John A. Rupke Legacy Award

Presented to a current ACEP member for outstanding lifetime contributions to the College. The award honors John A. Rupke, M.D., one of the College’s founding members.

Pamela B. Bensen, M.D., M.S., FACEP

Dr. Bensen is president and chief executive of Medical Education Programs Inc., a consulting firm specializing in physician education for medical documentation, documentation and coding audits for CPT, and DRG coding.

Dr. Benson was one of emergency medicine’s first interns and designed her own internship program. She has practiced emergency medicine since 1971 and has provided clinical, administrative, and practice management leadership to hospitals in Maine and South Carolina. She has been a member of the ACEP Council since 1973 and served on ACEP’s Board of Directors in 1982-1988. Because she, the specialty, and the College grew up together, she has shaped programs and solved problems organically as opportunities and necessity dictated.

Council Meritorious Service Award

Presented to a member who has made consistent contributions to the growth and effectiveness of the ACEP Council.

David Wilcox, M.D., FACEP

After 30 years in academic and clinical emergency medicine, Dr. Wilcox currently serves as an independent consultant helping managed care and pharmaceutical companies identify treatments that deliver high efficacy at a reasonable cost.

His dedication to the ACEP Council and his generosity in mentoring new councillors has made him an invaluable resource. He has served on numerous Council committees and, in 1995, launched the ACEP Council EMF Challenge, an annual fundraising initiative that continues to benefit the Emergency Medicine Foundation.

Honorary Membership Award

Presented to an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the College or to the medical profession.

Diane K. Bollman

Ms. Bollman is executive director of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians (MCEP), a position she has held for more than 17 years.

During her tenure as executive director, MCEP has nearly doubled its membership, completed a successful building campaign, and relocated its headquarters to a new building in Lansing. In addition, with the involvement of an active board, committees, and volunteers, MCEP has been successful in important legislative and reimbursement initiatives, including the passage of prudent layperson legislation, enhanced EMS laws, and a two-tiered Medicaid reimbursement structure.

Honorary Membership Award

Presented to an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the College or to the medical profession.