ACEP International Section Spotlight: How to Build a Global Career in Emergency Medicine

In this ACEP Young Physician Section spotlight, Dr. Laurel Barr sits down with Dr. Sean Kivlehan to unpack how early‑career physicians can plug into ACEP’s International Section—through ambassador roles, global networks, and practical steps you can take this year to expand your impact beyond your home ED.

Why think international—especially early in your career?

Global emergency medicine isn’t a late‑career pivot; it’s a pathway you can start now. ACEP’s International Section exists to connect physicians who care about emergency systems worldwide and to promote the specialty’s development across borders.

What the International Section Does

• Community & networking: A forum to meet, share knowledge, and support EM’s growth globally.
• Programs & resources: Country‑level insights, society links, and practical materials to help you engage responsibly.

Ambassador Pathways

The ACEP International Ambassador Program pairs U.S. volunteers with partner countries to exchange knowledge, support local EM leaders, and collaborate on education and systems development—structured ways to contribute without overstepping.

Ambassador Program (70+ countries)

One of the section’s most impactful efforts is the Ambassador Program, which pairs:

• A U.S.-based ACEP member with interest and/or experience in a specific country, and
• An emergency physician from that country who serves as an ambassador to the U.S.

These partnerships support collaboration on education, policy, academic projects, and system development. Dr. Kivlehan described it as a “web” of communication and a resource that not only supports ACEP initiatives, but is also recognized externally—sometimes even serving as a network organizations can consult when seeking emergency medicine expertise in specific countries.

Global Emergency Medicine Student Leadership Program (GEMSLP)

To address limited access to global EM mentorship—especially for learners without global EM fellowships or faculty at their institutions—the section created GEMSLP:

• 30 students per year (primarily medical students; sometimes junior residents)
• Virtual format, with mentoring, pathway discussions, and a journal club component
• Designed to create an accessible entry point and build a future pipeline of global EM leaders

Global Village at Scientific Assembly

The Global Village is a dedicated space in the exhibit hall at the ACEP Scientific Assembly featuring presentations from emergency physicians and leaders from around the world, plus structured networking and informal opportunities to connect.

Dr. Kivlehan encouraged attendees to visit the Global Village to learn how emergency medicine is practiced in different countries and to meet international colleagues in a welcoming, high-energy environment.

Multilingual Education and International Collaboration

The section supports international engagement through:

• Collaboration with national emergency medicine societies worldwide
• Conference participation and cross-attendance (ACEP attending other national meetings and vice versa)
• Support for international journals, including involvement in the launch of a new Spanish-language Latin American emergency medicine journal
• A monthly Spanish-language webinar, with plans to expand multilingual programming further

FACEP International Designation

A newer initiative is FACEP International, created to recognize international ACEP members who contribute to emergency care and the work of the College, even if they:

• Are not ABEM certified, and/or
• Did not complete U.S.-based residency training
• This designation is intended as an international parallel to the traditional FACEP fellowship recognition.

Collaboration Across ACEP and with EMRA

Because global emergency medicine touches every part of emergency care (ultrasound, critical care, administration, policy, etc.), the section aims to partner with other ACEP sections and committees to support members who want to take their specialty expertise abroad.

Dr. Kivlehan also emphasized close collaboration with:

• The ACEP International Committee (a smaller, appointed group that works closely with the section and helps provide direct support and guidance to the Board), and
• EMRA, as a key pipeline for future global EM leadership and engagement.

How to Get Involved

Dr. Kivlehan emphasized that the easiest way to start is simply showing up.

• Join the monthly section meeting
  • Meetings are held monthly on Mondays, alternating morning/evening times to accommodate schedules.
  • Meeting details and the Zoom link are posted on the International Section webpage.
• Attend major events
  • Visit the Global Village in the exhibit hall at Scientific Assembly
  • Attend the International Summit the day before the conference
  • Join the Mid-Year Ambassador Conference (virtual, open to all)
• Reach out directly
  • If you’re unsure where to begin—or want connections, mentorship, or opportunities—the section welcomes members reaching out directly to leadership or through section contact channels.

Favorite International Conference Recommendation

If choosing one international emergency medicine conference, Dr. Kivlehan’s top recommendation was the African Conference on Emergency Medicine, hosted by the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM). He noted it moves around the continent and highlighted an upcoming meeting planned for Tanzania

Visit the International Section to learn more and get involved.