President’s Message

Reflecting on Progress and Purpose

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Since we came together at Symposium by the Sea this past August, I’ve continued to reflect on the energy, collaboration, and sense of purpose that filled those few impactful days. It was a powerful reminder that when we gather, listen, and lead together, real progress is not just possible — it’s inevitable.

In that same spirit of connection and momentum, I want to share a few updates on what we’ve been working on since the conference, and how your voices continue to guide our efforts across the state and beyond.

Advocacy in Action: Fixing the No Surprises Act

One of our top advocacy priorities this year remains addressing the flawed implementation of the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process under the No Surprises Act.

While the intent of the legislation was to protect patients from unexpected medical bills, the current IDR system has created new challenges — undermining fairness for emergency physicians and the very patients we serve.

FCEP has been actively engaging with national partners, policymakers, and regulatory agencies to push for meaningful reform. We’re advocating for a process that restores transparency, efficiency, and balance, ensuring that emergency medicine is treated with the respect it deserves.

“The current process is not working — for physicians or for patients — and we are committed to fixing it.”

Your stories, your data, and your lived experiences remain powerful tools in this fight. As we continue this advocacy work, we’ll be calling on you to share those stories — helping us illustrate the real-world impact of these policies on Florida’s emergency departments and communities.

Together, we are building a strong, united front to ensure emergency medicine remains respected, protected, and heard.

Strengthening Our Community: Inclusion, Engagement, and Growth

Equally important to our advocacy work is our ongoing commitment to making sure that FCEP reflects you — our diverse, passionate, and forward-thinking membership.

Over the past several months, we have:

• Launched new initiatives to better engage early-career physicians, residents, and medical students.

• Created new pathways for member input in organizational priorities and advocacy agendas.

• Prioritized inclusion, transparency, and responsiveness across all levels of leadership — from board discussions to program design.

Our goal is to ensure that every member feels seen, valued, and heard. We recognize that the strength of FCEP lies not in a single voice, but in the diversity of perspectives that together define our specialty.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to get involved, I encourage you to do so — whether that means joining a committee, mentoring a colleague, or simply reaching out to share your ideas. Your voice makes a difference.

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future for EM

As we look toward the remainder of the year — and begin planning for 2026 and beyond — our focus remains on the issues that matter most:

• Excellence in patient care

• Support for our physicians

• Sustainable, fair practice environments

• Strong leadership at every level of emergency medicine

We know there’s more work ahead. But we also know that when this community comes together — united by shared values and a common mission — there is no challenge we cannot meet.

A Shared Mission

Thank you for being part of the FCEP family and for continuing to lead with compassion, dedication, and courage. We are stronger because of you — and together, we’ll continue to advance the practice of emergency medicine in Florida and beyond.

Warm regards,
Saundra A. Jackson, MD, FACEP
President, Florida College of Emergency Physicians