In a period of generational reform, emergency physicians sometimes need to be reminded that they’re the first—and last—line of defense for millions of Americans.

At ACEP16, they will get that reminder.

Dr. Sama

“We could talk about reform or change or just consider it evolution, or we can focus on leading and creating the paradigm change that will be the future of emergency care,” said Andrew Sama, MD, FACEP, chief executive officer of Progressive Emergency Physicians of Uniondale, New York. “Emergency medicine is the pinnacle of unscheduled acute care engagements. There are going to be more of them, which has been proven over time. They are going to be more complex and more specialized and more regionalized. The more we can support, educate, and organize emergency physicians to respond to that challenge and that change, the better (we) are going to be, and the better off the patients are going to be.”

That message will be the theme of this year’s Colin C. Rorrie Jr. Lecture, “The Value of Emergency Medicine,” set for 1:30 to 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. Dr. Sama will be joined in the panel discussion by ACEP Board of Directors member James Augustine, MD, FACEP; and John Holstein, director of business development for Zotec Partners of Carmel, Indiana, which provides revenue cycle and practice management services.

“I would like people to walk away recognizing how valuable and important emergency medicine is, especially in how they individually and collectively contribute to what I see as a very valuable healthcare system that we run in the United States,” Dr. Sama said.

Holstein

Holstein, who calls emergency physicians “American health care’s healing edge,” says that the sheer volume of patients the specialty treats makes it a linchpin in the country’s care delivery system.

“Every day at any moment emergency physicians face the entire spectrum of human accident, illness and/or infirmity, and they must be on top of their game,” he added. “On top of their game, first, clinically in providing the best care to their patients. Organizationally and more broadly…to efficiently and effectively care for their patients by getting them connected to the best and next provider in the care continuum.”