EMphasis Newsletter

June 2026

President's Message

School's out and Summer is in full swing.  I hope you're each able to make some time to get away and decompress!  While we have all been hard at work, TCEP has been active on your behalf the past couple of months.  In April, ACEP held its annual Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.  Texas was well-represented with 27 TCEP members in attendance, including 6 first-time attendees. It's a great opportunity to walk the halls of Congress and interact with our legislators and their staff.  Mark your calendar for next year, May 10-12, 2027. We were relieved when Dr. Rubilez "Bibi" Bolivar Barrios was released from ICE detention on May 13, after being detained for 32 days.  ACEP, TCEP, and EMRA remained in close contact with her family and legal team throughout the process.  We had the privilege of sharing her story with the other state ACEP chapters the following week.  She has resumed work and conducted a medical resuscitation on her first day back.READ MORE

Bryan Dunn, MD, FACEP
TCEP President

Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar Barrios (left) shares an emotional reunion with her mother upon returning home.

Behind the Work to Get Dr. Bolivar Home

In mid-April, during TCEP’s Annual Meeting, CONNECT, we learned that emergency medicine resident Rubeliz Bolivar Barrios, MD, had been detained by the Department of Homeland Security while traveling to an asylum hearing in California. News of her detention spread quickly, and both TCEP and ACEP immediately mobilized to support efforts surrounding her release. What followed was a powerful example of how collaboration between a state chapter and a national organization can amplify advocacy efforts, strengthen resources, and create meaningful impact during a critical moment. READ MORE

TCEP Welcomes 2026-2027 TLAF Class

TCEP is thrilled to introduce the 2026-2027 TCEP Leadership and Advocacy Fellows (TLAF) class. This year's esteemed fellows are Kimberly Adu-Gyamfi, MD; Steven Arze, MD, FACEP; Niva Bamback, DO; Srinivas Banala, MD; Tomas Hernandez, MD; Harold Jimenez, MD, FACEP; Aaron Oates, MD; and Austin, Zimmerman, DO.

Guided by Drs. Chinwe Anyanwu and Ola Elechi, the TLAF class will embark on an enriching journey to deepen their understanding of organized medicine and leadership. They will hone their advocacy skills for emergency medicine at both local and national levels and advance their careers through opportunities such as serving as Alternate Councillors at ACEP's 2026 Council, participating as ex-officio members of TCEP's Board of Directors, engaging in committee work, and more. READ MORE

Texas Medical Board Updates

New Forensic Evidence Collection Training Requirement for Emergency Physicians
House Bill (HB) 47, which took effect September 1, 2025, requires emergency physicians who perform sexual assault forensic examinations in emergency departments to complete two hours of basic forensic evidence collection training. On June 2, 2026, HHSC issued guidance outlining related requirements for emergency facilities and hospitals. To help members comply, TCEP has convened a physician-led task force to develop a two-hour CME course that will meet the new training requirement. READ MORE
New Mandatory Licensure Requirements
If you are renewing your Texas medical license this year, there are two (2) new requirements that must be completed BEFORE you can begin the renewal process with the Texas Medical Board.
1. Complete The Life of the Mother Act (SB 31) CE course. Texas abortion law now requires emergency physicians to complete a one-time, mandatory CE course on pregnancy-related medical emergencies. The course is FREE and available MyTMB.
2. Upload Proof of US Citizenship or Lawful Presence.Per federal requirements under 8 U.S.C. § 1621, physicians must upload proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence before accessing online license renewal. Please review the TMB’s Verification of Lawful Presence and Authority to Work instructions for additional details. READ MORE
CE Broker Support as New CME Requirements Take Effect
Starting Sept. 1, 2026, physicians seeking license renewals with TMB will need to have an active CE Broker account and ensure all completed CME is reported in CE Broker's portal to fulfill a new state mandate (SB 912). Prior to Sept. 1, using CE Broker is only required for physicians selected for an audit. To help physicians navigate the transition, the TMB and CE Broker's parent company, Propelus, hosted an educational webinar on May 13 and are planning an additional training session on July 22. Registration for the July webinar is expected to be available soon on the TMB Continuing Education Tracking page, which also includes updates, resources, and a newly developed Physician CME Hours Requirement Chart. READ MORE

Riviello Receives Pamela P. Bensen Trailblazer Award

TCEP is excited to announce that Ralph Riviello, MD, MPH, FACEP has been selected as the 2026 Pamela P. Bensen Trailblazer Award Recipient.

Dr. Riviello has been a pioneering force in advancing forensic emergency medicine, violence prevention, and trauma-informed care. As one of the founders of the forensic medicine section at UT Health San Antonio, he helped establish forensic medicine as a vital component of emergency care and has played a key role in education physicians on the care of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors through ACEP publications and resources. His service on national committees and contribution to ACEP educational initiatives have elevated violence prevention and public health priorities, while his advocacy has increased awareness of critical issues such as non-fatal strangulation. Through his vision, persistence, and unwavering commitment to vulnerable patients, Dr. Riviello has expanded the role of emergency physicians as both caregivers and advocates, helping bring these important issues to the attention of policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the broader medical community.

Ralph Riviello, MD, MPH, FACEP

LAC 2026 Recap

More than 25 emergency physicians from across Texas met in Washington D.C. for ACEP's 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Conference (LAC). During the conference, participants engaged in discussions with Representatives, Senators, and their healthcare aides, seeking support for addressing critical issues such as Boarding/Crowding, Protecting the Emergency Medicine Workforce, and Preserving Medicaid and Medicare. In addition, TCEP's own Hilary Fairbrother, MD, FACEP received ACEP's 911 Network Member of the Year award for her grassroots advocacy work and national work on an onsite physician in every ED.READ MORE

Legislative Update

Several House committees met last week to examine issues that will likely shape healthcare policy discussions ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The House Public Health Committee focused on telehealth, rural healthcare programs, EMS funding, and emerging healthcare technologies; the House Insurance Committee examined healthcare affordability and insurance mandates; and the Select Committee on Governmental Oversight discussed governmental immunity and the Texas Tort Claims Act. Together, the hearings provided an early look at the healthcare issues lawmakers appear most interested in addressing over the interim. READ MORE

Clarification Regarding Physician Delegation Authority

On January 6, 2025, HHSC adopted a rule requiring that "only a treating physician may order emergency psychoactive medication without a patient’s consent during a psychiatric emergency." HHSC has since clarified that, except as specifically provided in 26 TAC §568.22(h)(3), this rule does not limit or override physician delegation authority authorized under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 157 and applicable Texas Medical Board rules. The clarification applies to HHSC-licensed health care facilities. READ MORE

James Bradbury, MS3

MSC Secretary/Editor

MSC Updates

Hello TCEP Members,

My name is James Bradbury. I'm a third-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine with a strong interest in EM and wilderness medicine. This year, I have the privilege of serving as your Editor for the TCEP Medical Student newsletter.

Over this next year together, you can expect:

Information on conferences, leadership positions, and ways to get involved
Resources and opportunities to help students explore and pursue a career in Emergency Medicine
More information about EM subspecialities such as Wilderness Medicine, Global EM, EMS, and more
Highlights of the incredible work being done by EM-bound students throughout Texas (you!)

One initiative I am particularly excited about is the return of our Meet the Residency Series. READ MORE

In the News

ACGME Will Seek More Input on Proposed Changes to EM Residency Programs

Following ACEP and EMRA's June 4 letter urging greater transparency and broader emergency medicine community input, the ACGME announced it will delay any decision on standardizing EM residency programs to four (4) years. Instead, ACGME will launch a pilot program to gather stakeholder feedback before considering changes to current three- and four-year training formats. READ MORE

EBOLA - What Physicians Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responding to an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low, but as with other high-consequence infectious diseases, emergency providers must remain prepared for the possibility of caring for a patient who is under monitoring for Ebola or at risk of developing the disease. DSHS and local health departments in Texas are vigilantly monitoring the situation at all times. We recommend that you watch the CDC video and slides to learn more about this outbreak, the history and ecology of Bundibugyo virus, what U.S. clinicians should know about preparing for, diagnosing, and managing patients with suspect or confirmed Ebola disease, and how to prevent Ebola viruses from spreading.

Second Venezuelan Physician Detained in South Texas as Medical Groups Demand Exemption

(Medical Economics; 4/13/26) CBP detained Rubeliz Bolivar, MD, at a South Texas airport while she traveled for an asylum interview, and officers reportedly dismissed her Venezuelan documentation despite valid U.S. work authorization. A similar detention involved Ezequiel Veliz, MD, in the Rio Grande Valley after a January policy froze visa-related adjudications for some foreign physicians from 39 countries. READ MORE

Renew Your TCEP/ACEP Membership

As many of you prepare to renew your membership with TCEP and ACEP, we encourage you to continue investing in the organization that advocates for Texas emergency physicians year-round. TCEP provides state-level advocacy, legislative monitoring, leadership opportunities, professional networking, CME and educational programs, member communications, and resources tailored to emergency medicine in Texas—all while connecting you to the broader benefits of ACEP membership.

When renewing, please consider enrolling in ACH (electronic check) payments. ACH helps TCEP reduce credit card processing fees, allowing more of your membership dollars to support programs, advocacy efforts, and member services. RENEW TODAY!

Join Concord, a physician-owned and operated organization

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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