Pomona's Western University faculty member recognized by national physicians' organization

A member of Western University of Health Sciences faculty has been elected a fellow of the American College of Physicians,  the university announced recently.

Dr. Andrew Pumerantz was elected a fellow and will participated in a convocation ceremony in Toronto in April 2010.

The American College of Physicians is a national organization for doctors specialized in the area of internal medicine. Physicians specializing in this area focus on the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses in adults, according to the statement from the university.

Physician who are fellows in the organization have shown "they have a certain commitment to excellence in internal medicine, and it demonstrates their accomplishments," said James Ott, senior vice president of the organization. "When the public sees the initials FACP after the physicians's name, they should recognize this is someone who is committed to being a better doctor."

For the university, having a member of the faculty with such a recognition adds to the institution's prestige in the region's medical professional community, said Dr. Clinton Adams, dean of the University's College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.

Pumerantz is an associate professor at the university in addition to being chairman of the department of internal medicine and chief of the division of infectious disease.