PACEP NEWS WINTER 2018
Happy New Year! 2017 was one for the record books in many ways – massive natural disasters, tragic violence and a polarized political climate that leaves us with significant uncertainty about the financing of the healthcare system. Through it all, each and every one of you kept the Commonwealth’s emergency departments open 24/7/365. You continued to care for patients with compassion and expertise. As emergency physicians, we find solutions for whatever problem we are presented with, and the skill set required to solve problems in the emergency department is the same skill set needed to solve the larger problems in the healthcare system.
Maria K. Guyette, MD, FACEP PACEP President
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ACEP, and a half century of the specialty of emergency medicine as we know it, the job description really hasn’t changed all that much. Needed: Physicians willing to work 24/7/365, who will diagnose any and every pathology known (and some that are not yet known), give pain relief and reassurance for those in crisis, break bad news to patients and families on a fairly regular basis, provide connections and transitions between the inpatient and outpatient worlds, and serve as the safety net provider of last resort. No matter what goes on outside our doors, we continue to care for any and all patients inside the ED. It’s a hard job, but incredibly rewarding. Alongside the celebrations, we recognize that PACEP has a lot of work to do in 2018 to make it possible for you to work 24/7/365, now and for many years to come. We are committed to supporting physician wellness, protecting patient access to care, and fighting for fair payment. Our voice is strong, we are problem-solvers, and our state leadership is interested in hearing from you. I invite you to join us in Harrisburg March 19-21st for PACEP Scientific Assembly to continue the conversation on how best we can meet our objectives.