The summer brings an exciting gust to residency programs across Florida. With the warm weather comes intern orientations, fresh simulations, ultrasound and procedure training, beach-day wellness activities, and a fresh enthusiasm for our specialty. Training through the pandemic has afforded us surprising opportunities: an opportunity to be a part of our hospital’s conversation amidst crisis, an opportunity to gain more individualized instruction during the low volume times, and an opportunity to stretch ourselves when the floods of patients came rushing back in. These are experiences we will carry with us into our careers. As residents, we have developed adaptability, innovation, and communication doing what we love about emergency medicine: making real-time tough decisions for the health and safety of our community. After facing these challenges, we are all the better equipped to face the challenges the specialty is carrying.

I first discovered the FCEP community as a medical student at EM Days in Tallahassee and again as they represented Florida at the national Leadership and Advocacy Conference. As we met with legislators to champion our physicians and our patients, again and again lawmakers would say, “Wow, I had no idea it was like that in our emergency departments.” Or they would relay a single memorable experience they had long ago in the ED, which has since influenced their decision-making. What we do for our communities is amazing and special, and from the waiting room to the Capitol, our knowledge and skills are needed. 

EMRAF interest is building, but there is so much more residents can benefit from this year. From Symposium By the Sea to Life After Residency, FCEP committees and planning, anyone can get involved and connect with emergency physicians across this sunny state. If you have not yet signed up to receive updates, click Subscribe to Announcements at the bottom of fcep.org, or send me an email at ecalhounmd@gmail.com.