ECPS Chair's Update: Recognition, Nominations, and a Final Word

Laurel Barr, MD, FACEP

This is my final chair’s message. Our Annual Meeting at Scientific Assembly will conclude my year and Dr. Sophia Spondafore will assume her role as ECPS Chair. She will do a phenomenal job advocating for your interests.

With a new year comes new opportunities. Here at ECPS there are many ways to get involved. Join us at the our Annual Meeting, where we will talk with Dr. Regina Martinez and hear her inspiring story about how, despite all odds, she became Mexico’s first female cross-country skier to compete in the Olympic Winter games.

Speaking of amazing things, I want to recognize you this year for the amazing things you’ve done. Got a promotion? Became a partner or a professor? Started a program? Joined a committee? Had a kid? Started a side gig or a podcast? Climbed a mountain and want people to hear about it? Just fill out this form. Tell us what you did and send us a head shot, and we’ll recognize you at our annual meeting. Self-promotion never hurt.

And we'll be honoring this year's Golden Blade Award winners at our Annual Meeting — the highest honor ECPS bestows, and a chance to recognize colleagues doing genuinely remarkable work. Come help us celebrate them. If you are thinking of getting involved, join the ECPS Advocacy Committee and contribute to ECPS priorities. Or join the ECPS Communications Committee and get your story out there. Submit your interest here. Whatever challenge you are facing, most likely hundreds or thousands of physicians are going through the same thing and would like to hear your perspective.

Interested in telling ACEP how you think it should be run? Comment on a resolution! Every year before Scientific Assembly, ACEP Council meets to discuss the priorities of the College. But you don’t have to be a councilor or take time to discuss in person, any ACEP member can comment online from the comfort of your own home or at 3 am on a night shift. This year there are 44 resolutions we will debate. Everything from climate resilience and sustainability in health care to radiology turnaround times. Online comments are weighed the same as in person, so if you’re interested, go to https://www.acep.org/how-we-serve/council/ and tell ACEP what you think of proposed policies. If you feel strongly about something comment. And feel free to contact ECPS if you find something you think should be our priority. Comments close September 21^st.

As I prepare for our Annual Meeting at Scientific Assembly and ACEP Council next month, I can’t help but reflect on the change I’ve experienced in the last year. Many battles fought. Some won, some lost, some still raging. Two steps forward, one step back. New opportunities, new challenges, new practice environments. Some doors closing, but always a window open if you look hard enough or try to feel the breeze it provides.

I’ve learned a lot about realities, priorities, and the sheer will required to make meaningful change. The most important things I’ve done I would never have been able to do alone. I’ve met wonderful people and advocates who stood beside me along the way. I’ve made friends through shared interests, priorities, and trauma bonding, which I think is the only way I make friends anymore. Whatever happened to the days when you chose your friends by what music they liked?