NYACP Presidents Message
February 2025
Susan Y. Lee, MD, FACP
Chapter President
From the President’s Desk
I hope this message finds you well as we move into February. This is one of my favorite months as I get to strap on the skis and snowshoes. I enjoy both hobbies because it allows me to be outdoors in winter to explore scenic landscapes and to get exercise but, most of all, afterwards I can go indoors and participate in après ski/snowshoe time!
I want to wish all of the medical students who are applying to residencies the best of luck on their interviews, and I hope that you will opt to rank one of the many excellent residency programs we he have in the State of New York.
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The Health Impacts of California Wildfires
The devastating wildfires in California have been a wake-up call about the connection between climate change and health. Beyond the physical damage, wildfire smoke filled with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) puts countless people at risk for respiratory and heart-related illnesses. Children, seniors, and people with pre-existing conditions are especially vulnerable.
Here in New York, our new Climate Change Task Force, led by Dr. Evan Siau, is addressing these urgent challenges. The Task Force is advocating for sustainable healthcare practices, pushing for strong public health policies, and developing resources to help us educate our patients on how to stay safe during dangerous events. Under Dr. Siau’s leadership, we’re taking action to make sure our state is ready to tackle the health effects of climate change head-on. One of the items that the chapter and committee are thrilled about is that Governor Hochul signed the Climate Change Superfund Act (A.3351/S.2129) into law on December 26, 2024! This groundbreaking legislation is a major step forward in holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their contributions to climate change.
Here’s what the law will do:
• Require fossil fuel companies to pay into a dedicated fund that helps New York respond to climate impacts.
• Provide funding for programs focused on public health, climate mitigation, and community resilience.
• Prioritize efforts on air quality, disaster preparedness, and environmental justice for communities that need it most.
This is a big win for public health, and we’re proud to see our state taking bold steps to protect New Yorkers.
National ACP Meeting in New Orleans
I’m so excited to share that over 40 of our New York Chapter members will be presenting at the National ACP Scientific Meeting in New Orleans this April! This incredible achievement highlights the expertise and dedication of our chapter members.
Want to see who’s presenting? New York IM25 Faculty
For those attending the meeting: Don’t miss the convocation ceremony for new Fellows—congratulations to those invited to participate. Also, keep an eye out for details on the NYACP Reception on Friday, April 4th at 6 pm at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, this is a great opportunity to relax, connect with colleagues, and meet chapter leaders and Governors. We’d love to see you there!
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Advocacy Updates
NYACP continues to make advocacy a priority!
Recently, we’ve:
• Met with policymakers to emphasize the health impacts of climate change.
• Advocated for increased funding for public health programs.
• Supported underserved communities through targeted initiatives.
Check out the highlights from our latest advocacy update here. Your voice matters, and we encourage you to get involved in upcoming efforts. Together, we’re making a difference for all New Yorkers! To get involved in advocacy at the State level, contact Loretta Ponesse (lponesse@nyacp.org), and for involvement at the Federal level, we encourage you to join AIMn (Advocates for Internal Medicine Network) – it’s FREE!
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February Health Observance: American Heart Month
President Lyndon B. Johnson first proclaimed February as American Heart Month in 1964, and this month is a perfect time to focus on cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. and, as internal medicine specialists, we are on the front lines of prevention.
Let’s remind our patients to:
• Eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet.
• Stay active with regular exercise.
• Avoid smoking and manage stress.
This month is a great opportunity to spotlight heart health in our practices and communities. Let’s keep the conversation going! For your patients, I found this recent NY Times article to be spot on.
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Stay Connected
We are so proud of our incredible members—from the inspiring work of Dr. Evan Siau and the Climate Change Task Force to the amazing achievements of our session presenters heading to New Orleans. Thank you for all that you do to advance internal medicine and improve the health of our communities.
Stay up to date on everything NYACP offers by visiting the Chapter website and following NYACP on social media. We’d love to hear from you!
New York ACP is a 501C3 non-profit organization where contributions to our chapter help support educational activities focused toward all member segments (i.e., medical students, resident/fellows, early career physicians, mid-career physicians, etc.). Donations are tax deductible. Please consider making a contribution today! Doing so allows our Chapter the ability to continue offering top quality programs for all our members without interruption. Donate Here
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Lastly, on my mind, I cannot stop thinking about the murder of the United Health CEO and how it represents the urgency to reform healthcare in this country. I wrote this Op Ed in KevinMD, and I hope you take the time to read and reflect on how physicians and patients can navigate together to make healthcare better for all.
Together, We Rise
Here’s a haiku to close out this month’s newsletter:
In shared steps we find
Roots entwined, unbreakable—
Together, we rise
Hope we will be together soon,
Susan Y. Lee, MD, FACP
Governor, New York Chapter
American College of Physicians