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Opening Session Features Video of Aurora Response

A moving video about Colorado physicians and their response to the Aurora movie theater shooting on July 20 highlighted the ACEP Scientific Assembly’s Opening Session. When doctors from six hospitals were asked to stand and be recognized for their efforts, attendees at the Oct. 8 event gave them a standing ovation. A session on Tuesday broke down disaster response and how the two hospitals receiving the biggest number of victims handled the mass casualty event. The video can be seen at www.acep.org/sa/videos.

After the emergency physicians and their colleagues were recognized, the Opening Session moved into the future and business of health care. Michael L. Lovdal, a partner at Oliver Wyman with more than 25 years of experience in providing strategic planning and assistance to clients in health sciences, delivered the keynote. Lovdal said the scope of the health care problem today is phenomenal, pointing out that 18% of the U.S. GDP goes to health care now. He said that number will jump to 20% due to the expected increase in Type II diabetes alone.

A round-table discussion followed with Lovdal, ACEP President Dr. Andrew E. Sama, and Dr. Steven J. Stack, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. They addressed questions regarding the impact of these changes on emergency physicians. Despite the major changes they anticipate coming, there was some consensus that, because of the nature of their jobs, emergency physicians are likely to be somewhat cushioned from some of the most dramatic changes, at least in the short term.

Save the Dates: Seattle 2013

The 2013 ACEP Scientific Assembly is set for Oct. 14-17 in Seattle, Wash. Know you plan to attend? The official 2013 ACEP Scientific Assembly hotel block is open for booking! There’s no upfront cost to reserve your room in advance. Find out more online at www.acep.org/seattle2013.