Newtown reminds us of our duty to public safety

President's Message

Sandy Hook—a reminder of our role in shaping public safety policy

Emergency physicians are compassionate by nature. For many of us, it’s the reason we chose our profession. At the same time, the job requires a thick skin, both for the sake of the patients who rely on us and for our own sanity. This is why it is striking to see one of our own lose that composure. [Read more]

Board Member Spotlight - Dr. John Queen

Whether he’s instructing EM residents or coaching baseball, one of Dr. John Queen’s greatest passions is teaching. He is currently Assistant Residency Program Director at the Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic Foundation Emergency Medicine Residency Program. An accomplished instructor, he is now the Course Co-Director of the Ohio ACEP Oral Board Review course and was named Cleveland Clinic Emergency Medicine Teacher of the Year in 2006. [Read more]

All Ohio EM Assembly is Coming!

Save the Date! The All Ohio Emergency Medicine Assembly on June 4 will feature nationally-known expert speakers like:

Dr. Greg Henry—Got The Job! Now Understand The Contract
Dr. Alex Rosenau—Top Ten Concerns: The Transition to Life as An Attending
Dr. Shari Welch—EM Medical Errors

Attending physicians will not want to miss the Chapter Annual Meeting and elections.

New 2013 programming for residents, cosponsored by EMRA:

June 3—Free Evening Welcome Reception and Residents’ Social Event
June 4—Resident/Recruiter Speed-Networking Lunch and EMRA Quiz Show

Recognize a Colleague for Outstanding Work

EMS Star of Life Awards

Know an EMS Star that deserves a little extra recognition for a job well done? The EMS Star of Life Awards were created by Ohio ACEP and the Ohio Division of EMS to recognize outstanding achievements and to honor those in Ohio's EMS system whose accomplishments rise above the day-to-day excellence of that system. Nominate an outstanding EMS professional today! Deadline for submissions is March 8.

Bill Hall Award, Emergency Physician of the Year Award

These awards celebrate the achievements of colleagues who made a difference in the previous year. We are looking for nominees for the Bill Hall Award for Service and the EM Physician of the Year Award. For more information, including nomination instructions, see the awards criteria for the Bill Hall Award and EM Physician of the Year Award. Nominations are due March 11, 2013.

QIPS Resident Quality Award

Do you know an outstanding resident graduating this calendar year? Nominate them for a Quality Improvement & Patient Safety (QIPS) Resident Quality Award. Recipients of the award receive a free 1-year QIPS membership, publication in the QIPS Newsletter and recognition at the 2013 ACEP Scientific Assembly in Seattle! Nominations are due, August 1, 2013.

EM Physician Representative to Sexual Assault Advisory Board Needed

The Ohio Department of Health and Ohio ACEP are looking for an emergency medicine physician representative to the Sexual Assault Advisory Board of Ohio (SAABO). The Board’s mission is to ensure that all victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse have consistent access to quality medical care. For more information, contact Justin Spicer.

Member Kudos

James J. Augustine, MD, FACEP, for his column, “When Newtown happens: What are EMS' priorities,” which appeared at EMS1.com.

David F. Baehren, MD, FACEP, for his commentary, “The Deep Well” in the February edition of ACEPNews

Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD, FACEP, for his article, “NYC Limits ED Opioid Prescriptions,” which appeared in Emergency Physicians Monthly

Ohio ACEP also wants to send a rare out-of-state kudos to Dr. Nathan Schlicher, a former Ohio Chapter member and graduate of the Chapter’s 2008 Leadership Development Academy. Dr. Schlicher has played a key role in Washington State’s ongoing Medicaid policy debate and is now a Washington State Senator. More on this story below.

If you know of a member that deserves to be congratulated, let us know!

Plan Pushed by Wash. State EM Physicians and Hospitals Saves State Money, Improves Patient Care

Emergency physicians and EM groups across the nation—including Ohio ACEP—have been closely following Washington State’s attempts to bridge budget deficits by denying payment for Medicaid visits to EDs that are later deemed “unnecessary.”

Washington ACEP—along with other medical associations, hospitals and patients’ advocacy groups—protested the plan, arguing that the policy would deter patients from seeking medical care for potentially serious medical conditions. By educating legislators about the bad policy, Washington ACEP and its allies successfully prevented it from taking effect. [Read more]

Recent News and Opinion

Psychiatric patients wait in ERs for days and weeks as inpatient beds are scaled back – The Washington Post, January 22

Cleveland's MetroHealth gets OK for Medicaid expansion program for uninsured adults – The Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 5