ACP Florida Chapter
A committed team guiding and strengthening Florida's medical community.
Florida Chapter
What we are here to do
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance internal medicine in Florida by fostering professional growth, promoting high-quality education, and ensuring physician well-being. We aim to empower a thriving medical community that delivers excellence in care and advocacy.
Our Vision
Our vision is to lead internal medicine in Florida by empowering members, enhancing patient care, and shaping healthcare's future. We strive to inspire a unified, inclusive, and innovative community of physicians and healthcare leaders.
Leadership
Governors
The chapter is led by two Governors — one heading its 501(c)(3) educational organization and one its 501(c)(6) — who represent Florida's members to the American College of Physicians nationally.
Mario J. Madruga, MD MACP
Governor
Mario J. Madruga, MD, MACP, is Governor of the ACP Florida Chapter, heading the chapter's 501(c)(3) educational organization and representing Florida's internists to the American College of Physicians nationally.
Elisa Sottile, MD FACP
Governor
Elisa M. Sottile, MD, FACP, is Governor for the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians. A graduate of Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, she chose to receive her Internal Medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, and is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean for Medical Education at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. Dr Sottile also serves her department as the Clerkship Director and Associate Program Director for the IM residency program.
Dr. Sottile is married to a fellow internal medicine specialist, Albert A Lopez DO. They share two adult children, both reside in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Sottile is an alumnus of the Stanford Faculty Development Center's train the trainer program for Clinical Teaching. She is an active member of the Society of General Internal Medicine, and was recently appointed Co-chair to SGIM's Education Committee. Her interests are medical education, advocacy and mindful practice.
While an ACP member for decades, I have not always been an active ACP member. One of the few things I wish I could do over in my professional career would have been to be an active ACP member much sooner! Many years ago, as an associate program director I truly began to learn of all the amazing things that both our Florida Chapter and National ACP do for our trainees (students and residents). ACP has resources for medical knowledge advancement, wellbeing and leadership. Then I learned that perhaps ACP's greatest role was to support physicians in the communities in which they work. How come I did not support this great organization sooner? I now see the expansive role of ACP, as it works to craft national policy that supports the ability for physicians to care for patients. ACP and our large group of advocates bring the voices of students, residents, and physicians to the ears of our local and national legislators, helping to create change in our medical system. As a proud active member of ACP, I invite you to join us, whether you wish to get involved as an active member, or simply to share in our resources and support this amazing organization of internal medicine specialists!
Governor's Advisory Council
The mission of the Advisory Council is to assist in the governance of the chapter, increase membership, keep the membership informed and serve as a liaison between the membership and leadership.
Avan Armaghani, MD FACP
Ankush Bansal, MD FACP FACPM SFHM
Daniel Bendetowicz, MD FACP
Stefanie Brown, MD MBA FACP FAAP
Zein Barakat, DO
Matthew T. Calestino, MD FACP SFHM
Daniela Carralero Somoza, MD
Karen Echeverria-Beltran, MD FACP
Margaret C. Lo, MD FACP
George Everett, MD MS MACP
Charles "Joey" Harrison, MD
Manning H. Hanline, MD MACP
Jeffrey House, MD FACP
Luis A. Isea Mercado, MD FACP
Olga Karasik, MD FACP
Joe Lezama Jr, MD MACP
Jorge Lascano, MD
Mario J. Madruga, MD MACP
Chandan Mitra, MD MPH FACP SFHM
Cristina Pravia, MD MBA FACP
Natalia Solenkova, MD PhD FACP
Elisa Sottile, MD FACP
Claudio D. Tuda, MD FACP
Nkemdilim J. Uzo, MD FACP
Jose Raul Valery, MD FACP
Richard Wyderski, MD FACP
Shelly Hakes
Dawn R. Moerings
Christopher L. Nuland, Esq.
Chapter structure
Committees
Each committee takes on one part of the chapter's work. All of them are open to members who want to contribute.
Communications Committee
Fostering meaningful connections within the physician community through innovative communication strategies.
- Chair
- Luis Isea Mercado, MD FACP
Membership Committee
Building an inclusive community of internal medicine physicians and supporting career development.
- Chair
- Luis Isea Mercado, MD FACP
Education Committee
Promoting excellence in medical education with high-quality learning opportunities.
- Chair
- Karen A. Echeverria-Beltran, MD FACP
- Co-Chair
- Jeffrey House, MD FACP
Wellness Committee
Advocating for the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of physicians.
Industry Relations
Legislative
Health & Public Policy
Councils
Council of Early Career Physicians
Enhancing the professional development of physicians within 16 years of graduation.
- Co-Chair
- Jose Raul Valery, MD FACP
- Co-Chair
- Avan Armaghani, MD FACP
Council of Residents / Medical Students
Supporting future physicians through mentorship and engagement.
- Co-Chair
- Zein Barakat, DO
- Co-Chair
- Daniela Carralero Somoza, MD
Interest groups and sections
IMG Interest Group
Supporting International Medical Graduates with mentorship and career development opportunities.
- Co-Chair
- Luis Isea Mercado, MD FACP
- Co-Chair
- Daniel Bendetowicz, MD FACP
Women in Medicine Section
Empowering and supporting women physicians while advocating for gender equity.
- Co-Chair
- Amalia Landa Galindez, MD FACP
- Co-Chair
- Elisa Sottile, MD FACP
Become a member of ACP
Join thousands of internal medicine physicians shaping the future of care.