A University of Alabama at Birmingham primary care physician will lead a national organization. Lisa Willett, M.D., director of the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program and vice chair for Education in the Department of Medicine, was elected president-elect of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine. After her term, she will go on to serve as its president.
The APDIM is part of the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine and represents program directors, faculty and administrative coordinators who are involved in internal medicine residency programs. Willett says she hopes to ensure residents continue to receive the training they need.
“There is so much pressure in health care today that is competing with time and attention for our young physician colleagues in training,” Willett said. “Program directors and members of APDIM are essential to future medicine — ensuring our residents are prepared to provide excellent care to all patients in our society.”
Addressing burnout among physicians, residents and program directors is another goal she aims to accomplish.
“I want to learn more about the pressures on program directors that are causing burnout, provide resources and support to help all program directors do their jobs effectively, and remind those of us involved in this process about the joy and privilege of what we do,” Willett said.
Willett’s term begins July 1.