By Bryan Dunn, MD, FACEP, President, Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP)
Jill Sutton, CMP, Executive Director, TCEP
In mid-April, during TCEP’s Annual Meeting, CONNECT, we learned that emergency medicine resident Rubeliz Bolivar Barrios, MD, had been detained by the Department of Homeland Security while traveling to an asylum hearing in California. News of her detention spread quickly, and both TCEP and ACEP immediately mobilized to support efforts surrounding her release. What followed was a powerful example of how collaboration between a state chapter and a national organization can amplify advocacy efforts, strengthen resources, and create meaningful impact during a critical moment.
From the outset, TCEP began coordinating outreach efforts at the state and local level. Chapter leadership connected with legislators to raise awareness of the situation and seek assistance, while also maintaining close communication with local members, residency leaders, and Dr. Bolivar Barrios’ colleagues to provide support and share updates as developments unfolded. TCEP also worked closely with the Texas Medical Association and other partners to identify additional avenues for advocacy and engagement.
At the same time, ACEP President L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, was attending CONNECT, allowing TCEP and ACEP to immediately come together in real time to coordinate strategy and action. Recognizing that the situation extended beyond the traditional scope of chapter advocacy, TCEP partnered closely with ACEP to leverage the national organization’s legal expertise, federal relationships, and broader advocacy infrastructure.
Throughout the process, TCEP leadership participated in frequent strategy discussions with ACEP’s advocacy team and Dr. Bolivar Barrios’ legal team to help coordinate messaging, identify opportunities for support, and ensure communication remained consistent across all parties involved. While much of this work happened quietly behind the scenes, the effort was constant, collaborative, and deeply intentional.
ACEP’s involvement proved invaluable in navigating conversations at the federal level. Their advocacy team worked tirelessly to engage every appropriate contact available, provide guidance throughout the process, and help elevate awareness of the situation nationally. The partnership demonstrated the unique strengths both organizations bring to the table — TCEP’s strong local relationships and on-the-ground coordination combined with ACEP’s national reach, legal resources, and federal advocacy expertise.
“We were pleased and relieved to learn of Dr. Bolivar Barrios’ release. TCEP and ACEP have been in close communication with her legal team and residency colleagues since she was first detained on April 11. We are grateful that she has been reunited with her family and will soon resume her dedicated service to her patients in South Texas,” said TCEP President Bryan Dunn, MD, FACEP.
Dr. Bolivar Barrios’ release is welcome news for the emergency medicine community, and this experience served as an important reminder of the value of collaboration between chapter and national leadership. By working together, TCEP and ACEP were able to respond quickly, coordinate effectively, and provide a stronger, more unified voice than either organization could have accomplished alone.
Our organizations will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as Dr. Bolivar Barrios’ case plays out.
