Greetings and happy summer! I recently had the opportunity to travel to my hometown of Huntington, WV to spend time with my family after a long time apart. Hopefully, you have found some time to relax, recharge, and maybe even getaway for a bit after a long-fought pandemic battle. While the threat of COVID-19 has not been completely erased, it’s nice to see the return of some semblance of “normal.”

And with that, we are very much looking forward to welcoming you back to our first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic. Symposium by the Sea 2021 will take place LIVE and in-person on August 5-8 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, FL. The planning committee has been hard at work to ensure that you will receive the highest quality presentations as well as the full slate of social events you have come to know and love. This year is particularly special in that we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, and revealing our “50 Years 50 Voices” project to commemorate the 50 years of excellence in FCEP members’ service to emergency medicine and the state of Florida. Be sure to check out the SBS schedule for a full listing of presentations and events — won’t you join us?

SBS 2021 will also mark the re-launch of our new and improved Leadership Academy with Dr. Stephen Viel at the helm. FCEP’s Leadership Academy is a one-year program that fully immerses participants into the world of organized medicine. You will have the opportunity to get actively involved in FCEP committees, take part in a variety of local and national conferences and advocacy events, and network with leaders and mentors from across the state. FCEP is seeking individuals with a commitment to our specialty, an interest in getting more involved, and a desire to become the future leaders of our organization and of emergency medicine at large. Check out the brochure for more information and the application form. Applications are due at the end of August, and Dr. Viel will be at SBS 2021 to meet interested participants and provide more information.

In addition, Dr. Dakota Lane continues to develop and lead our new Early Career Physicians section to promote mentorship, fellowship, and resources to our senior residents and new attendings as we navigate the world beyond training. Follow along for more information and planned events coming up this fall, including our Life After Residency conference for PGY-3s, which will take place in-person on September 8-9 in Orlando, FL!

As always, we have to take a moment for reflection and wellness. For me, wellness is an investment I choose to make in myself every day. I do this by finding the time for family and friends, by focusing on maintaining a positive mental state, by owning my thoughts and emotions (even when they are not the best), and by taking advantage of opportunities to improve my skills and share fellowship with my colleagues around the state and beyond. I look forward to seeing you in Naples, where we can continue to look out for each other and promote mental, physical, and emotional wellness after a very draining year.

We are excited for the opportunity to be back together again and hope you will consider joining, for all or part of our upcoming events. Don’t hesitate to reach out at any time if there’s anything we can do to assist you. We have some difficult battles ahead, but we at FCEP are committed to serving YOU, our members, and leading the fight as we continue to advance the specialty of emergency medicine.