UConn Health’s Dr. Rebecca Andrews ’02 MD will spend the next year as chair of the policy-making body for the American College of Physicians.

In addition to her roles as professor of medicine in the UConn School of Medicine, associate program director of its internal medicine residency program, primary care physician, director of primary care, and clinical lead for UConn Health’s Patient-Centered Medical Home and Comprehensive Pain Center, Andrews is now the chair of the ACP’s Board of Regents.

“The American College of Physicians (ACP) is the largest medical specialty organization,” Andrews says. “The ACP is active in advocating for our physicians, our patients, and improvements in our health care as a nation, which makes this such an honor and an opportunity. I’m excited to serve as the chair of ACP’s Board of Regents, and for the opportunity to lead an organization that represents internal medicine physicians and advances the profession of internal medicine.”

Andrews, who graduated from the UConn School of Medicine in 2002 and its internal residency program in 2006, joined the UConn Health faculty in 2009. Last year the ACP elected her chair-elect of its board of regents. As chair, her responsibilities include overseeing policy creation, presiding over committee meetings including the board’s executive committee, and maintaining fiduciary goals.

The American College of Physicians has a membership of more than 160,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students in more than 170 countries.

“Dr. Andrews is an outstanding physician, educator, and clinical leader,” says Dr. Eric Mortensen, chief of UConn Health’s Division of General Internal Medicine. “It is exciting to see her take on this critical role in the American College of Physicians, which represents all of the different branches of internal medicine.”

Andrews first became involved with the ACP as a medical student, joined the ACP’s early physician council, was elected a Fellow of the College in 2010, and since has served in several leadership roles in the Connecticut chapter and at the national level. She joined the ACP’s Board of Regents three years ago following a four-year term as the governor of the Connecticut chapter and a one-year term chairing the ACP’s board of governors. The chair of the board of regents and the president are the ACP’s two highest-level officers. The chair also may act on behalf of the president when the president is unavailable.

“The ACP is deeply committed to improving lives and advancing the quality of care for all, and helping physicians deliver the best health care possible,” Andrews says. “I look forward to helping to lead the organization over the next year, especially as a primary care internal medicine physician advocating for reduced administrative burdens, emphasizing the importance of immunizations and a strong public health infrastructure, and encouraging public health leaders to use the strongest evidence to guide medical care and public health policies.”

She was installed as chair of the board of regents at the ACP’s annual business meeting, April 5 in Philadelphia.