President's MessageDecember 2025
Colleagues, This holiday season I’m reminded of what I’m professionally most grateful for: each of you. Don’t get me wrong; things like dentistry with lidocaine, modern ambulances (as opposed to those station wagon jobs), and exam gloves (thank goodness) are near the top of my list for too many serious and humorous reasons to list here. Ultimately, though, they aren’t as impactful for me as the comradery, support, growth and partnership I have with my colleagues in EM. We all know that this career encompasses the entire gamut of human emotions and conditions and, while rewarding, that it can take a toll. There is great strength in our teamwork and fellowship. I want to highlight a recent teamwork achievement of a different kind as well. Recently we learned that there was an unanticipated message from state regulators regarding the requirements for resuscitation courses for Physicians working in free-standing Emergency Departments. This decision suddenly reversed long-standing, TCEP negotiated exemptions for EPs to have current ‘merit badge’ courses. Previously, and consistent with long-standing EM policy, we had held that boarded Emergency Physicians did not require these letter badge courses as we clearly practice to a higher standard. Jill Sutton, our TCEP Executive Director, urgently and effectively partnered with Imperium (our lobbyist), stakeholders including TAFEC, and, led by one of our Board Members Dr. Jessica Best, had an effective meeting with state regulators. In under 6 weeks we had notice that the state regulators were working to modify their position. This is unheard of speed and efficacy. (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXHHSC/bulletins/3ff7454) We anticipate a decision to likely continue the TCEP-supported position that achieving board certification in EM (by ABEM or AOBEM) is the ‘gold standard’ for our patients and our practice and supersedes the need for these courses. While this story of administrative success pales in comparison to the importance of the success we have at bedside, I nonetheless wanted to share it as another encouraging sign of effective partnership. It is essential that we remain united in advocating for our patients, and therefore our members, as we provide the most essential, cost effective, and impactful portion of acute care for our communities. You have my admiration, but also note my plea: stay involved, support each other and work together to achieve more as a group than we ever could as individual contributors. Warm regards, AJ Kirk, MD, FACEP |
