The journey of the AUCM model has been quite tedious, but awesome, and just last month we received word that Secretary Azar at HHS believes that core concepts of the model should be incorporated into other models that are being developed.In addition, because of interest from other payers, ACEP will continue to introduce this model to other entities, such as commercial payors.

During the Scientific Assembly, I will convene the first meeting of the Future of Emergency Medicine Task Force. We have already started by selecting a group of thought leaders and querying them for the areas of medicine they believe will be crucial to address in assessing the near-term approach to the success of EM. At the meeting this week, we will have a group discussion on the areas of focus and suggest content experts. We plan to produce a document that addresses those areas in depth, hopefully continuing to lay the groundwork for our approach as a College.

We cannot talk about the paths to more effective and meaningful workplaces without addressing the violence that occurs in our communities – and then into our EDs. Until Help Arrives is a new community-based initiative for ACEP members to provide CPR and first responder training to citizens in your local schools, community centers, and churches. Find out how you can become an instructor at untilhelparrives.com. and at booth 125 in the Exhibit Hall during ACEP19.

And emergency departments are not immune to this violence. Workplace violence is one key area where ACEP and ENA can work together to effectively address this problem that impacts all of emergency care. We need our workplaces to be safe for each other, our patients and their families. Today, I’m excited to announce that ACEP has teamed up with our nursing partners at ENA to launch the “No Silence on ED Violence” campaign.

The goal is to raise awareness about workplace violence in the emergency department, offer resources and build a broad network of supporters committed to advocating and finding solutions for this problem. Visit stopEDviolence.org and use #StopEDViolence on social media to share your stories and join the conversation on how we can end this problem with which we are all too familiar.

As an aside, I believe we are stronger where we can find a shared vision with those who ultimately share the same goals. While understanding we may have differences on some issues, focusing on our shared goals will create more productive relationships. ACEP has led, in concert with multiple other organizations, on many of these issues, including workforce, scope of practice, medical merit badges, and fair payment. We will continue to develop projects and resources that emphasize our inclusiveness. Whether it is two voices that bring a resolution to our council, physicians that work in a single hospital group, or those that work for multi-specialty organizations, we want to help you make your workplace more effective – a destination where our patients receive excellent care and where you find joy in your practice.