I remember that day in 2012 so well, when at ACEP's Scientific Assembly in Denver I took my seat amongst the EMRA board as your new vice speaker. These past two years have come with profound personal and professional changes, some of which I have shared with our members.
Professionally, I have completed residency; worked in two emergency medicine groups; was elected to the TCEP board; and, as a part-time attending, watched my first set of third-year residents graduate. It has been thrilling to experience the amazing variety of leadership roles that EMRA has afforded me. I remain amazed at how vibrant an organization EMRA remains. Its vitality is due to its dedicated members.
The EMRA Representative council has made great strides in the past two years. We have continued to push policies that impact the future of emergency medicine and physicians-in-training. Together, we have focused on the issues most important to our generation of emergency medicine physicians. We also have led the way on policy decisions – from the accreditation of ultrasound training to increasing GME funding.
Together, we continue to focus on the most important issues to our generation of emergency medicine physicians.
As I say goodbye as a leader to this organization that has given me so much, I realize how much my life has changed in the last two years. I vividly recall celebrating my board election victory by immediately calling my mother, who had always been my staunchest ally. Just last month, I said goodbye to my mum after a long battle with cancer. The pain of this year and the loss of my best friend, mentor, and mother has taken me away from being publicly visible, but I am eternally grateful for the outpouring of support from my EMRA family.
Finally, I would like to express my intense gratitude to your current vice speaker, and soon-to-be speaker, Dr. Anant Patel. He is a fearless, passionate leader who will take this organization to even greater heights. Anant has held the reigns during my personal leave this year, and I know no better person to continue to lead our representative council. I know the years ahead hold great things for the EMRA and its members. Thank you for your support, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.