AMWA leaders gathered last month in Philadelphia to join the American College of Physicians (ACP) in celebrating the retirement of Dr. Darilyn Moyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of ACP and a longtime AMWA member.

For the past decade, Dr. Moyer has led ACP with exceptional vision, integrity, and compassion. During her tenure, she strengthened ACP’s operations, expanded educational programs and member services, advanced physician advocacy, championed health equity, and guided the nation’s largest physician organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. She also helped position ACP for continued growth and innovation while reinforcing its commitment to supporting internists and improving patient care. Under her leadership, ACP strengthened its commitment to advancing women in medicine by expanding leadership development, professional growth, and organizational initiatives that promote gender equity.

Throughout the evening, colleagues reflected not only on Dr. Moyer’s extraordinary accomplishments as a physician executive but also on the qualities that made her such a beloved leader. Colleagues described her remarkable ability to make every individual feel valued, whether through a thoughtful note, a token of appreciation, words of encouragement during a difficult time, or simply making herself available when someone needed guidance. Dr. Moyer demonstrated that leadership is measured not only by vision but also by kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others.

AMWA has been especially fortunate to benefit from Dr. Moyer’s steadfast support over the years. ACP has been a valued collaborator on numerous initiatives that advance women in medicine, physician leadership, and professional development. Dr. Moyer’s commitment to mentoring others, building partnerships, and championing women physicians has strengthened both organizations and reinforced the shared missions of ACP and AMWA.

The celebration was attended by many of ACP leaders, including several current and past AMWA presidents and board members.

A memorable tribute came from AMWA Past President Dr. Susan Hingle, who shared a beautiful original poem (see below) capturing Dr. Moyer’s wisdom, grace, generosity, and unwavering commitment to others. Her heartfelt words reflected the admiration shared by so many in attendance.

Recently retired himself, Dr. Wayne Bylsma (former ACP Chief Operating Officer), recounted the many years that he had worked closely with Dr. Moyer as ACP’s former Chief Operating Officer and encouraged Dr. Moyer to “take a serious look at retirement.”

A particularly touching moment was a tribute from Dr. Moyer’s oldest daughter, who offered a deeply personal reflection on her mother’s life and career, not just as an accomplished physician leader, but as a devoted mother whose compassion, humility, and generosity have shaped countless lives both inside and outside of medicine.

Dr. Moyer’s legacy to ACP is the Emerging Leaders Internal Medicine Meeting Travel Award, which will support clinicians and educators working in under resourced communities. physician leaders.

As Dr. Moyer begins this well-earned retirement, AMWA extends its deepest gratitude for her years of friendship, leadership, and service. We are grateful that she remains an active part of the AMWA family and look forward to continuing our relationship in the years ahead. We wish Dr. Moyer all the best as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.

For Darilyn (by Susan Hingle)

There are some people
who do not simply lead—
they move the horizon.

You were never just a title,
never just a role held neatly
between meetings and motions.
You were the quiet hand on a shoulder,
the steady voice in the storm,
the one who remembered
that behind every policy
is a person
trying to be whole.

You were a friend
in the spaces where friendship mattered most—
unannounced,
unmeasured,
unconditional.

An advocate
who did not ask if something was easy,
but if it was right.

An ally
who stood not beside,
but with—
shoulder to shoulder,
heart to heart.

A confidant
who could hold both the story
and the silence around it.

A force of good—
not loud, not showy,
but persistent as light
finding its way through even
the smallest cracks.

And yes—
the energizer bunny,
because somehow
your well never ran dry.
You kept going
when others needed rest,
kept believing
when others lost their way,
kept building
what had never quite existed before.

A visionary—
not because you saw the future,
but because you helped us believe
we could make one worth walking into.

And always,
always—
kind.
Compassionate.
Authentic.

The kind of leader
who reminds us
that leadership is not about standing above,
but about standing among.

The American College of Physicians
is different because of you.
Stronger.
Softer.
Braver.

And so is the world.

You are, in every sense,
irreplaceable—
not because no one will follow,
but because no one will ever be
you
in the way that mattered.

And now—
after all the years of holding,
guiding,
carrying—

may you finally set it down.

May rest find you
like an old friend
who has been waiting patiently
at your door.

May your days stretch open
with quiet joy,
with unhurried mornings,
with the kind of peace
you have given to so many others.

You have done more than enough.

Now—
you get to simply
be.

And that, too,
is a gift
to the world.