Letter from the Chair-Elect

Greetings all! I hope the warm[er] weather is treating everyone well. I know the northwest was still getting snow late in the season while here in the southeast it was quite stifling early on in the warmer months. We hit >100F in mid-May, which was sooner than expected. So far, the summer has been filled with busy shifts in the Emergency Department but also a bit of travel and life fuel.

I was in Bonaire earlier this month diving while teaching a bit of dive medicine. This was my first-time shore diving which I thought was awesome, but takes a bit more responsibility for the diver to ensure you are doing everything you need to do to stay safe. We had to abort one dive due to a malfunctioning BCD, which was a great reminder to make good decisions to stay safe even if it means stopping the activity early. This is something we should all remember whether we are diving, hiking, climbing, biking, caving, or any other adventure.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy the summer months! Don’t forget to stay well-hydrated, apply (and reapply) sunscreen frequently and make safe, smart decisions while on your many adventures. I look forward to seeing everyone in Denver in October!

Taylor Haston, DO, FACEP, MPH, MBS, DiMM