ACOEP is a family, and we know that many of our members especially people of color – physicians, residents, students, and our staff – are hurting and angry over the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans. Our community is our strength and so we must grieve together, while resolving to work together to create a better future.

ACOEP stands united firmly against racism, unconscious bias, and unequal treatment in all of its horrific forms. We are vehemently antiracist. As emergency physicians dedicated to saving lives, the thought of the death of any human being as the result of any form of discrimination is abhorrent. As individuals we will focus on providing compassionate care to all who come through our doors to reduce discriminatory disparities in the emergency department. As an organization, ACOEP will take action by adding hours of education focused on preventing institutional racism, unconscious bias, and care disparities. Further, we will ensure the major drivers of these actions are Black physicians and people of color, and come together with many others who are passionate about fixing long-standing issues in our society that prevent us from fully leveraging our diversity to achieve success.

Robert E. Suter, DO, MHA, FACOEP-D
ACOEP President