Leadership is defined as “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” Advocacy is defined as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” Bringing those two concepts to life is what the 2024 ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference (LAC), themed “Stronger Together” and held April 14-16 in Washington, D.C., was all about. While it would be refreshing, and certainly easier, to advocate on “simple” issues, ACEP chooses to take on the tough issues and fights that improve the lives and practices of emergency physicians. And, in the spirit of both talking the talk and walking the walk, at LAC24, the College not only took on the difficult issues, but also the difficult conversations.

This year, there were 227 meetings on Capitol Hill.

By the numbers, the conference was another success. There were 433 attendees, including 157 attending for the first time, 64 emergency residents, and five medical students. Always the conference’s highlight, ACEP members participated in 227 Capitol Hill visits, including 53 visits with members of Congress. Each of these visits, whether with a member of Congress or their staff, is an opportunity to educate them on the issues and build relationships. In some ways, members of Congress and their staff are like emergency physicians. Just as we can be simultaneously caring for patients with an acute STEMI, ankle sprain, acute psychotic episode, and appendicitis, a member of Congress may vote on the same day for funding NASA, establishing climate law, passing a foreign aid package, and naming a post office. The point is that, just like us, they are required to know and act on a wide variety of issues. Members of Congress and their staff need trusted experts to provide insights and expertise on issues. That’s why developing a relationship of mutual trust with them is an essential part of our visits to Capitol Hill.

Texas emergency physicians met with their Senators, Representatives, and key staff members. Many of these ACEP members were making return visits to the annual LAC meeting. (Click to enlarge.)

This year, ACEP members took to the Hill to advocate on four issues: emergency department (ED) workplace violence, ED/hospital boarding, Medicare physician payment reform, and the need for fair due process laws to protect emergency physicians (see page 2 for a late-breaking update on this effort). The first day of this conference was packed with amazing educational presentations and enlightening conversations. Topical presentations and panel discussions by ACEP members on “Using Social and Traditional Media to Influence Congress,” “In Order to Form a More Perfect Union…ization?” “AI and Emergency Medicine,” “Stanley Cup, Space and Ski Slopes: New Practice Models Outside the ED,” and “Leading by Example: ACEP’s Model Legislation to Fight Scope Creep/Expansion,” all highlighted the College’s work to protect emergency physicians and advance the specialty of emergency medicine.