News Release

ACP Advocate blog cited as best health policy/ethics Weblog

'One of the more influential professional association blogs out there,' declares contest sponsor

Grant and Award Announcement

American College of Physicians

Washington— The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty was cited at the conclusion of voting last week as "the Best Health Policies/Ethics Weblog of 2009" in the 2009 Medical Blog Awards. The announcement of the winners noted that "while representing The American College of Physicians (ACP) on societal and public policy issues, [Robert B. Doherty] runs one of the more influential professional association blogs out there."

The sixth annual Medical Blog Awards were conducted by Medgadget and sponsored by Epocrates. Finalists in seven categories were chosen by the editors of Medgadget, "the internet journal of emerging medical technologies," from more than 100 blogs nominated by Medgadget readers. Online voting was conducted to determine the winners, which were formally announced on Friday.

Begun in 2008, The ACP Advocate Blog is researched and written several times each week by Bob Doherty, ACP's senior vice president of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy. The blog invites commentary on the most provocative and intriguing health policy discussions that Doherty comes across as an advocate for internal medicine physicians and their patients. The blog "seeks to inform and entertain readers and to elicit thoughtful commentary from across the political spectrum, not just from ACP members but from others with an interest in health policy" said Doherty in learning of the award.

Throughout the past year, The ACP Advocate Blog has focused on the contentious health care debate in Washington. Doherty has waded through the controversies surrounding the issues to illuminate for his readers what the real impact of various health care reform proposals could be. "Thanks to all who support the blog, since any influence it has comes from you!" Doherty said at the conclusion of last Friday's blog entry.

Doherty has worked in health policy for more than 31 years. Starting in the governmental affairs department of the American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM) in 1979, he joined ACP in 1998 when ACP and ASIM merged. As senior vice president, Doherty is in charge of ACP's Washington office, with responsibility for legislative affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, public affairs, practice management and improvement, and ethics and professionalism.

"I am humbled and honored by your support, but of course, a blog is only as good as those who take the time to read it and post your comments - even, or especially, when you disagree with me!" Doherty told blog readers when he learned of winning the award.

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The ACP Advocate Blog is hosted on the ACP Web site at: http://blogs.acponline.org/advocacy/.

The American College of Physicians (www.acponline.org) is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 129,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internists specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illness in adults. Follow ACP on Twitter (www.twitter.com/acpinternists) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/acpinternists).


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