THE ON-DECK CIRCLE Timothy Cheslock, DO, FACOEP

You may be wondering just a bit about the title of my article. It’s the middle of July in the heat of Summer. For so many though in Emergency Medicine, July 1 is the beginning of a new year. I wanted to appropriately acknowledge so many on their achievements and transitions.

First to those that have recently completed their residency training and are embarking on their first shifts as a new attending physician, welcome to the first day of the rest of your career! All the hard work and long hours have now paid off! You have reached that ever elusive goal of becoming a full-fledged EM physician. ACOEP is excited to celebrate your achievements, and everyone here at the college cannot wait to see what you will accomplish professionally and personally as you take this next huge step. ACOEP will continue to be here for you to meet all your needs as you prepare for boards, begin your CME licensing cycle and seek to continue your professional development. We need motivated physicians to take part in committees, leadership and other projects to make the college successful into the future. I hope I can count on you to be there for the college. I pledge we will be there for you in return!

To all our residents in the GME cycle, whether you are a first-year intern or resident, a second year or embarking on that last year before graduation – ACOEP is here to help make this new academic year a successful one. There are so many opportunities to take part in this year to further your knowledge and show off your research. Take advantage of as much as possible to make this year the best it can be. I invite all of you to take part in our upcoming Scientific Assembly in Las Vegas. There will be academic competitions, oral abstracts and the CPC sponsored by FOEM. Show off what you have been doing in the academic realm. In addition, Las Vegas provides a great opportunity to let loose and have some fun as well. I look forward to seeing many of you there!

Finally, to our new medical students aspiring to become the future of Emergency Medicine. Welcome to ACOEP. Take a look at all we have to offer. There are many activities throughout the year both online and in person that will enhance your education clinically, but will also help prepare you for clinical rotations, clerkships, residency applications and interviews. The list goes on. ACOEP is here for you! Don’t be afraid to reach out and say hello. The more you put into your efforts, the more you will be rewarded down the road. It is not a race but a marathon. Let us help you prepare for the long haul. Together we can get you to your goal!

Many of our members are far removed from the academic cycle, but still have had personal transitions in jobs this year. There have been any number of personal transitions as well. Children graduating from high school or college, moves to new locations, weddings and births. We all have things to celebrate. One of the greatest parts of being in ACOEP is the relationships that I have come to develop with so many of you through the years. Whether it is connecting in person at our events or seeing you on Facebook or Instagram celebrating, I feel very grateful to be a part of your world. ACOEP is a close-knit group. We take pride in our members and our collective accomplishments. We support each other and share a common thread that makes us akin to a large extended family. Thanks to all of you for continuing your journey with ACOEP. Let’s continue to do great things! –•–

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

ACOEP IS A CLOSE-KNIT GROUP. WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR MEMBERS AND OUR COLLECTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND SHARE A COMMON THREAD THAT MAKES US AKIN TO A LARGE EXTENDED FAMILY.”