professor of Medical Ethics & Professor of Medicine Chief, Division of Medical Ethics, Weill Cornell Medical College

Published in the Health Law Journal of the New York State Bar Association on June 1, 2020: "Sunshine is the Best Disinfectant, Especially During a Pandemic" 
 Click here to read the full article  

Wayne Riley, MD, MACP
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Wayne J. Riley, M.D. Appointed to Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Wayne J, Riley, M.D., MPH, MBA, MACP, has been appointed by the United States Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). The announcement was made today by the U.S. General Accountability Office. Dr. Riley was appointed to a three-year term that runs through April of 2023. 
Learn more.

 
Joseph Wayne, MD, MACP
Joseph Wayne, an Internal Medicine physician and Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Albany Medical College, has been selected as a fellow of Royal College of Physicians of London. Fellowship at the College is a prestigious honor that recognizes’ physicians ongoing contributions to the profession. Dr. Wayne is also a Master of the American College of Physicians.
 

   John R. Maese, MD, MACP; Donna Seminara, MD, MACP;
   Zeel Shah, MD; and Anita Szerszen, MD, FACP
    Published in the American Journal of Medical Quality (2020).

  “What a Difference a Disaster Makes: The Telehealth Revolution in the Age of
   COVID-19 Pandemic.”
   
  Click here to read the full article  


Did you write an article or were you interviewed recently?
Have you been in the news lately -   let us know by emailing: Karen LaBello at klabello@nyacp.org

Registration Now Open!
Navigating the Financial World
Sponsored by the NYACP Medical Student Committee

Faculty: Chris Elsayad, MD, MBA, FACP
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 / 10-11 am

You mastered the basic sciences and you can master financial basics too! Supplement your medical studies with financial education to prepare for financial health and stability. Chris Elsayad MD, MBA, FACP was inspired and encouraged to get an MBA and teach physicians about financial essentials. Join Dr. Elsayad for a dynamic presentation on the basics of Contracts, Insurance, Budgeting and Investments and be prepared for the next step in your career and beyond!

Register Now
 

Last Chance – Apply for IMIG Funding by June 30^th!

Internal Medicine Interest Groups are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in funding through ACP’s IMIG Sponsorship Program.  The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 30^th!  Thank you to the IMIGs at the following medical schools for already registering to participate:    

• University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
• Albany Medical College
• SUNY Upstate Medical University
• New York Medical College

NYACP invites IMIG Student Leaders to be members of our Medical Student committee which assists in creating programming and activities for Medical Students.  If you are an IMIG Student or Faculty leader, please reach out to Amanda Allen at aallen@nyacp.org for more information. 
 

NYACP 2020 ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING -virtual presentations in real time!

Friday, October 9, 2020 
8:00 am - 12:50 pm

We've gone virtual and are connecting with members across New York more than ever! Join us as we shape the future practice of internal medicine together and improve the lives and health of our patients and of all New Yorkers!

The conference is a hybrid of live (in real time) and online recorded breakout sessions. Current and forthcoming information can be found here:
NYACP Annual Meeting

Earn CME credits and MOC points online from your home or office.

Residents and Students: Call for Abstracts - Annual Meeting Poster Competition has gone virtual!

The online abstract submission forms are available online at: Submit an Abstract
Deadline to submit is Friday, July 24, 2020 at 5 :00 pm.

Accepted presenters will present their E-poster online to judges on either Sept. 24 or Oct. 1st.
Winners will be announced virtually at the awards reception on Thursday, October 8th at 6 pm.