I can bring the perspective of a young physician and diversity of experiences to the ACEP Board.

I was born and raised in rural Michigan, where the ED was a five-bed facility in a hospital with 60 inpatient beds. It was there that I first shadowed physicians in a professional setting as I explored a medical career. Seeing the role of the ED in a small community, as the first critical intervention, led directly to my choice of specialty. The emergency physician is always there, 24-7, in those communities when urgent and emergent needs arise. They are the embodiment of the most highly skilled acute care physician.

Those years were formative, and throughout my time in Michigan College of Emergency Physicians (MCEP) leadership, I used my hometown as a touchstone and point of comparison when considering the impact of changes in legislation, funding models, and workforce issues. Increasingly, the ED is the indispensable component of the health care system in communities and must be preserved and considered in any changes in practice.

While in residency, in 2003, I joined ACEP’s State Legislative/Regulatory Committee, serving continuously and chairing for the last three years. I also chaired MCEP’s legislative committee and lead Michigan’s 911 Network. I have had innumerable interactions with federal and state policy makers, both legislative and regulatory, and testified before our state legislature. In addition to working on a state Medicaid workgroup for emergency medicine, I currently work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on an emergency physician–led quality initiative.

I also believe that emergency physicians have a unique body of knowledge they should share with the public. I have given numerous media interviews about EM-related issues (over 14 in 2015). I have penned letters to the editor and op-eds on issues related to emergency medicine and public health in Michigan. I believe that raising our specialty’s visibility will benefit our members, our specialty, and, ultimately, our patients.

In summary, I believe I bring the viewpoint of a young physician tempered by the experience of both ACEP and chapter leadership. I offer the balanced perspective of a university-based academic hospital employee with the heart of a small-town physician. My experience in academic settings is matched by dedication to EDs in places like my hometown. I believe that this duality and diversity of experience, as well as my ability to consider the opposing viewpoint, make me an ideal candidate for the ACEP Board of Directors.