My first thought is to express my sincere gratitude to our Immediate Past President, Board of Directors, and Executive Director with whom I’ve had the privilege of serving this past year and in years prior. The amount of thought, effort, and heart they each put into their responsibilities is truly impressive as well as humbling. Earlier this month, we held our CONNECT 2026 Annual Meeting in Rockwall. The venue was outstanding, and the level of participation was fantastic! We had 125 Medical Students, 68 Residents/Fellows, and a similar number of Attending Physicians participating in didactics, skills labs, CME, exciting competitions, and a Research Forum feature 60 posters. The meeting also brought to our attention two issues that require our ongoing attention. During the conference, we learned of the detention of Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, a first-year EM Resident in McAllen. ACEP President Dr. Tony Cirillo was in attendance, and we immediately collaborated with him and national ACEP to post public statements in her support, demanding her release. READ MORE
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Bryan Dunn, MD, FACEP
TCEP President
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Supporting a Member and Protecting Patient Access in South Texas
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During TCEP’s CONNECT Annual Meeting, the organization learned that one of its emergency medicine resident members, Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar Barrios, MD, had been detained by U.S. immigration authorities.
Dr. Bolivar Barrios, originally from Venezuela, has lived in the United States for approximately a decade. She holds a valid work permit, has a pending asylum application, and relocated to McAllen, Texas in 2025 to begin her emergency medicine residency at South Texas Health System—serving a region with well-documented physician workforce shortages.
She was detained on April 10, 2026, while traveling to attend a scheduled asylum interview and remains in immigration custody while her case is pending.
Since learning of her detention, TCEP has taken immediate steps to support both Dr. Bolivar Barrios and the patients she serves. Leadership has coordinated with national partners, including the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA), to align outreach efforts and elevate awareness of the situation.
TCEP has also engaged with state and federal offices to ensure awareness of the case and its potential impact on access to emergency care in the Rio Grande Valley, a region that relies heavily on physicians in training and faces ongoing workforce shortages.
TCEP will continue to monitor developments and engage where appropriate. Members who wish to stay informed or support ongoing efforts are encouraged to contact their congressional offices.
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Meet your 2026-27 Board of Directors
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During the Annual Business Meeting at CONNECT 2026, elections were held for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors and Councillors. Dr. Bryan Dunn was installed as President of TCEP, joined by the following executive officers:
- President - Bryan Dunn, MD, FACEP
- President Elect - Marcus Sims, II, DO, FACEP
- Treasurer - Angela Cornelius, MD, FACEP, FAEMS
- Secretary - Ben Leeson, MD, FACEP
- Immediate Past President - AJ Kirk, MD, FACEP
Drs. Kimberly Leeson, Jeff Pinnow, and Kristopher Sutherly were elected as Directors. Dr. Michael Rozum will serve as the Young Physician Director, Dr. Abbey Pastorelle was elected as the Resident Director, and Jemma Killingworth was elected Medical Student Representative. To view the full Board, click here.
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More than 260 emergency medicine professionals - physicians, residents, fellows, and medical students - from across Texas gathered in Rockwall on April 10 - 11 for CONNECT 2026. The meeting featured a dynamic mix of expert-led lectures addressing both clinical and practice challenges, hands-on skills workshops, and programming designed to advance emergency medicine through education, collaboration, and innovation. Explore the full conference recap and view photos from this year's meeting.
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During CONNECT, an awards ceremony honored the exceptional contributions of TCEP members. Recipients included:
Michael Wainscott Legacy Award – Caitlyn Minutella, MD, UTHealth Houston
James Hayes Legacy Award – Robert Simonson, DO, FACEP
President’s Award – Helen Greenberg
Annual Research Forum Winners
The ceremony also included recognition of outgoing board members and the Outstanding Medical Students in Emergency Medicine.
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Texas legislative leaders have released interm charges for both the House and Senate, outlining priority issues for committees to study ahead of the 90th Legislative Session in January 2027. Several charges across both chambers focus on healthcare delivery, cost drivers, and regulatory issues impacting physicians and patient access. In the senate, the Health and Human Services Committee has already begun its interim work, holding its first hearing focused on fraud, waste, and abuse within Medicaid and other public programs. READ MORE.
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Call for Volunteers!Deadline To Apply - April 30
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Help shape the future of emergency medicine in Texas by volunteering for one of TCEP’s committees. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to lend your voice to important conversations, support your fellow emergency physicians, and contribute to meaningful progress in the field. It’s a chance to share your expertise, expand your professional network, and enhance your CV – all while making a real impact within our state. Submit your committee interest form by April 30, 2026 and get involved today! READ MORE
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Match Day 2026: EM Reaches All-Time High in Positions Filled
The rebound from the pandemic era continues with 3,058 positions filled. More people have matched into emergency medicine than ever before. READ MORE
Why Baylor Scott & White opted for an access redesign
(Beckers Healthcare, 3/2/26) Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest nonprofit health system in Texas, has been undergoing a consumer-focused transformation aimed at expanding access. After hearing concerns from consumers who had and had not used the system about access gaps, it moved to offer more options — including digital and virtual care, as well as additional physical locations for urgent and emergent needs. READ MORE
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Save money and support ACEP/TCEP by paying your dues via ACH (electronic check)! This new option helps reduce credit card fees, allowing more funds to go toward advocacy and member benefits. New and renewing members can choose ACH during the application process, and current members on auto-renew or installments can update their payment method anytime in the "Payment Methods" section of My Account.
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Join Concord, a physician-owned and operated organization
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Concord Medical Group is a physician-owned and operated ER Management Organization with an established network of hospital partners throughout Texas. Dr. Kyle Sheets founded Concord in 2001 to meet the needs of emergency departments and we are actively hiring qualified providers to join our team! LEARN MORE
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Unlock your next career opportunity with our job listings!
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Take the next step in your career with opportunities designed around you. TCEP's Career Center connects you with roles that match your experience, goals, and ambitions—whether you're advancing your path or making a bold move in a new direction. Your future starts here—explore what’s possible today.
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April 30, 2026
Application deadline - TCEP's Leadership and Advocacy Fellowship (TLAF)
More info
April 30, 2026
Deadline to apply for TCEP Committees
More info
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© Texas College of Emergency Physicians
PO Box 26164; Austin, TX 78755
Phone: (512) 306-0605
[email protected]
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