EAST LANSING, Mich. — Mary Nettleman, Michigan State University Department of Medicine chairperson, has been elected to mastership in the American College of Physicians, an internal medicine organization made up of members, fellows and masters.

Masters are a small group of physicians who have been successful in medicine by achieving pre-eminence in internal medicine, holding positions of high honor and making a significant impact to the medical science and the art of medicine, said Ruth Hoppe, governor of the ACP Michigan chapter.

The honor makes Nettleman the 10th master in the state. Retired MSU physician Ray Murray also is a master in the ACP.

“This is a great honor,” Nettleman said. “It is a highlight of my career.”

Nettleman was elected to fellowship in 1993 for her dedication to high-quality care, service to the community and passion in research and leadership.

“This is a true feather in Dr. Nettleman’s cap,” Hoppe said. “She has contributed to her discipline as a leader and scholar and has ‘given back’ to those who follow her.”

The ACP works on patient advocacy issues, studies physician work environments and patterns, and recommends guidelines for physicians.

“The ACP is an excellent organization and I am proud to be a part of it,” Nettleman said. “It is a community of physicians that helps the faculty, medical students and residents at all schools.”

Prior to coming to MSU in 2003, Nettleman served as associate dean and division chief at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and chief medical officer for the VCU Primary Care Consortium. She received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University and her master’s degree in preventive medicine/epidemiology from the University of Iowa.

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