When I moved to Florida, my first meeting experience with the Florida College of Emergency Physicians was Emergency Medicine Days in 2007. This highlight and emphasis on advocacy has always been, in my opinion, what sets FCEP apart from other chapters that I know of.

March 11-13, 2019 was no different, except that it represented the 30th year FCEP has hosted Emergency Medicine Days in Tallahassee. This year, over 50 physicians, residents and medical students travelled to Tallahassee to learn about issues impacting emergency physicians across the state and the patients they serve. This was an opportunity to have conversations with dozens of legislators and legislative aides and visit with state government officials, all in effort to focus on bills and policies that could have a lasting impact on the health care delivery system in Florida.

In today’s environment, the importance of advocacy cannot be understated. Emergency physicians have the unique experience of truly being on the front lines of patient care, at an interface that few others see in the health system. We see the issues impacting vulnerable populations and the outcomes when access to care is inhibited. We need to be able to tell these stories to policymakers so that the legislative process, in the end, benefits and does not harm our citizens.

This is a powerful and privileged platform, and one of the greatest benefits the College provides to its members and emergency physicians across the state. We are truly the voice for emergency physicians in Florida and there are still many opportunities to get involved in organized emergency medicine at FCEP. For example, at our quarterly Board of Directors meeting on March 12, I announced that there are five open board seats and 10 Councillor positions available to represent FCEP at ACEP’s Scientific Assembly and annual meeting. Now is the time to become involve in organized emergency medicine.

As you read this edition of EMpulse, be sure to read the perspectives of medical students and residents who experienced advocacy for the first time. While the legislative process has progressed well beyond the reports contained in their updates, the core of what we do and what we advocate for remains. The process and the need for advocacy remains.

This was, again, another successful year in supporting the mission of the College. I must thank our committee chairs and FCEP staff for a job well done. For those who did not attend, you missed an impactful time for emergency medicine. The more of us that attend, the greater impact we will have. Plan to attend next year, will you? ■