PUERTO RICO

As a Puerto Rico Chapter initiative, the Emergency Medicine Chapter was reactivated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Puerto Rico (Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos). As part of this initiative, chapter leaders participated in a Senate meeting where discussions took place regarding the work, lives, and well-being of fellow physicians throughout the island. One of the resolutions approved included a list of regulations that went into effect in June 2020. Through this resolution, the chapter requested that all hospital-based specialties have a say in the development of the regulations that will define the operation of hospitals in the island and the lives and working conditions for physicians.

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RHODE ISLAND

Emergency physicians from the Rhode Island Chapter were instrumental in helping to pass a pilot program that directs the Rhode Island Department of Health to establish harm reduction centers (HRCs). These centers, also known as safe injection sites, are licensed, community-based resources for health screening, disease prevention, and recovery assistance for all people who use drugs. HRCs allow people to safely consume, under medical supervision, controlled substances that they bring with them.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

After a long year, the South Carolina Chapter was excited to see the return of the annual Coastal Emergency Medicine Conference at Kiawah Island. We were so excited to welcome everyone after the 2020 conference was canceled. Highlights of the conference included an ACEP update from current ACEP President Dr. Gillian Schmitz, the annual Tri-State Jeopardy Tournament, and the annual barbecue and oyster roast party. 

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TENNESSEE

The Tennessee Chapter hosted the EMerald Coast Conference Chapters’ candidate forum virtually on Aug. 25, 2021. Leaders from eight of the 10 EMerald Coast Conference chapters participated: Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Tennessee. All candidates for national ACEP office and Council leadership participated. A follow-up survey to the forum indicated that the participating chapter leaders believed the forum offered equitable access to the candidates, was unbiased, and was an important factor in their candidate selection during the 2021 Council meeting.

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TEXAS

A key highlight was the distribution of 300,000 N95 masks. These masks were given free to Texas Chapter members (some were asked to pay for shipping costs) due to our close relationship with the Texas Medical Association. These masks were hard to get during the start of the pandemic and were especially appreciated by members in rural areas. Dr. David Pinto, a Texas Chapter member who commuted each week from Austin to the Panhandle, took it upon himself to deliver hundreds of the masks during his travels. 

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