President's Message

February 2023

Sterling Overstreet, MD, FACEP
TCEP President

Since the last time I wrote you, the 88th Legislative Session has convened, and numerous bills have been filed. Imperium PA and TCEP continue to be actively engaged at the Capitol to ensure our patients and our practice are protected.

Meanwhile in the Texas’ courts we have learned of a threat to our practice. Dunnick v. Marsillo is a case in which the plaintiff alleges willful and wanton negligence by the physician for appropriately adhering to an institutional snake bite protocol and treating a patient when signs of envenomation manifested. This suit was initially dismissed in a summary judgement. However, the case was subsequently appealed, and the court determined there was reason to believe the physician showed willful and wanton negligence in not immediately deviating from institutional protocol to administer antivenom based on outside testimony.

Upon learning of this case, TCEP retained counsel to provide an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of Texas and invited ACEP to join as a cosignatory. Additionally, we worked with partner organizations including TAPA and the TMA who subsequently submitted their own brief. Defending willful and wanton standard is crucial to protecting the practice of emergency medicine in Texas.

The TCEP Leadership and Advocacy Council has now been established and all members appointed. The group is comprised of representatives from around the state with experts on different legislative and legal matters. I want to thank the members of this group for agreeing to serve in this important role.

Our Executive Director, Beth Brooks, CAE has announced her plan to retire in the summer of this year. Beth has spent the last five years continuously improving our organization and will be leaving the organization in a much better position due to her diligent efforts. I cannot thank her enough for the exceptional work she has done. I have nominated a search committee and we will be working to find a new Executive Director this spring. Beth has graciously offered to serve in this effort as well. Whoever we find will have big shoes to fill and I certainly wish Beth the best in her future endeavors.

This April 16-18, we will once again convene in Austin, Texas for TCEP Connect 2023 and I look forward to seeing you all there. We have added a Legislative Day to our programming – plan to join us as we head to the Capitol to speak with legislators. Please take a moment to register now.