Patrick G. O’Connor, MD, MPH, MACP, Dan Adams and Amanda Adams Professor of General Medicine; and section chief (general medicine) was elected as treasurer for the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM). Founded in 1978, SGIM is a member-based international medical association of over 3,000 of the world's leading academic general internists, who are “dedicated to improving access to care for vulnerable populations, eliminating health care disparities and enhancing medical education.” SGIM is the professional home for “innovators and scholars in academic general internal medicine leading the way to better health for everyone.”
“This is a great opportunity to contribute to an organization that I think really has the right vision in terms of advancing a just system of healthcare, so that all people can achieve optimal health. By innovating and cultivating innovative researchers, educators, and clinicians, the Society attempts to accomplish that through academic general internal medicine,” said O’Connor.
A long-time member of SGIM, O’Connor was nominated, and then elected to the three-year term as the organization’s treasurer. He has held other leadership positions within the organization, serving as president of the New England region, and chair of the Journal of General Internal Medicine Editorial Board for six years. In addition, O’Connor was honored by SGIM with the 2019 Robert J. Glaser Award. He was also the inaugural recipient of the SGIM/Association of Chiefs and Leaders in General Internal Medicine (ACLGIM) Chief’s Recognition Award in 2007.
“It’s an organization I've enjoyed being part of,” he said. “It's also been an important organization for Yale more broadly. SGIM has supported not only faculty, but residents and students. The vast majority of the over 100 faculty members in Yale General Internal Medicine (Yale GIM) are highly active in SGIM and many have received national awards from the organization in recognition of their outstanding work as academic general internists. As a result, Yale GIM is recognized as a leading program in the United States. Every year, we have a reception at the national meeting, which travels all over the country. We've typically hosted over 100 faculty, residents, and students who come to the meeting to present their work. It’s been a real source of support for people to get together to network within the institution and to help them network throughout the country to support their careers in General Internal Medicine, whether it be research, education or patient care.”
O’Connor is taking on this role as an SGIM Officer and Council member at challenging time for academic organizations nationally. “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed major stress or organizations who depend on memberships and travel to national meetings to meet their goals,” said O’Connor. “Despite this, the virtual 2021 SGIM national meeting was a resounding success. Planning for the 2022 meeting is underway and I am hopeful that we will be able to gather in Orlando.”
O’Connor officially began his term in June 2021.
The Section of General Internal Medicine is committed to the core missions of patient care, research, education, and community health from the “generalist” perspective and is one of the 11 sections with the Department of Internal Medicine. To learn more about their mission and work, visit General Internal Medicine.