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EDITORIAL

This issue of the ACPA Pulse is the second of a two part series with

highlights from the very successful ACPA first annual general assembly meeting that took place in Houston, TX from April 21st to 23rd, 2017. As promised in the previous issue, we here present a comprehensive summary of the rich content covered by various panelists and presenters during the annual general assembly meeting of the ACPA. Mr. Philip Okala gave a riveting talk centered on healthcare financing and management in the United States. This is quite timely given that healthcare is currently a hot button issue. In a related

and equally outstanding presentation, Dr. Daisy Ayim (ACPA Founders club member) presented critical tips for setting up a solo medical practice. Mr. Dan Michalk gave important tips about financial planning and estate management, with special focus on physicians. Dr. Ellen Friedman talked about work life balance and burnout among physicians. Also included in this issue is a report on various NGO’s that have been successful in conducting medical missions in Cameroon. This issue has many photos taken during the first annual general assembly meeting of ACPA.

The ACPA Pulse is proud to spotlight a Founders Club member Dr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi. Read about

her incredible journey as she successfully balances a successful medical career with family life and much more.

The ACPA Pulse is a monthly Newsletter to highlight important events and achievements by the organization and its members. The ACPA pulse also welcomes submissions from the Cameroonian medical community at large. Each issue will be released at eh beginning of the month. Contact me directly at Journal@ACPA-CMR.org

Special thanks to the members of the Publications and IT committee:Dr. Christian Bime, Dr. Alan Tita, Dr. Bertand Fote, Dr. Dione Mbame, Dr. Kingah Pascal, and Dr. Denis A. Foretia

www.smile.amazon.com

ACPA Headquaters, 6557 Satilla Road Blackshear, GA 31516 - www.ACPA-CMR.org, Email: info@ACPA-CMR.org

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Financial Planning Recap from Convention

During the first annual meeting held in Houston, TX from April

21st to 23rd, 2017, ACPA members were treated to a number discussions on varying important topics. Today, we highlight the discussion on Financial Planning and Estate Management given by Mr. Dan Michalk, CFP, CHFC, President and Founder of Water Way wealth.

Mr. Michalk’s presentation focused on the critical elements of financial planning that every physician should incorporate in their financial house. He

started by discussing the components of a comprehensive financial plan – efficiency, clarity, goals, peace of mind and simplicity. He went on to address the different pillars of a solid financial plan. He presented a picture of a pyramid with protection (health, life, disability and umbrella insurance) at the base, followed by savings and preparations for expected expenses, and then long term investment strategies for retirement and estate planning. He went into some detail on each of these elements and offered eye opening perspectives.

He also gave an overview of the financial planning industry, touching on the different types of advisors, certifications and business structures. He noted that these are important considerations in deciding who to choose for a financial advisor, as each has different approaches to financial planning. Overall, it was a great presentation that enlightened ACPA members on the importance of solid financial planning, including some strategies and approaches to achieving this.

ACPA first Annual Meeting highlight –

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Summaryon BurnoutDr. Ellen Friedman, Professor

of Otolaryngology and the Director of the Center for Professionalism at Baylor College of Medicine gave a riveting and interactive talk on burnout, how to recognize it, what its effects are and some techniques to try to avoid it. Using an audience participation app to poll the room, we all agreed that fatigue and exhaustion are the top telltale signs of burnout. An interesting statistic is that some studies suggest that at least 50% of US physicians are suffering from professional burnout. Not surprising is the fact that critical care, emergency medicine, general

surgery, family medicine and internal medicine top the list of specialties with highest percentages of Physicians who are “burned out”.

Work, lifestyle and personality traits are the major causes of burnout. Lack of recognition for the work you do, taking on too many responsibilities and perfectionist tendencies are some examples of things that can result in burnout. This can affect behavior, physical, as well as emotional well being. Some signs and symptoms to look out for are feeling tired most of the time, feelings of helplessness, detachment/isolation and resorting

to food, drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms. Though this all seems very bleak, Dr. Friedman advised the audience to use the 3 R’s to deal with burnout: Recognize, Reverse, Resilience. Recognize by watching out for the warning signs of burnout. Reverse by undoing the damage by managing stress and seeking support. Finally, build Resilience to stress by taking care of your physical and emotional health. At the end of her talk, Dr. Friedman tasked the audience to focus on gratitude and to maintain our commitment to professionalism.

On Sunday April 23rd 2017, the ACPA hosted a free community

health fair in collaboration with several partners. This culminating event of the ACPA’s first annual meeting in Houston was organized in line consistently use either ACPA’s or ACPAs. The goal of the health fair was to enhance awareness about preventive health measures and emphasize general wellness. It was open and free to all and specifically targeted the local African American, East African and Cameroonian communities who worship at the St Nicholas Catholic Church in Houston. The efforts of the planning committee were significantly buffered by a collegiate inter- collaboration;

the Association of Cameroonian Nurse Anesthetists, and several Cameroonian mid-level health care professionals volunteered in the planning and execution. 35 volunteers including 23 physicians, 3 CRNAs, 4 nurse practioners, 2 pharmacy students, one RN participated in the fair. The valiant efforts of the fundraising team raised over $2000 which was used to purchase supplies and giveaways for the health fair such as free blood pressure cuffs, pillboxes and pedometers.

Over a hundred adults and children attended the fair. Participants had the chance to go through varying stations; welcome

and triage where vital signs were taken , general Prevention/Internal medicine, First Aid Skills training, women’s health /ObGyn, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Rheumatology, Orthopedics, a health food station and a Forever Living stand. Attendees had the opportunity to receive counseling and informational handouts on a range of health related topics, ask specific questions of the consultants, obtain guidance with respect to their complaints and obtain information about where follow up could be established in the Houston area especially for those with limitations in access to care. 20 attendees with very elevated blood pressures were given free automated blood pressure cuffs and guidance for further workup.

The health fair was well received by the community, and several attendees indicated their appreciation for the information and resources received. Participants filled out surveys at the end to evaluate the services and information from these surveys will be used to optimize the efforts for future health fairs. This first community event was a great stepping board for future ACPA service projects.

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From Convention: Health mission and healthcare opportunities in Cameroon

HEALTH FAIR RECAP

During the first annual meeting held in Houston, TX from April

21st to 23rd, 2017, ACPA members were treated to a number discussions on varying important topics. Today, we highlight the panel discussion on health missions and healthcare opportunities in Cameroon. Dr. Enaka Yembe of the Yembe Foundation, Dr. Anne Burnley Ekiti of the Patcha Foundation, Mr. Craig Sharver of Mercy ships and Mrs. Rosemary Atanga of the Atanga Kidney Foundation led the panel discussion.

Each panelist spoke in detail about the work of their foundations in Cameroon. Their discussions had a common theme – there is a dire need

for help with provision of healthcare in Cameroon and medical missions help address some of this need. They each painted a picture of devastating effects of poverty and the lack of access to healthcare in different areas of Cameroon. Each presenter showed data and pictures of the wonderful work and many lives that they touched through their mission trips. They also discussed the challenges involved in organizing and executing a mission trip, highlighting the need for partnership and teamwork. They stressed opportunities that members, via the ACPA platform, have in touching lives in Cameroon through mission trips. Mercy Ships is currently

in cameroon so that last line needs to be changed.

Overall, it was a humbling discussion, yet heartwarming and encouraging. Humbling because of the evidence of effects of suffering, poverty and lack of access to health care in our beloved Cameroon! Heartwarming because of the evidence of hope, faith and live saving interventions that each of the Foundations accomplished in their mission trips! Encouraging because of the message and evidence of opportunities that ACPA members have to build on these foundations and make a difference in Cameroon.

Health mission and healthcare opportunities in Cameroon

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ACPA first Annual Meeting highlight –

GENERAL GUIDELINESFOR SUCCESS:

Tips for setting up a solo medical practice in 2017

During the first annual ACPA meeting at The Woodlands Resort,

Texas USA, Founders Club member Daisy A. Ayim, MD, FACOG discussed the business of medicine, with a focus on crucial tips for setting up a successful solo medical practice. Dr. Ayim, is a Johns Hopkins University-trained, board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a decade of experience and success in solo private practice. Dr. Ayim advises future solo practitioners to:

- Know your vision - Have timelines and deadlines - Focus on ultimate goal - Find supportive mentors and build networks - Remember that you are your brand - Recognize that it takes hard work - Take care of self – Relax (if possible!)

Tips for setting up a solo medical practice in 2017

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Dr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi is a board certified Family Medicine physician

practicing in Salisbury, NC. Her desire to practice in a setting that provides an opportunity for a “wide variety of clinical settings and a very broad scope of practice” led her to choose Family Medicine as her specialty. That is a decision she relishes since her current practice setting as lead physician in a busy hospital-owned family practice setting (Novant Health Primary Care) gives her exactly this opportunity. Dr. Egbe-Tanyi loves the fact that she is able to achieve her passion of blending preventive care with management of acute illnesses and chronic conditions. As someone who is fond of women’s health issues and child development, family medicine is the perfect specialty for her. In her own words, “family medicine is the specialty that allows me to address all of that while getting to know not just my patients but also their families.”

Dr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi’s path to medicine took her to the Dominican Republic where she completed medical school at Ross University School of Medicine. She did her residency training in Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center/OU Family and Preventive Medicine Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a foreign medical graduate (FMG), Dr. Egbe-Tanyi recounts some of the early difficulties in her career unique to FMG’s. She sees a vital role that ACPA can play in helping future FMGs through mentorship and advice that she “probably

could have used.”

Dr. Egbe-Tanyi cites ACPA’s mission to provide a forum to foster the professional growth of its members as one of the reasons why she joined ACPA. In an interview with ACPA Pulse, she remarks that “an organization such as ACPA would have provided invaluable resources for me

as a medical student, physician in training and even as a young physician, especially in connecting me with Physician mentors who would have helped guide some of my career decisions early on.” She stresses “networking, networking, networking!” as a vital component of ACPA’s mission that will help all members at different stages of their careers. As chair of ACPA’s Membership Committee she continues to play a vital role in sharing ACPA’s mission and vision with Cameroonian physicians in the US as ACPA’s recruiter-in-chief. Her leadership and strengths as

a doer and visionary are evident in her committee’s success in growing ACPA’s membership. She is truly a breath of fresh air!

Besides being a successful Family Medicine physician who is highly respected in her community and loved by her patients, Dr. Egbe-Tanyi is a

wife and mother to three beautiful young children. She absolutely enjoys spending time with her family in Kannapolis, just a few miles away from the Charlotte metropolis in North Carolina. In addition to skillfully joggling family life with life as a full-time physician, Dr. Egbe-Tanyi also enjoys reading for personal/spiritual development and growth, creative writing, music (singing, piano), Christian missions, starting a business, traveling and a lot more.

Dr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi’s love of community and her passion for her work is one of the reasons why she has become a favorite among her staff and patients in the short time she has been in North

Carolina. She believes that as a physician, her commitment is to serve others and make a difference in their lives. This commitment is one of the main drivers of her decision to not only join ACPA, but to be very engaged ACPA member. She urges every Cameroonian physician in the USA to join ACPA - a dynamic team of other committed Physicians – so that together we can work towards a greater cause and mission to serve and make a difference in the health and lives of our community here in the U.S. and in Cameroon.

Dr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi: Wife, mother and physician

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We don’t want to miss your special day, send us your birthday: NFobi@ACPA-CMR.org

The ACPA Membership Committee wishes a Happy Birthday to the following ACPA Members:

Dr. Eric Mbua Dr. Bertrand FonjiDr. Ronald AmbeDr. Chris BimeDr. Susan Egbe-Tanyi

Dr. MAL FobiDr. Emmanuel MengaDr. Nelson TajongDr. Martha TekeDr. Judith PeyechuMs. Ngwebifor Fobi

Group for FMG’s

* Are you a Foreign Medical Graduate?

* Would you like to join an active group to help you navigate the American Residency Program?

* Have you successfully navigated the American Residency Program and are available to share your knowledge with other members?

Denis Foretia, MD, PresidentBertrand Fote, MD, Secretary

MAL Fobi, MD, TreasurerNgwebifor Fobi, Executive Director

ACPA Headquarters6557 Satilla Road

Blackshear, GA 31516www.ACPA-CMR.orgInfo@ACPA-CMR.org

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Member Achievements

Founder’s Club member Dr. Shirley Ayuk-Takem who is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and

Board Certified Internist is now a Certified Critical Care Physician.

August, September & October

We have a very active WhatsApp group you may join. If you are interested please send your WhatsApp number to NFobi@ACPA-CMR.org.

As a caution, nothing other than FMG related issues can be discussed on this group.- Dr. Enaka Yembe, FMG WhatsApp Group Facilitator

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