Convocation Cause for Celebration as CEO Touts Bright Future for Grads, AAPL

At the 20th CPE convocation, attendees celebrate with 24 new CPE grads, learn about new board officers and honor nine individuals as fellows.

The American Association for Physician Leadership celebrated its 20th convocation with a class of 24 newly credentialed Certified Physician Executive graduates. It was just one of the highlights at an afternoon luncheon of graduations, celebrations, awards and new appointments.

AAPL president and CEO Peter Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, congratulates the new CPEs during Sunday’s convocation. | AAPL

“You are our new ambassadors,” association president and CEO Peter Angood, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, MCCM, told the CPE grads.

Added Jeremy Blanchard, chair of the Certifying Commission of Medical Management: “CPEs are hired to be more than clinicians. They are hired to lead organizations and articulate beyond the clinical.”

In his state of the association, Angood said that although AAPL is facing unprecedented competition, the organization is still on solid ground financially and with expectations of substantially increasing profitability.

“For many years, we didn’t have any competition,” he said. “But it’s begun to arise in universities. And that puts more pressure on us to stay out front as that leading-edge organization.”

He said goals for the next five years include:

• Remaining the premier educational resource in the industry by expanding the depth and breadth of the organization

• Be an influential force in thought leadership and information as it relates to physician leadership

• Maintain our wellness initiative with a holistic approach that helps physicians manage their professional and personal lives.

• Remain a go-to source in our working relationship with other organizations, including those in nursing and pharmacy.

Nine individuals were honored and received medallions as fellows at the convocation. | AAPL

“Our footprint continues to expand,” he said, noting the international growth of the association. “It’s a healthy organization.”

Meanwhile, Gregory Jolissaint, MD, MS, CPE, FAAPL, was introduced as the new chair of the AAPL board of directors, and Mark Lester, MD, MBA, CPE, FAANS, FACS, FACPE, was introduced as vice chair. New board members were announced as Gregg Davis, MD, MBA, FAACP, Linda Lawrence, MD, FACEP, CPE and Ash R. Golki, MD, FACEP, CPE, FAAPL.

Nine individuals were honored and received medallions as new fellows, including Matthew M. Eschelbach, MD, DO, CPE, FACEP, FAAPL; Amit K. Ghosh, MD, MBA, CPE, FACP, FASN, FRCP, FAAPL; David J. Hagan, MD, CPE, FAAFP, FAAPL; Thomas L. Higgins, MD, CPE, FAAPL, Bruce P. Levy, MD, CPE, FAAPL; Claudia R. Libertin, MD, FIDSA, CPE, FAAPL; Michael A. Torres, MD, MBA, CPE, CHCOM, FAAPL, Ani A. Bodoutchian, MD, MBA, FAAFP, FAAPL; and Donald L. Luyre, MD, MMM, CPE, FAAFP, FAAPL.

Also, the Roger Schenke Award was presented to Samuel Cullison, MD, ABFM, CPE, vice president of graduate medical education at Methodist Health System in Dallas. And the Leape Ahead Award went to New York City Health & Hospitals/Lincoln.