I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Gary R. Katz, MD, MBA, FACEP (Ohio)

Current Professional Positions: chief medical officer, Family Care Partners, Varsity Healthcare; assistant professor and program director, administration fellowship, department of emergency medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus

Internships and Residency: emergency medicine residency, Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio; emergency medicine internship, Summa Health System

Medical Degree: MD, Medical College of Ohio (1998)

Response

Council officers play an essential role that both mirrors and diverges from that of the Board. Both must create unifying messages and strengthen our ACEP. While this might be easier in times of consensus, it is during times of disparity the Council officers must apply their unique skills, facilitating dialogue to create action where agreement can be fashioned.

Creating harmony in times of conflict requires assurance that the majority’s will is followed while the minority’s rights remain protected. Resolution of these competing forces is founded in parliamentary procedure, a skill I have studied and applied. I served as Speaker, while Chair of the American Medical Association (AMA) Young Physicians Section and chaired the AMA’s finance and governance committee, where I ran assemblies like our ACEP Council.

However, fairness and justice must be exhibited by more than employing parliamentary procedure. The traits of fostering dialogue must be exhibited year-round, assuring that membership voices are developed with broad participation. Such opportunities exist in growing social communities where peers share insight, experiences, frustrations, and solutions to our challenges. No longer are we limited to interacting infrequently. Through ongoing discourse, we can reach beyond facile understanding and create critical solutions that carry a national input and support.

I was privileged to serve two terms as Ohio ACEP President. During these terms, I employed these communication principles to lead our chapter’s growing education and advocacy missions. This has yielded sustained increases in member engagement. This philosophy of outreach reflects what we would also desire in a Board member.

Our Council remains the best channel to strengthen the voice of ACEP’s membership and further the cause of emergency medicine. The duties of the Council officers carry unique requirements to achieve success. I’m happy to bring expertise that will marry Board of Directors and Speaker skills to be a strong voice for you.