Increasingly, physicians are called on to serve as leaders. EMRA wants to empower each of you to develop these skills. When you join EMRA, you also join ACEP and your ACEP state chapter. EMRA has partnered with ACEP's National-Chapter Relations Committee to assess current opportunities for students, residents, and young physicians.
Residents and Students on ACEP Chapter Boards
The vast majority of ACEP chapters encourage at least one resident position on their board of directors (93%). Of these, more than three-quarters of residents hold a voting position (77%) and more than 10% allow for a non-voting resident (16%). Several chapters allow for multiple resident representatives, and two chapters (Texas and Iowa) allow medical students to serve on the board in addition to residents.
Residents as ACEP Councilors
Almost half (43%) of ACEP chapters allow resident members to serve as either a full or alternate ACEP councilor. However, only 4% of credentialed councilors are physicians-in-training. Nine chapters permit residents to serve as a full ACEP councilor for their chapter, which is an increase from 5 chapters in 2015. Availability of these positions varies based upon resident and faculty interest. Inquire with your chapter to indicate your interest!
Chapters with Leadership Development Programs
Approximately one-fifth of all chapters now offer structured leadership development programs. Additionally, California, Ohio, and Texas offer advocacy-specific longitudinal training. While the content and structure of such training varies by chapter, participation offers a strong foundation for lifelong leadership and a basic understanding of organized medicine as a whole.
Chapters Performing Annual Residency Visits
Residency visits allow chapter leaders to encourage residents and students to become engaged in organized medicine. Typically visits involve chapter board members or otherwise active members travelling to each residency program within their purview to offer lectures and networking sessions. Approximately one-third of chapters (34%) perform residency visits.
Chapters with a Medical Student Council
The average U.S. allopathic medical student applying to EM has approximately 6.8 volunteer experiences, 3.5 work experiences, and 2-3 research experiences /publications, per the 2016 NRMP Charting Outcomes Report. More than ever, medical students want to make an impact. ACEP chapters are taking note, with more than 15% creating a medical student council that allows students to plan and execute their own goals and objectives. Similarly, 15% of chapters are also conducting EMIG visits. Find out if your chapter has a medical student council, and if not, inquire whether it is possible to create one.
Other Ways Chapters Engage Physicians-in-Training
ACEP Chapters also want to support physicians-in-training via:
- Travel grants to ACEP's Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
- Chapter level awards/grants to support or recognize outstanding residents and students
- Research grants for students and residents
- Resident and student programming at either the annual conference or as a stand-alone event
How Do ACEP Chapters Drive Engagement?
Click here for a table detailing individual ACEP Chapter information.
Next Steps
After you've reviewed the ACEP Chapter Opportunities table, contact your chapter to see how you can get involved! Also consider making a splash with EMRA Committees and Divisions or by serving as your residency's representative to the EMRA Representative Council. If you're looking to start small, join EMRA's mentorship program. Finally, be sure to take advantage your complimentary membership to one of ACEP's 37 sections (acep.org/sections). You can also apply to serve on the ACEP committees (deadline May of each year!). These are great ways to contribute to EM and network your way to success. Now let's go out there and achieve amazing things together!
Have further questions? Let us know how we can serve you better: LeadershipDir@emra.org.