Recognizing the growing need to support the recruitment, training and advancement of the next generation of Preventive Medicine physicians, ACPM created a new staff role to provide dedicated support for preventive medicine residency programs, medical students, residents and early career physicians to take full advantage of the enriching and fulfilling experiences that come with membership in the College. In September 2023, it was my honor to step into this role — Director of Residency Engagement and Development.
The timing of this transition aligns with the start of my tenth year with ACPM, and I am excited to unfold this new chapter in my personal career journey and to build out resources and programming that nurtures the future of the preventive medicine workforce. This increased focus on building the pipeline also aligns with the transition of the Public Health /General Preventive Medicine specialty to join the National Residency Match Program. In the coming weeks, I will work closely with the residency program directors in leading this effort, which will increase the visibility of the specialty and help programs recruit medical students.
A key goal in my new position is to build engagement with the College and to not only highlight, but also to create ways for members to get involved in your professional home. Whether you are a medical student, resident, full member, Fellow or retiree — there are numerous ways to be part of ACPM-sponsored initiatives, education and events throughout the year.
Since May is Hypertension Awareness Month, it seems timely to provide a few opportunities for members to use the College to improve their understanding and practice of addressing and preventing hypertension.
Improve Your Knowledge and Build Your Skills
Improve Your Knowledge and Build Your Skills
- Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, ACPM is leading pilot demonstration projects within health systems to reduce hypertension among disproportionately affected populations. ACPM members Ayanna Buckner, MD, MPH, FACPM; Stacey Schott, MD, MPH; and Prentiss Taylor, MD, serve as faculty on this project. Learn about systems-level promising practices and earn your CME credits.
- Build your competencies in improving population health through our evidence-based Population Health Curriculum. Six additional courses will be added to the curriculum this summer. Nearly all the courses include case studies in cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Implement a Quality Improvement (QI) project within your practice setting or residency rotation and submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation for PM2025 in Seattle, May 4-8. Submission launches this summer.
- Are you a medical student eager to advance your knowledge of Preventive Medicine? Take advantage of our course, Ten Essential Public Health Services for physicians, (free to ACPM members) and write a commentary on how it can be use to address hypertension and related social determinants of health.
- Coming Soon — ACPM will launch four new CME courses for you to gain foundational knowledge on CDC’s Well- Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) initiative to improve cardiovascular outcomes among women ages 36-64.
Connect with Leaders in the Field and Contribute to the College
- Are you an expert in addressing hypertension? Submit a commentary for publication in AJPM or AJPM Focus or connect with ACPM to explore developing a CME course for members.
- Publish a peer-reviewed article, book chapter, book or funded to conduct research in hypertension recently? Share the news and ACPM will highlight your contribution on our website, weekly newsletter and/or social media.
- Want to contribute or publish policy or practice statements on reducing hypertension or other critical topics? Volunteer to serve on a committee and gain valuable leadership skills.
- Bring your expertise as you volunteer to serve on one of the tracks of Preventive Medicine 2025 planning committee or as an abstract reviewer.
- Join one of the new Special Interest Groups in Global Health, Pharmaceutical Medicine, and /or Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health and expand your perspectives in prevention and management of hypertension.
- Find your community and grow our network of fellow experts and enthusiasts through the Medical Student Section, Resident Physician Section, or the Young Physician Section.
- ACPM is privileged to have Dr. Prentiss Taylor serve on the steering committee of The National Hypertension Control Roundtable. Submit a volunteer form if you wish to represent ACPM in the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention or the Million Hearts Initiative.
- Explore our Advocacy Action Center and learn how you can educate your elected representatives and advocate for investing in public health initiatives and funding Preventive Medicine Residency.
- Become an Ambassador for Preventive Medicine and use your voice – in the media, on your social channels or in local community forums to talk about key and timely topics related to prevention.
Anita Balan, MPH, MCHES
Director, Residency Engagement and Development