Greetings from Orlando

I am in Orlando, Florida, attending the American Medical Association Interim Meeting. I have been here several days, participating in and observing the workings of this complex process. The Section Council on Emergency Medicine represents the interests of emergency physicians in this venue. The Section Council on Emergency Medicine includes:

John C. Moorhead, MD, FACEP, Chair
Nancy J. Auer, MD, FACEP
Michael D. Bishop, MD, FACEP
Brooks F. Bock, MD, FACEP
Stephen K. Epstein, MD, MPP, FACEP
Jo Linder, MD, FACEP
Richard L. Stennes, MD, FACEP
Jolie Holschen, MD, YPS Delegate
Keith Borg, MD, PhD, YPS Delegate
Camaran Roberts, MSS Delegate
Megan Quintinilla, MSS Delegate


Dr. Nicholas Jouriles, Dr. Linda Lawrence, and I represent the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians. There are emergency physicians involved in all levels of leadership in the AMA, as Delegates, as Alternate Delegates, and as members of the Board of Trustees.

The Section Council on Emergency Medicine and all interested emergency physicians met yesterday to discuss position and strategy relevant to AMA resolutions affecting emergency medicine. Approximately 116 resolutions and reports involve some aspect of emergency medicine, requiring careful consideration and response.

The House of Delegates officially opened yesterday with an emotionally charged tribute to AMA Past President Ronald M. Davis, MD, who died four days ago after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. Reference Committees meet today, hearing testimony from parties interested in the various resolutions. As of the time of this posting, emergency physicians were in attendance at all the reference committees, offering testimony on behalf of their colleagues. The Reference Committees will consolidate the information and produce recommendations in their reports tomorrow.