EMphasis Newsletter - October 2024

OCTOBER 2024

President's Message

The last place I thought I’d find myself holding back tears during a presentation was in the Boston Convention Center surrounded largely by people I didn’t know, and a handful I had just met. It was October 2015, and I had recently begun my year as a TCEP leadership and advocacy fellow (TLAF) and was attending my first ACEP Council meeting. Knowing next-to-nothing about what would unfold in the jam-packed 2-day business meeting, I was completely taken off guard when the room of nearly four hundred people united in silence and stillness as the “In Memoriam” presentation began. Names and faces of physicians who had served their patients, colleagues, and our specialty who had died in the past year since the Council had last convened were shown in succession, followed by the reading and presentation of framed resolutions to their families and state chapters. I must pause here to say that I am unable to adequately describe the emotions that come with such a presentation and urge you to read the resolutions submitted for our own Texas Councilor Dr. Juan Fitz who died from COVID November 3, 2020, and most recently for TCEP member Dr. Veronica Greer who passed May 26, 2024. READ MORE

Doug Jeffrey, MD, FACEP
TCEP President

TCEP Board in Action

Last week, the TCEP Board of Directors and TLAF fellows gathered in Corpus Christi for a productive meeting centered on legislative strategy, membership engagement, upcoming programs, and other key initiatives. We also hosted a lively Networking Reception for our Corpus Christi members and those from surrounding areas. With over 40 attendees, it was a fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and highlight the numerous benefits TCEP offers its members.

Call for Abstracts Coming Soon!

The Call for Abstracts for TCEP's 2025 Annual Research Forum opens on November 12. Get ready to showcase your research and demonstrate your dedication to advancing medical knowledge by participating in the 2025 competition. Start preparing now!

2024 ACEP Council Meeting Recap

This year’s annual ACEP council meeting was held in Las Vegas on September 27-28, 2024. The council meeting always meets for two days before the ACEP annual meeting (formerly called Scientific Assembly). This year there were 422 councilors from all state chapters, sections of ACEP, EMRA (Emergency Medicine Residents Association), SAEM (Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, and CORD (Council of Residency Directors). Texas brings 21 of the councilors.

We had 71 resolutions this year to discuss and vote on, but a few of the resolutions were memorial resolutions, which included this year a memorial resolution for Dr. Veronica Greer of El Paso. READ MORE

Diana Fite, MD, FACEP
Texas Council Chair

Alison Haddock, MD, FACEP
ACEP President

Heidi Knowles, MD, FACEP
ACEP Board of Directors

Member News

Haddock Begins Term as ACEP President

Alison J. Haddock, MD, FACEP, TCEP member, was announced as the new president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) during the 2024 Council Meeting. In her speech, Dr. Haddock emphasized the importance of physician autonomy, collaboration with ACEP chapters, and innovation in emergency medicine. She is committed to advocating transparency, improved working conditions, and empowering physicians to regain control over their careers and patient care. Dr. Haddock currently serves as regional dean at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and has held numerous leadership roles within ACEP, including positions on its Board of Directors and Committees. In addition, Dr. Haddock is a former TCEP Board of Director.

Knowles Re-Elected to ACEP Board of Directors

Texas' own Heidi Knowles, MD, FACEP was re-elected to the ACEP Board of Directors for a second term during last month's 2024 Council Meeting. Dr. Knowles serves as Chief of Operations and Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. She is also an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine. Additionally, she is a staff emergency physician at Texas Health Southlake and EMS Medical Director at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens. Dr. Knowles represents ACEP on the Federation of State Medical Boards and is a former President of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP).

Legislative Update

Interim Hearings Continue
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Texas Senate and House committees are actively meeting to identify key policy areas that will require attention. In healthcare, issues that have been topics of discussion include scope of practice and access to care, the role of AI in healthcare, and non-compete agreements. Through public hearings, expert testimony, and stakeholder input, these committees will shape the legislative agenda for 2025, laying the foundation for future policy decisions.

Join us! TCEP Advocacy 101 Workshop

Ready to get involved in the legislative process but unsure where to start? Join us on Thursday, December 4, for a Virtual Advocacy 101 Workshop to explore how your advocacy can shape healthcare policy. You'll learn how bills become law, why advocacy is essential, and practical ways to get involved. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop will provide the tools to make a meaningful difference in emergency medicine and the future of healthcare.

LEARN MORE

TCEP continues to actively collaborate with the Texas Alliance for Patient Access (TAPA) coalition to enhance healthcare access by advocating for the implementation and preservation of impactful medical lawsuit reforms.

For the latest updates on TAPA's efforts on behalf of its members, click here to read their most recent newsletter.

Emergency medicine claims typically involve diagnostic errors. In this case study, a patient was improperly triaged. When a claim was filed, TMLT quickly went to work and won a clear, decisive victory at trial. READ CASE STUDY

Medical Student Committee News

Whether you have recently submitted applications, are studying for step, began clinicals, or took your first exams, we hope you realize how much you have accomplished to get where you are. We (Kevin and Katherine) have just submitted our residency applications and we, like many fourth-year medical students, expected to feel a great sense of relief and accomplishment. In reality, we felt the briefest moment of relief, and immediately began looking towards the next stressful step of the process. This is a familiar pattern to many medical students, and unfortunately, it won’t change unless you do! We are clearly still learning this, but we encourage you to take the time to stop, breathe, and be proud of yourself, no matter what is coming next. Let’s allow ourselves to reflect on those positive moments. We are so proud of you, and you should be too! READ MORE

ACEP VOTES: Use ACEP's Voter Resource to
Prepare for the 2024 Elections!

Are you registered to vote at your current address? Have you confirmed your current polling location and voting requirements in your state? ACEP can help - enter your address information for voter resources and to see the list of candidates in your area.