Mukta Panda, MD, FACP, assistant dean for Medical Education, professor of medicine and program director of the transitional year residency program for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, has been awarded Mastership in the American College of Physicians (ACP), the national organization of internists.
Election to Mastership recognizes outstanding and extraordinary career accomplishments. Masters must have made a notable contribution to medicine. This includes, but is not limited to, teaching, outstanding work in clinical medicine either through research or practice, contributions to preventive medicine, improvements in the delivery of health care, and/or contributions to medical literature.
“Mastership is conferred only on a select number of worthy candidates who are deemed distinguished through a combination of achievements, including the practice of internal medicine, academic contributions to our specialty, and service to the college,” said Jack Ende, MD, MACP, chair of the Awards Committee for ACP. “In making decisions about each candidate’s suitability for Mastership, the committee considered qualities such as strength of character, integrity, perseverance, leadership, compassion, and devotion, as well as clinical expertise and commitment to advancing the art and science of medicine.”
Dr. Panda’s scholarly work is focused on educational and curricular development, spirituality in medicine, addressing fatigue and stress and promoting wellness in health care providers. She facilitates regular retreats for health care professionals and trainees, while also participating as the facilitator with the Center of Courage and Renewal.
As co-chair of the Associates Committee for the Tennessee Chapter ACP, Dr. Panda has contributed to the associates activities at the annual chapter scientific meeting for many years. She has served multiple terms as a member of the Governor’s Council of the Tennessee Chapter ACP and has co-chaired the chapter Scientific Planning Committee.
Dr. Panda has also authored over 60 publications and book chapters with many residents serving as co-authors. She has received multiple teaching awards from medical students and resident. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recognized her as a 2008 recipient of the Parker Palmer Courage to Teach Award. The Tennessee Chapter ACP recognized her with the Laureate Award in 2011. In 2016 she received the ACP Award for Outstanding Educator of Residents and Fellows.
“As a Master of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Panda embodies qualities such as a teacher and mentor, advocacy for quality in internal medicine, a commitment to social justice, deep interest in people, and the creation of communities of medicine,” Dr. Ende said. “She is recognized as a “citizen physician,” educational innovator, humanist, and learner-teacher who inspires others to seek high standards and excellence in our cherished specialty of Internal medicine.”
According to ACP bylaws, Masters are elected “on account of personal character, positions of honor, contributions toward furthering the purposes of the ACP, eminence in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine.” ACP activities are also taken into consideration for all candidates. This includes service to the ACP in an official capacity, participation in chapter activities, and involvement in the development of College products and educational programs. Volunteer and community service is also taken into consideration.
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 148,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness.