Origin Story

Some people want it to happen.
Some wish it would happen.
Others make it happen.

ACEP21 in Boston was a long-awaited chance to meet in person. COVID seemed to be getting under control. We had a lot of catching up to do. And the Nor’easter storm that arrived simultaneously meant plenty of time indoors to talk. Suddenly, after what seemed to be too short a time, the Conference was ending.

Once again, I was struck by how great it felt to be with “my tribe.” Smart, funny, dedicated, multi-talented ER docs who were continually engaged in medicine with multiple outside interests.

I remembered back to my first ACEP Scientific Assembly in 1978, coming down from a Rural General Practice in British Columbia. I realized that there were a whole group of physicians who had decided that medicine was just part of their lives: rock climbing, playing the harp, travelling, celebrating and much more. But at the core, loving the work they did. And I wanted to be part of it. An EM Residency at McGill, migration to LA, and putting down roots followed.

Now, many years later, catching up with old friends that I had known for decades, I wondered how to keep the camaraderie going between meetings.

When EM started, there were predictions that most of us would last only 10 maybe 15 years in the ER. And here it was after practicing over 30 years myself and still energized and so were my friends. What had I learned? What had they learned? Lots of life experiences, work experiences, political experiences.

Could these two ideas be linked?

A fortuitous meet up with Pam Bensen followed.

There are no coincidences. Pam and I resolved to form a Section primarily for the retired or nearly retired where we could stay in touch with other EPs and hopefully pass on some of the knowledge so many of us had acquired about EM.

Our emails went back and forth over the winter as I queried ACEP about how to form a Section. I drafted documents that were needed to justify the Section and then convergent evolution.

Stephen Anderson had just given a lecture on life after the ER and had the same idea. He reached out and we realized we had complimentary skill sets and were both energized by the idea.

We worked together to draft a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement and work with the College to start up the Section.

As we are on the eve of transitioning this Member Interest Group into a Section, I remain excited and humbled by the fact that so many of the long-term members of ACEP are also on board and volunteering to help.

Our specialty of Emergency Medicine is characterized by selfless dedication and the commitment to treat everyone from every strata of society to the best of their knowledge and ability.

It is no accident that EPs have risen to positions of leadership in every aspect of medicine since our open minds, knowledge of the system, and superb negotiation skills are in high demand now as never before.

How can we tap into those areas of expertise? This is what we are hoping to do.

Steve and I meet weekly to explore the ramifications of this future Section and how to harness the incredible talent and experiences that you have. To better the College, State Chapters, local communities and other ACEP members at whatever stage of their career.

Thank you for your contributions, past and future.

Another journey begins. Please join me.

Fred Dennis, MD, MBA, FACEP
Section Vice-Chair