Carrie A. Horwitch MD, MPH, FACP
ACP Central America Chapter Meeting
February 17-18, 2017
Panama City, Panama
It was a great pleasure to represent the 管家婆心水论坛 at the 2017 Central America ACP Chapter Meeting. The meeting had well over 300 participants from several Central American countries. The meeting was opened by Dr. Temistocles Diaz, the Minister of Health for Panama, Dr. Juan Barrios, FACP, President of the Panama Internal Medicine Society, and Dr. Nestor Sosa FACP, Governor of the ACP Central America chapter.
There were 3 international speaker participants: Dr. Zaldy Tan, whose talks on dementia and general geriatric issues were very practical and helpful for this population; and Dr. Rene Alvarez, who gave talks on newer therapies for heart failure and atrial fibrillation,which generated a lot of interest. I gave talks on Taking a Sexual History and STDs, HIV for the Internist, The Use of Laughter for Physician Wellness, and the ACP college update and resources for members. We joined our esteemed colleagues from Panama: Dr. Daniel Abouganem, who presented talks on diabetes and thyroid nodules with the latest updates for these issues; Dr. Enrique Adames, with a talk on chronic hepatitis; Dr. Yassir Ruiz, speaking on oncology emergencies; and Dr. Fabio Jaramillo, who spoke on dyspnea in the emergency room. Wendy Rivera-Craig from national ACP was present to help participants learn more about resources and products ACP offers.
Drs. Giselle Rodriquez and Walter Valverde led the 5 resident teams for their doctors dilemma competition, with the winning team going to the Internal Medicine Meeting in San Diego. Several medical students were helping at the meeting, as well. There were posters presented in the foyer from medical students and residents. The last evening of the meeting was the gala award dinner, honoring Dr. Daniel Pichel, FACP, a prominent cardiologist, as the Central America chapter laureate award recipient. Prior to the laureate award there were 2 amazing performances, one by members of the National Ballet and the other by medical students presenting traditional Panamanian dancing.
The meeting was a great success and Dr. Sosa and his council and planning committee are already excited about working on next year's meeting.
For photos from this meeting, visit the Ambassadors in Action section of ACP Online.