American College of Physicians to Honor Kelsey Seybold Clinic Physician with Mastership

John I. Hughes, M.D. the only Houston physician to be honored as a 2013 "Master of ACP"

Houston (April 3, 2013) – The American College of Physicians (ACP) will honor John I. Hughes, M.D., F.A.C.P., Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Gastroenterologist and Associate Medical Director of Clinical Academic Affairs and Affiliations, with advancement to Mastership. The award will be presented during ACP's annual Convocation ceremony Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.

The ACP follows a rigorous national standard when naming physicians to a Mastership level. Dr. Hughes is the only Houston physician to be honored as a 2013 "Master of ACP" and is one of only 47 physicians in the nation to receive this honor.

American College of Physicians President David L. Bronson, M.D., F.A.C.P., will preside over the awards ceremony. A total of 47 new Masters of ACP ("MACP"s) will be named, bringing the total to 811 internationally. 

Election 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 (research or practice), contributions to preventive medicine, improvements in the delivery of healthcare and/or contributions to medical literature.

"Dr. Hughes is one of our most highly-regarded physicians. He plays a significant role in the clinic and the Houston community. He has dedicated his life's work to improving the lives of our patients and it is gratifying to see him recognized for his innumerable contributions in this way," Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Chairman Dr. Spencer Berthelsen said. "The honor of being named a Master by the ACP is only given to exceptional individuals who have devoted their careers to excellence. Dr. Hughes is an example of this kind of physician – one who is committed to creating a healthier community." 

In naming Dr. Hughes a Master, the ACP cited numerous achievements throughout his career, including more than 50 scientific publications and multiple Outstanding Teacher awards from Baylor College of Medicine. He has held multiple leadership positions at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic including election to the Board of Directors, appointment to several medical director positions and Chairman of the Gastroenterology Department during his more than 30 year tenure. He was also named a Fellow of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 2011 which is the highest honor available to any staff physician.

In addition to holding several leadership roles at the national level, Dr. Hughes has been the recipient of various awards and honors stemming from his involvement with the Texas chapter of the ACP and is the first African American to serve on the Board of the Texas ACP.

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 are also taken into consideration.

Dr. Hughes stated "I am extremely humbled by the election to Master and thank my wife and family for their unyielding support as well as my colleagues at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic for their continued support and collaboration."

Levels of membership in ACP are Medical Student Member, Associate, Member, Fellow ("FACP"), Honorary Fellow, and Master ("MACP"). FACPs are recommended by their peers, endorsed by their local ACP chapter Governor, and reviewed by a national credentials subcommittee.

Throughout the year, highly distinguished Fellows of ACP are nominated for Mastership by ACP members and others familiar with their backgrounds. Each fall, a select group of these Fellows are chosen from among the nominees for Mastership by the ACP Awards Committee and approved by the ACP Board of Regents.

The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 133,000 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 good health to complex illness.

Internists specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illness in adults. Follow ACP on Twitter and Facebook.