In the ACEP Strategic Plan for 2011-2014, the ACEP Board of Directors set the national benchmark for total membership increase at 3% annually. An innovative approach by the Texas chapter has seen success in membership growth and could be easily adopted by other chapters.

The marked increase in membership and participation that the Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP) has enjoyed during the previous 5 years can be directly attributed to its “EM Futures: Engaging Members, Developing Leaders” initiative.

Since 2006, TCEP has achieved annual growth of more than 5% with an all-time high of 1,587 total members. This year, the chapter anticipates membership growth of more than 11%.

This success is credited to EM Futures, which achieves several goals:

• Increases visibility and publicity for the specialty of emergency medicine.
• Provides opportunities for networking, leadership development, and mentorship for all participants.
• Increases membership, participation, and retention in ACEP, TCEP, and EMRA through increased awareness of value and benefit.

The EM Futures’ four programs target medical students, residents, young physicians, and active physician leaders.

Medical Student Leadership Initiative (MSLI)

The Medical Student Leadership Initiative was instituted in 2010. Since MSLI’s inception, medical student membership has increased by 48.7%, from 78 to 116 active members. MSLI contacts Emergency Medicine Interest Groups (EMIGs) across the state to host a meeting informing medical students of opportunities available to them in organized emergency medicine. Similar to the Residency Visits, the meetings conclude with an open panel Q&A session with state leaders in emergency medicine.

TCEP Residency Visit Program

The TCEP Residency Visit Program was instituted in 2006. Since the TCEP Residency Visit Program’s inception, resident membership in TCEP has increased by 69.4%, from 114 to 244 active members. TCEP coordinates lecture presentations on topics such as career development and advocacy, an open panel Q&A session with state leaders, and a networking breakfast and lunch. The program began with one visit in 2006, and currently boasts successful events at all nine residency programs in Texas.

TCEP Leadership and Advocacy Fellowship (TLAF)

The TCEP Leadership and Advocacy Fellowship was instituted in 2008. The fellowship is a yearlong program that mentors young physicians for future leadership positions in organized medicine. As ex-officio members of the TCEP Board of Directors, the fellows actively engage on a local, state, and national level at meetings, retreats, and conferences. During the past 4 years, 41 fellows have been trained. Our fellows continue to be active TCEP members, participating as leaders within their groups and hospitals, as well as in ACEP, EMRA, Texas Medical Association, and county medical societies.

TCEP Mentors Program

The TCEP Mentors Program was formalized in 2011 and serves as the backbone for the other programs. The database of TCEP Mentors, organized by region and containing 130 members, is a source of speakers for Residency Visits and MSLI meetings. TCEP Mentors also serve as formal advisers for young physicians, residents, and medical students interested in leadership opportunities and career development. Anticipating 3% annual growth in the database, the program provides greater opportunities for TCEP members each year.

TCEP is the fourth-largest state chapter in the United States and leads the nation in membership gains. The creation, implementation, and continued commitment to the EM Futures program is critical to TCEP’s membership gains, which consistently surpass the ACEP Board of Directors’ goal by nearly threefold annually.

These programs are reproducible and can be easily implemented by all state chapters. Starter kits are available at www.ACEP.org/ChapterMarketing and include detailed information and prewritten documents to facilitate institution of these programs across the nation.

Following national implementation of EM Futures, it is anticipated that accelerated membership and engagement of all members will lead to a stronger voice for our emergency patients.

Ms. Helbling and Ms. Shapiro are at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.