The American College of Physicians

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is the nation’s largest medical specialty society and the second-largest physician group.  Founded in 1915, its membership comprises more than 119,000 members. Internists are specialists in the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses that primarily affect adults.

Mission and Goals

The American College of Physicians is dedicated to the advancement of internal medicine so that its members can provide the best quality care for their patients. A nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, its mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. Members are physicians in general internal medicine and related subspecialties including cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, hematology, rheumatology, neurology, pulmonary disease, oncology, infectious disease, allergy and immunology, and geriatrics.

There are seven classes of Membership. Medical Student Member, Associate, Member, Fellow, Master, and Honorary Fellow. Each reflects various stages of physicians’ careers. In addition, the American College of Physicians offers Affiliate membership for Fellow members of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Programs and Publications

The American College of Physicians sponsors continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians including the Annual Session, the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP), the Clinical Skills Program, and more than 50 postgraduate courses annually. The American College of Physicians also has a program called the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Project that develops clinical practice guidelines.

The College publishes journals and books. Its flagship journal is Annals of Internal Medicine, the most widely-cited medical specialty journal in the world; the other ACP journal is ACP Journal Club. ACP Observer, a monthly news magazine, reports on an array of issues affecting internists and provides coverage of College events.

Public Policy

In the area of public policy, the College’s activities include research and development of policy statements and government relations activities designed to shape decisions of the legislative and administrative sectors of the government.  More than 60 ACP position statements on a variety of policy issues guide College leaders as they testify before Congressional committees and serve on federal commissions and task forces.

American College of Physicians, 190 N. Independence Mall West

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania