I think a lot of our members have been frustrated by mental health boarding. This is very close to my heart. We need to make sure that the emergency department is a safe environment for both our members and also the patients.

We’re moving some issues forward that should decrease boarding and improve the care to patients that see us in the emergency department. I know future presidents will continue these initiatives.

KK: Every ACEP president has important goals. However, when you get into your presidency, the issues of the day, the circumstances you encounter, are what identify some of your day-to-day priorities. What are some of the things that have come up that you never expected would be Paul Kivela’s to solve?

PK: An issue that has popped up that I never expected is communication. A great number of our members communicate via social media. I‘ve really taken on the role of trying to make sure that we communicate and address issues via social media in real time. The organization has moved in the right direction. We’re going to help bring the information to you, as opposed to you looking for it.

KK: What’s one example of one of those topics that has really been very timely in social media?

PK: The issue of REBOA [resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta] is a great example. We had previously come up with a consensus statement with a number of other organizations that talked about some issues on REBOA that were not consistent with some of our members’ views.

Via social media, that was brought to our attention, and we quickly responded. I think that shows how our organization can respond in a very quick and efficient manner.

KK: Something you said was really an important point: meeting the members where they are. As people start to consume information differently and they go to different modalities of communicating, we have to be nimble.

You’ve done an outstanding job of leading the organization to make sure that we are available and present on the platforms where our members want to communicate. You’ve significantly advanced ACEP’s communications in that regard.

We’re almost midway through the year. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

PK: We are reviewing every committee objective, nearly 300, making sure each benefits the members. Many are ongoing from year to year. We want to ensure that this work is productive and meaningful.