Rising Star Chapter
The Rising Star Chapter Award goes to one chapter who has been active for 2 years or less, who in the past 12 months have made improvements to their leadership, stability and growth, and membership. The recipient of the Rising Star Chapter Award for 2019 is the Blue Ridge Chapter of SHM, which has made significant strides to develop since its launch in the fall of 2018. The chapter represents counties in northwest Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and western North Carolina.
The chapter held three meetings in 2019 which were well attended by hospitalists, residents/fellows, administrators, advanced practice providers, and nurses. On average, attendees from five to six different hospitalist groups are represented. The chapter hosted both Dr. Chris Frost, immediate past president of the SHM board of directors, and Dr. Ron Greeno, a past president of the SHM board of directors.
The SHM Blue Ridge Chapter has collaborated with both the ACP Tennessee Chapter and the Healthcare MBA program at Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.
The chapter leadership regularly attends local medical residency programs at noon conferences to attract and recruit young physicians into chapter activities. Overall, the chapter has seen a growth in membership in 2019. The Blue Ridge Chapter is an active, enthusiastic chapter that is rapidly growing and thriving.
Outstanding Membership Recruitment and Retention
The Outstanding Membership Recruitment and Retention Award is a new exemplary award for 2019 that goes to one chapter who has gone above and beyond to implement initiatives to recruit and retain SHM members in their chapter. The recipient of the Outstanding Membership Recruitment and Retention Award for 2019 is the Western Massachusetts Chapter of SHM, which has done outstanding work to recruit and retain the membership. In 2019, the SHM membership in the chapter grew by 24%. The chapter utilized Chapter Development Funds to launch new initiatives to conduct outreach to nonmember hospitalists in the community and invite them to meetings to obtain the SHM experience. Additionally, the chapter encouraged residents to join and get involved by hosting a poster competition.
The Western Massachusetts Chapter focused on being innovative, inclusive, and creative to retain their existing meetings. For example, the chapter hosted a new “Jeopardy Session” event that featured a nontraditional jeopardy game that attracted a large attendance including local residents. Additionally, the chapter insured that all clinical and nonclinical members of the hospital medicine team were included and encouraged to participate in all chapter meetings. Lastly, the chapter launched a local awards program to recognize senior hospitalist and early career hospitalist who contributed to chapter development.
Most Engaged Chapter Leader
Dr. Therese Franco
The Most Engaged Chapter Leader Award is a new exemplary award for 2019 that goes to one chapter leader or district chair who is either nominated or self-nominated and has demonstrated how they or their nominee has gone above and beyond in the past year to grow and sustain their chapter and/or district and continues to carry out the SHM mission. The recipient of the Most Engaged Chapter Leader Award for 2019 goes to Thérèse Franco, MD, SFHM, president of the Pacific Northwest Chapter.
Dr. Franco has served as the chapter’s president for 2 years and has served on the SHM Chapter Support Committee for 3 years. She has previously participated as a mentor in the glycemic control mentored implementation program, and as chair and cochair of the RIV contest. She continues to review abstracts, volunteer as a judge and offer local education on glycemic control through the Washington State Hospital Association, promoting SHM’s work there. One of Dr. Franco’s core strengths has been effective collaboration with past leaders (such as Rachel Thompson, MD, and Kimberly Bell, MD), future leaders, and other organizations (such as the Washington State Medical Association and the King County Medical Association). Dr. Franco has recruited an outstanding leadership team and new advisory committee for the Pacific Northwest Chapter, resulting a fantastic year of growth, innovation, and development.
