Physicians Group Honors Jandl for Leadership
WILLIAMSTOWN - Dr. Robert C. Jandl, a local internist and president of Williamstown Medical Associates, has received the 2007 Chapter Leadership Award of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Physicians for his recent work to bolster the cause of primary-care physicians.Jandl led an effort to survey all of the primary-care physicians in Berkshire County to evaluate the status of primary care providers. The survey spurred additional action by the county's physicians, in the form of a joint statement to the community urging action to avert a crisis in the availability and quality of primary healthcare.
"Dr. Jandl galvanized the internists in Berkshire county to come together and speak out against what's wrong today with the health care system," said Dr. Barry Izenstein, governor of the Massachusetts Chapter of the ACP. "The chapter recognized Rob for his effort and continues to support him and his group in their quest for reform."
Jandl received the award from the ACP's Massachusetts Chapter. The award recognizes an internist in Massachusetts whose leadership has sought to enhance the practice of internal medicine and improve the lives of patients.
The survey was conducted during 2007 and was designed and compiled with the assistance of students and faculty at Williams College.
"We've tried to be out in front in Berkshire County, to elevate the conversation about how to preserve quality of primary care," said Jandl. "We have a relatively small and tight-knit community of physicians in the Berkshires, which made it possible to organize as a group and conduct this survey."
The findings, which were presented to the American College of Physicians last fall, have generated considerable interest both locally and elsewhere in the state. "It is my hope our survey data will help generate momentum towards real and substantial change in our primary care health system," said Jandl.
