Joint Statement Regarding Osteopathic Physicians in Emergency Medicine
Published October 14, 2020 Click here to download this statement. The entire Emergency Medicine community, as represented by the undersigned organizations, is disheartened to see recent comments and national news stories that might confuse the public about the training and scope of practice of osteopathic physicians and emergency medicine specialists. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) make up a substantial segment of the fully licensed practicing physicians in the US. DOs complete the same years of medical school as MDs, earning state licenses to practice the full scope of medicine and [...]
Joint Statement Regarding Post-Graduate Training of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Joint Statement Regarding Post-Graduate Training of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Released September 3, 2020 The undersigned representatives of Emergency Medicine physicians are unified in their support of physician-led patient care and training. Although all who provide care in the Emergency Department setting must be appropriately trained, education of emergency medicine resident physicians and medical students must not be compromised or diluted. The terms “resident,” “residency,” “fellow,” and “fellowship” in a medical setting must be limited to postgraduate clinical training of medical school physician graduates within GME training programs. Physicians [...]
Interim Executive Director Adam Levy to Depart in September
ACOEP’s Interim Executive Director Adam Levy has announced his departure, effective September 4th, in order to take on a new role as the Executive Director of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. “I am incredibly thankful to Adam for his excellent work on behalf of the members of ACOEP,” said ACOEP President Robert Suter, DO, MHA, FACOEP-D. “His outstanding efforts and dedication to our organization during challenging times cannot be understated. We wish him only the best as he transitions to an opportunity that will allow him more time with his [...]
Voice Your Support for the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act
ACOEP stands in strong support of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, introduced in the Senate by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The bipartisan legislation seeks to provide mental health support to medical professionals and takes aim at barriers to mental healthcare for emergency medicine providers, including fear of termination, judgment, or even the loss of a medical license. This legislation is named in honor of Lorna Breen, an emergency physician tragically lost to suicide as a direct [...]
Message To New 2020 Faculty
Congratulations on your choice to contribute to our future by your choice to begin to serve as an emergency medicine faculty physician. Whether you are just finishing your own GME or completing a period of successful community practice, you will be rewarded by your residents who benefit from your wisdom, experience, and knowledge in clinical practice, education, and research. It is something more than you can get in any other practice setting. Given that the Spanish Flu pandemic predated GME, the start of this academic year will be like no [...]
A Note Regarding ACOEP’s 2020 Scientific Assembly
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, it is no secret more is being asked of emergency physicians than ever before. While much remains uncertain, ACOEP is dedicated to providing you life-saving education in the way that you want to experience it if at all possible. ACOEP’s Scientific Assembly will take place October 11-14, 2020. While we continue to monitor the situation in Las Vegas, the one thing we can say for sure about this year's conference is that it will include a dynamic virtual option with expanded opportunities for lecture [...]
Act Now! Michigan Out-of-Network Reimbursement Legislation
Today, ACOEP learned through EDPMA that the Michigan House Committee on Ways and Means will consider out-of-network legislation (HB 4459) that bans balance billing and requires reimbursement at 125% of Medicare. We urge our Michigan-based members to contact the committee members listed below, and ask them to OPPOSE the legislation, as this legislation would lead to a significant decrease in reimbursement for emergency care, likely reducing the number of physicians on the emergency department floor and increasing wait times. Click here for more information and to view contact information: The [...]
ACOEP Calls for an End to Emergency Ultrasound Badges
ACOEP is proud to cosign a letter of support for emergency physicians to present to hospital credentialers in order to waive the need for added short courses or certifications in the use of emergency ultrasound. The letter from the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM), is available to physicians participating in the ABEM continuing certification process or the AOBEM Osteopathic Continuous Certification Program. In addition to ACOEP, ABEM, and AOBEM, the letter is also supported by American Academy of Emergency Medicine, [...]
Tell Congress to Protect Emergency Medicine Professionals
As an emergency physician you work tirelessly to protect your communities, often times putting your life on the line, most notably during this ongoing pandemic. It is critical that you are protected as you go above and beyond the call of duty. As such, ACOEP supports the “Coronavirus Provider Protection Act,” bipartisan legislation which provides liability protection against unwarranted legal action for care provided while responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Much of this care was provided with limited resources in extraordinary circumstances. This Bill, H.R. 7059, is bipartisan legislation introduced [...]
Statement from ACOEP President Robert E. Suter, DO, MHA, FACOEP-D
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 [...]