In today's globally networked world, nurturing international communication, collaboration, and engagement is critical to our health care mission. ACP is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, recognizing the indispensable role of internal medicine physicians in this global endeavor. Our Global Engagement Committee (GEC) is a diverse assembly of internal medicine physicians and staff from around the world. This committee offers a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions. As medical challenges know no borders, the dedication of our GEC members toward global engagement is genuinely commendable. ACP's steadfast commitment to inclusivity, equity, patient-centric care, and systems that foster professional fulfillment and well-being are paramount in building bridges of understanding among diverse cultures and nations.
Meet Our Newest Committee Members
Irene Ma, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FACP, RDMS, RDCS, FAIUM
Dr. Irene Ma completed her internal medicine residency training and two clinical fellowships (Nephrology and General Internal Medicine) at the University of British Columbia. This was followed by a Masters in Epidemiology at Stanford University, and a PhD in Medical Education at the University of Calgary.
She is a Professor of Medicine and a research chair holder (the John A. Buchanan Chair in General Internal Medicine) at the University of Calgary. She practices general internal medicine, along with a research and academic interest in all things related to medical education, procedural skills, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). During her sabbatical, with the support of the University of Calgary, she completed a one-year Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Since this training, she has devoted much of her academic time and energy towards ushering in POCUS and procedural skills training for Internal Medicine locally and nationally.
Dr. Ma first joined the ACP as a first-year medical resident. The Mission of ACP 鈥渢o enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine,鈥 is one that Dr. Ma feels strongly about. She is grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the Governor of Prairies Provinces Chapter of ACP. As a member of the Global Engagement Committee, Dr. Ma looks forward to ongoing collaboration amongst the many wonderful International Chapters at ACP, to optimize learning experiences, engagement, and exchanges amongst learners and practicing physicians in this diverse community.
Ricardo Correa, MD, EdD, FACE, FACP, FACMQ
Dr. Ricardo Correa is the Program Director for Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship, Director for health equity and inclusive initiatives, and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of Longitudinal Didactics and Director for Mentoring at the Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
He completed his Medical School and master's in education (EdD) at The University of Panama. He completed a research fellowship in Epidemiology and Tropical disease at I.C.G.E.S. in Panama City and his internal medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital-University of Miami (UM) program. In 2012, he was honored with the A.O.A. and GoldDOC Award from the UM. Then, he pursued his clinical and research fellowship in endocrinology with a particular focus on neuroendocrinology and adrenals at the National Institute of Health.
He was trained in Evidence-based Medicine at McMaster University in Canada and in the Editorial process and O.J.S. by LATINDEX. He was co-director of the Panamanian Cochrane Center and continues to be an EBM advocate.
Dr. Correa has been involved in organized medicine since medical school. He has taken an active leadership role in multiple national organizations. Besides Endocrine, he has been involved with the local, regional, and national organization in the area of medical education, leadership, and physician wellbeing, including the A.M.A. joy in medicine organization; A.C.G.M.E. at different levels including the duty hour task force; N.B.M.E. as part of the board; A.B.I.M., A.B.M.S., E.C.F.M.G Board of Directors, and other national organizations.
Dr. Correa has been involved in multiple academic, scientific, and educational activities, including article Consultant, Interpretation of the Medical Literature Project, N.B.M.E., International Committee, member of the Committee on publications Ethics (COPE), World Association of Medical Editors, Editorial board, and peer reviewer of multiple prestigious journals in endocrinology, health equity, and medical education. He has also been a consultant for Latin-American science centers, including Bolivia and Panama national science departments.
He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Medical Quality. He is the author of the book title 鈥淐ase report: basics and publication.鈥 and senior Co-Editor of the book 鈥淓ndocrinology of Aging.鈥 His research focuses on neuroendocrinology, mainly on pituitary and adrenal tumor and health care disparities in diabetes in Latinx populations. His clinical focus is transgender underserved populations. He is active member of LGBTQ national medical organization. He has more than 100 publications in peer reviewed journals, and he is an associate editor or co-editor in chief or editorial board of more than 10 well recognized journals. Dr. Correa has received multiple grants from federal institutions and private institutions for his research in adrenals, transgender, and health disparities.
He is dedicated to the community and helps as the -medical director for an underserved clinic in Phoenix, where he created the endo and diabetes clinic. He also helped screened asylum patients as part of his volunteer work with the 100 Angels group, and he gives lectures and mentors to many underrepresented minorities to become part of medicine. Due to all his career, Dr. Correa has been awarded several recognitions, including Presidential Leadership scholar, 100 Hispanic Inspiring Scientist, Medscape Rising Start, NMQF 40 under 40, Humanitarian award by Arizona Medical Association, Medscape Rising Star, Eric Nilsen Award from AAIM, SGIM health disparities award and many other prestigious national awards. He is the founder of the health equity fellowship for Creighton School of Medicine.
He is the immediate past chair of the council of early Career Physician of the ACP and during his tenure as chair he was part of the board of regent of the ACP. He has been involved in multiple committees in the organization and is part of the ACP delegation to the American Medical Association.
Everard N. Barton, MD, FACP
Dr. Barton is originally from Tobago in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, though he has resided in Jamaica for three and a half decades. He holds a Bachelor of Sciences (Hons) in Chemistry and Zoology from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from The University of Ibadan, Nigeria (MBBS), specialized in Internal Medicine (DM Internal medicine) from the University of The West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. Dr. Barton received a Commonwealth Fellowship to pursue Nephrology in the United Kingdom. He is former Chair of the Department of Medicine, Mona, Jamaica, and former Editor-in-Chief of the West Indian Medical Journal, the only peer-reviewed journal in the English-speaking Caribbean, as well as Director of the Center for HIV AIDS, Research and Social Services. Dr. Barton has initiated voluntary outreach clinics to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. He is a Fellow of the 管家婆心水论坛 (FACP) and of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCP)(Ed). The Government of Jamaica bestowed on Dr. Barton National Honors (Order of Distinction) for Medicine and the Governor General's Medal for Service in Medicine.
Dr. Barton was the second interim Governor of the ACP Caribbean Chapter and went on to become the Chapter's first full-term Governor. During his time as governor, the chapter has implemented regional grand rounds and joint distinguished lectures in partnership with the Departments of Medicine, the Caribbean Internal Medicine Physician's Day, and annual chapter meetings. Additionally, advocacy efforts for environmental issues and determinants of crime have been initiated, and outreach screenings for non-communicable diseases were conducted by medical students, residents, and nurses from the Chronic Kidney Disease Program.
Learn more about the Committee and its 2024-25 Members
Back to the September 2024 issue of ACP Global