Jacob Altholz, MD

This year represented the first year I was able to attend the Leadership and Advocacy Conference, the same academic year I began my formal training in emergency medicine as an intern at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While I lived in Washington, D.C. previously, it was entirely a different experience to be able to travel and advocate on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Altholz

Hopefully on the tail-end of the pandemic, never has it been more valuable for the specialty of emergency medicine to fiercely advocate; every day was an opportunity to learn and advocate for not only our patients, but our specialty. Yet, most inspiring was the day we all gathered, organized by state, to plan and meet with our representatives and senators on behalf of the profession. Speaking with representatives from multiple regions, we all realized that our challenges were always context-dependent, changing shape and color with the populations we serve. One thing was certain: the need to ensure that we health care workers are protected. This year, the violence we have all witnessed in the ED was front and center on the docket.

Meeting with congressional offices felt simultaneously nerve-wracking and invigorating, the importance of the issues we face only multiplying the sincerity with which we all approached our annual chance to drive national change for our profession. It was an honor to represent not only myself, but all emergency physicians, and I am excited at the prospect of being able to do so next year. —Jacob Altholz, MD, PGY-1 UNLV EM Residency

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So, come next year to LAC and add your voice! In the meantime, join the 911 Grassroots Network (acep.org/911grassrootsadvocacy) to stay updated and informed on federal and state issues. You can also support ACEP by contributing to NEMPAC as well and help ACEP amplify your voice on the issues that matter most to emergency physicians. 

Dr. Cirillo serves on the Board of Directors for ACEP.