CONNECT 2025 Recap and Photos

Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP) hosted CONNECT 2025 & Hill Day, from April 13 - 15 at the Texas Medical Association building in Austin, TX. Nearly 230 emergency medicine professionals - including physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students - came together from across the state for a week focused on advancing emergency medicine through education, collaboration, and innovation.

CME Program Highlights
Led by leading voices in emergency medicine, the CME program delivered a diverse and engaging lineup of lectures and panel discussion. Participants explored critical topics such as:

The opioid crisis and overdose response strategies
Navigating the AI landscape in EM
Human trafficking identification and intervention
Gun violence and public health
Rapid-fire sessions on unionization, advocacy, alternative careers, and locum tenens work
Special guest appearance: Senator Donna Campbell, MD; joined the event to deliver a powerful message on the vital role of physician advocacy, encouraging member to stay engaged and make their voices heard in shaping healthcare policy.

Beyond earning valuable CME credits, participants met key licensure requirements mandated by the Texas Medical Board (TMB), making the week both informative and impactful.

Resident Program
Designed with the next generation of EM leaders in mind, the Resident and Fellow program offered tailored sessions alongside full access to the broader CME curriculum. This provided residents and fellows with a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge, connect with peers, and engage with topics relevant to their current and future roles in emergency medicine.

Medical Student Program
To foster early interest in the specialty, CONNECT featured a dynamic program for medical students. Highlights included interactive skills workshops, direct engagement with residency program directors, and practical insights into the EM career path. The program empowered students with knowledge, inspiration, and guidance as they prepare for their professional journeys.

Additional Highlights

Annual Research Forum – More than 30 abstract abstracts were presented by medical students, residents, fellows and researchers. Congratulations to this year's winners:

Medical Student Winner: Rochak Khatri (UTMB)
Resident Winner: Ryan Johnson, MD (UT Health Houston)

Awards Ceremony – TCEP honored members for their outstanding contributions:

Committee Leadership Award – Rob Mohr, Jr., MD
Outstanding Volunteer Award - Jeff Pinnow, MD, FACEP
Michael Wainscott Legacy Award – Alexander Toppo, MD
James Hayes Legacy Award – Theresa Tran, MD, FACEP
President’s Award – Jill Sutton, CMP

Capitol Visits - Before heading to the Capitol, TCEP members were briefed by TCEP’s lobbyist, Michael Grimes, and Legislative Advisory Council Chair, Theresa Tran, MD, FACEP. The session not only provided an overview of the current legislative landscape but also equipped attendees with strategies and talking points for engaging effectively with lawmakers. With several of TCEP’s legislative priorities under discussion in House Committees, the timing was ideal for advocacy. Members used the opportunity to educate lawmakers on strengthening the Prudent Layperson Standard and to voice concerns about scope of practice expansion, emphasizing its impact on patient safety and quality of care.
Exhibit Hall – Attendees explored an expansive exhibit hall filled with innovative tools, industry insights, and opportunities to enhance patient care.
Annual Business Meeting – Members received updates on organizational initiatives, participated in board elections, and voted on key bylaw amendments.

Overall, CONNECT proved to be a great success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation emergency professionals from across Texas. Thanks to everyone who attended CONNECT 2025!

To view all photos from CONNECT 2025 & Hill Day, click here. Note these photos may be downloaded and used for personal use only. Any commercial inquiries should be directed to the photographer.