THE ON-DECK CIRCLE
Tim Cheslock, DO, FACOEP
It has been a while since I have posted an article for The Pulse. I am humbled and honored to be writing to you all in this column. This would not have been possible without you. I thank you for your support in my re-election to the Board of Directors and I thank the Board for their vote of confidence in voting me to be President Elect of our College. This is a full circle moment for me. I have been a member for many years since my days in medical school. My involvement with the college started like many of yours, at a Scientific Assembly. I can still clearly remember the student chapter events and talks from the then Board Leadership about becoming involved and taking part in all the ACOEP has to offer. As I sat and looked around, it was clear that this college was special. There were so many other students, residents and physicians gathered for the meeting that it was hard to remember everyone, but there was a sense of family and inclusiveness that enveloped me quickly and made me feel a true part of the organization. I returned many times after that first meeting, seeking out more. I attended the student and resident chapter events, became involved in the leadership of the student and resident chapter, all the while becoming more a recognizable face in our college. I sought out mentors and their sage advice. I have met many of you over the years in person at meetings and other events. Sometimes through email connections and over the last year and a half zoom meetings have been our primary means of socialization. Through it all, your encouragement, support and friendship has brought me along my leadership path in our organization. I am thankful for all of you and resolve to continue to be a representative face of our college that will carry the banner proudly forward.
One of my main duties this year is to work with our President, Dr. Beirne to advance our college to the next level. In his opening address, he mentions TEAM. Together Everyone Achieves More. It is my hope that our Team at ACOEP will be successful in this goal. As we continue to deal with the new normal emerging from the pandemic there is much for us to do. We look forward to welcoming you all back to our live meetings for Spring Seminar in Ft. Lauderdale. We look forward to seeing our vibrant organization become active once again in all the college has to offer. Our committees will be taking on new and exciting tasks, our membership will grow, and we will once again be able to truly enjoy the company of each other and the common bond that makes this organization so resilient and strong!
The last 18 months has changed us all in some way. Initially in the fear of the unknown we stood always ready to meet the challenge. Then the true urgency of the situation and the horrible toll on human life that we experienced as EM physicians became painfully evident. The feelings of helplessness that even despite our best efforts, everything we did was often not enough. The devastation of this pandemic I can say has touched us all. We protected ourselves the best we could, we talked to each other, we learned together how to treat and survive this disease. We led our team, our nurses and our departments. We celebrated our victories and mourned our losses. Through it all we were there for each other and that has made us stronger in the end. We have a new perspective on our lives, our careers and our choices. I am thankful for all of you during this pandemic and am excited to continue the journey with you every day, caring for our patients and for each other.