TCEP EMphasis Newsletter

AUGUST 2021

EM Workforce Progress

As the grains of sand fall through the hourglass of emergency medicine this year, we find ourselves managing increasingly more complex and tragic situations. It is what we have trained to do.

The overwhelming number of changes that we dealt with this past year have highlighted and sped up the work being done on a national level with the Future EM workforce initiative. We must define our future, and if we do not, someone else will, and the outcome will likely not be favorable.

The good news is that TCEP is here to help carry and facilitate this task. Over the upcoming months, the TCEP Workforce Committee will circulate ongoing communication to its members regarding the ‘ins and outs’ of the EM Physician Workforce of the Future - what it means nationally, what it means locally here in Texas, what is the current state of affairs in Texas, what changes and considerations need to be taken into account. If you have interest in contributing to the TCEP Workforce Committee, we invite you to contact us. We welcome you to participate in your future.

Thank you,
J. Lane Schnell, MD, FACEP
Chair – TCEP Workforce Committee

This report from August 5th gives an update on ongoing ACEP efforts related to workforce projections and is provided by TCEP’s workforce committee.

Here is an overview of actions:
1. Define EM Residency Standards for the Future
2. Ensure Business Interests Do Not Supersede Education and Patient Care
3. Protect Unique Role of the Emergency Physician and Fight Independent Practice
4. Support Emergency Physician in All Communities, Especially Rural
5. Increase Demand and Meet Evolving Needs of Our Communities

Additional Resources

Annals full document
https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(21)00439-X/fulltext

Young Physicians Video with Dr Schmitz – July 2021
https://www.acep.org/yps/newsroom/yps-newsroom-articles/send-us-your-workforce-questions/

Robert Hancock, DO, FACEP named ACEP 2021 Spokesperson of the Year

Immediate Past TCEP President, Dr. Robert Hancock has been selected to receive ACEP’s 2021 Spokesperson of the Year Award. He was selected due to the extensive number of media interviews( print and on TV/online) on various issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic including patient surge capacity both on a local and national level, healthcare workforce shortages, physician mental health and the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

He will be presented with the award during ACEP2021 in Boston.

The best EM jobs are with US Acute Care Solutions! We offer full-time physicians and ownership opportunity, plus extensive benefits including 401(k). Search our available positions and locations to find your emergency medicine career with USACS at www.usacs.com/careers.

ACEP 911 Legislative Network Award

TCEP and ACEP Past President Angela Gardner, MD, FACEP was named ACEP’s 911 Legislative Network, Member of the Year. The award was presented at the Legislative and Advocacy program in Washington, July 2021.

Texans Represent in Washington

During the July ACEP LAC meeting in Washington DC, approx. 17 Texans attended in person to learn about issues and advocate for emergency medicine. Texans met virtually with both Texas Senators and staff, as well as various Texas Representatives.

Andrabi wins Faculty Teaching Award

TCEP member Dr. Sara Andrabi named winner of the 2021 National Emergency Medicine, National Junior Faculty Teaching Award.

Gottlieb is an industry leader in end-to-end Revenue Cycle Management and Practice Optimization solutions for hospital and independent physician groups, specializing in Emergency Medicine and Hospitalist practices. Gottlieb helps their clients navigate the complex healthcare landscape by designing innovative and technology-enabled services that simplify and improve the financial experience.

Professional Emergency Medicine Management

The Texas Medical Association's Hard Hats for Little Heads bicycle helmet giveaway program was created to help reduce head injury among Texas children. TCEP Members can get up to 50 helmets at no cost to host a local Hard Hats helmet giveaway, thanks to the contribution TCEP made to support the program on behalf of our members.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

VOLUNTEERS LEADING TCEP

Click here to view a list of our 2021 – 22 TCEP Committees & Task Forces, and our wonderful members who have volunteered their time to serve on them.

TeamHealth empowers our leaders to create a culture of high-quality patient care and clinician well-being. Become a leader for one of our Emergency Medicine teams and make a positive impact in your community by improving efficiency and outcomes for care teams. View emergency medicine leadership job openings with TeamHealth here.

ACEP and TCEP Leadership Discussion

On August 17th, Dr. Mark Rosenberg ( ACEP President) and Sue Sedory ( ACEP Executive Director) held a “town hall” zoom call to hear from TCEP leaders the issues we are dealing with, and how ACEP can assist. Members were able to tell about the ER frustrations they are experiencing with the COVID surge. In addition additional information about the EM workforce actions were discussed. Dr Rosenberg has been hosting these calls with every chapter during his term.

Few could have predicted the pandemic of 2020 or the crisis it caused. But through all the uncertainty we’ve already experienced and all the uncertainty yet to come, TMLT stands by you. We fight to defend you. We fight for tort reform. We will fight for you in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Legal Update

UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Kenneth Alan Totz, DO, JD, FACEP

What does unprofessional conduct mean to you? When I envision unprofessional conduct, I think back to my medical student days watching one of the cardiothoracic surgeons throw surgical instruments at the scrub tech who handed him the wrong instrument ...