NEWSLETTERNewsletter of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine May/June 2002 Volume XIIII, Number 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Myths Regarding theFederal Funding ofEmergency MedicineResearch

Compared to most academic medicalspecialties, emergency medicine isyoung and we are still working to estab-lish, and to understand, our place withinthe house of medicine. Of the threecomponents of the “triple threat” (clinical

care, clinical education, and research), we have achieved bothexcellence and confidence in two: clinical care and clinical educa-tion. While our status in the research arena may be unclear tosome, I believe our self image in this area is even more suspect.

The purpose of this column is to address our own perceptionsregarding the status of emergency medicine research, by dis-cussing some commonly-held beliefs or myths regarding federalsupport of emergency medicine research. The term “myth” isdefined by Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate dictionary as “…anill-founded belief held uncritically especially by an interestedgroup.” I believe many commonly-held beliefs regarding federalsupport of emergency medicine research are actually myths.Since we are clearly an interested group, the only way to dispel amyth is to look at it critically. Consider the following statements:

1. Federal agencies don’t like to fund clinical studies, especially inemergency medicine;

2. The NIH funds PhDs, not MDs;

3. Emergency medicine investigators are rarely successful insecuring federal funding for their research; and

4. Emergency medicine proposals, especially clinical research,will not be evaluated fairly nor will they be funded consistently,until the NIH has a study section devoted to emergency medi-cine.

I would assert that many academic emergency physicians,while they may not consciously believe these statements, eitherbelieve them at some level or at least behave as if they are true.Thus, I will spend the rest of this column exploring some of thedata available which bear directly on the veracity of these state-ments.

Consider the first statement. There is a common belief that theNIH, or at least its study sections (the panels of consultants whoevaluate and score applications), place tremendous emphasis onbasic science and, as a corollary, tend not to fund clinicalresearch. In fact, there probably was some truth to this belief inthe past. In response to both internal and external concerns

Roger Lewis

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SAEM NEWSLETTER

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Annual Business MeetingDuring the Annual Business Meeting in St. Louis on

May 20 Dr. Martin announced the results of the annualelections:

President-ElectDonald M. Yealy, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh

Secretary/TreasurerCarey D. Chisholm, MDIndiana University

Board of DirectorsJames G. Adams, MDNorthwestern University

Katherine L. Heilpern, MDEmory University

Donald J. Kosiak, Jr, MDMayo Graduate School of Medicine

Nominating CommitteeJill Baren, MDUniversity of Pennsylvania

Constitution and Bylaws CommitteeCatherine Marco, MDSt. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

In addition, James Hoekstra, MD, was appointed to aone-year term on the Board of Directors to complete Dr.Chisholm’s unexpired term that resulted upon Dr.Chisholm’s election as Secretary-treasurer.

Dr. Martin announced that all proposed Constitutionand Bylaws amendments had been overwhelminglyapproved by the membership.

The Young Investigator Awards were presented toEric Dickson, MD, University of Massachusetts, JamesGordon, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, andDaniel Morris, MD, Henry Ford Hospital. Awards werealso presented to Jason Borton, MD, the 2002-2003EMS Research Fellow, Robert Neumar, MD, Universityof Pennsylvania, recipient of the Institutional ResearchTraining Grant; Samuel Yang, MD, Johns HopkinsUniversity, recipient of the Resident Research YearGrant; Linda Papa, MD, University of Florida, recipient ofthe Scholarly Sabbatical Grant; Peter Panagos, MD,University of Cincinnati, recipient of the Neuroscience

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Geriatric Grant RecipientsAnnounced

SAEM is pleased to announce the two recipients of the2002 SAEM/ACEP Geriatric Emergency MedicineResident/Fellow Research Grants. Paul-Andre Abboud, MD,from the Denver Health Medical Center Residency inEmergency Medicine will survey elder patients’ attitudesregarding participation in resuscitation research. Dr.Abboud’s sponsor is Kennon Heard, MD. James R.Davidson, MD, and co-investigator Stephanie J. Evers, MD,from the Indiana University School of Medicine EmergencyMedicine Program will evaluate a technique for improvingcommunication between nursing homes and the emergencydepartment. Their sponsor is William H. Cordell, MD. Bothprojects will receive awards of $2500.

The SAEM/ACEP Geriatric Emergency MedicineResident/Fellow Research Grants are sponsored by theJohn A. Hartford Foundation and the American GeriatricSociety. The award is to support resident/fellow researchrelated to the emergency care of the older person.Investigations may focus on basic science research, clinicalresearch, preventive medicine, epidemiology, or educationaltopics.

AEM 2003 Consensus Conference: Disparities in ED Health CareCall for Papers – Deadline: March 1, 2003

Call for AdvisorsThe inaugural year for the SAEM Virtual Advisor Program

was a tremendous success. Almost 300 medical studentswere served. Most of them attended schools without an affil-iated EM residency program. Their “virtual” advisors servedas their only link to the specialty of Emergency Medicine.Some students hoped to learn more about a specific geo-graphic region, while others were anxious to contact an advi-sor whose special interest matched their own.

As the program increases in popularity, more advisorsare needed. New students are applying daily, and over 100remain unmatched! Please consider mentoring a future col-league by becoming a virtual advisor today. It is a brief timecommitment – most communication takes place via e-mail atyour convenience. Informative resources and articles thataddress topics of interest to your virtual advisees are avail-able on the SAEM medical student website. You can com-plete the short application on-line at http://www.saem.org/advisor/index.htm. Please encourage your colleagues tojoin you today as a virtual advisor.

CORD Meets in St. LouisThe Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors

(CORD) met in St. Louis on May 20. Louis S. Binder, MD,from MetroHealth Medical Center was elected to a three-year position on the Board of Directors. The CORD FacultyTeaching Award was presented to Barry J. Knapp, MD, fromEastern Virginia Medical School. The CORD ResidentAcademic Achievement Award was presented to DebraHoury, MD, MPH, from Denver Health. The next CORDmeeting will be held during the ACEP Scientific Assembly inSeattle on October 7.

Recipients of Visual DiagnosisContest Announced

During the 2002 Annual Meeting in St. Louis a VisualDiagnosis Contest was open to all residents and medicalstudents in attendance. The following winners are to be con-gratulated on their excellent diagnostic skills:Medical Student Winners: Cory J. Pitre, LSU/CharityHospital and Wame Waggenspack, LSU/New OrleansResident Winner: Chris Fee, MD, Highland Hospital

The medical student winners will receive a free AnnualMeeting registration to the 2003 Annual Meeting.

The resident winner will receive a textbook and a freeAnnual Meeting registration to the 2003 Annual Meeting.

The Editors of Academic Emergency Medicine announcethe 2003 AEM Consensus Conference on "Disparities inHealth Care" to be held on May 28, 2003 in Boston, the daybefore the SAEM Annual Meeting. Disparities in health careare likely to present both within the ED decision makingprocess and in the larger healthcare system. The USemergency departments might be important sources ofinformation about both facets. However, disparities need to berecognized in order to be addressed.

Do inequalities exist in our treatment of emergencypatients? If so, under what circumstances, at what level and forwhat reason? In the larger healthcare system there isevidence that people of color and women do not alwaysreceive the same level of care. Are such disparities real?When, why, how, do disparities occur? Who is at risk ofreceiving less than optimal care? What is the degree ofdisparity? How can disparity be eliminated? In a larger sense,what are the best ways to promote a highly reliable system oflow variability? Do we teach our residents to deliver disparatecare? How does the greater healthcare system contribute toreal or perceived disparities in ED management? Aredisparities sometimes due to systems incompetence? Is therea relationship between the degrees of inequality and degreesof system incompetence? How can we study these questions?What measures can be used? Most emergency physiciansassume that there should be no disparities in health care. If the

general public holds this believe as well, why has our societyhas not insisted upon the development of an equitable systemof healthcare?

The goals of the conference will be to examine thepresence, causes, and outcomes related to disparities ofhealthcare as they occur in emergency departments, anddetermine the degree to which forces from outside have animpact on our patients. The conference will aim to describemeans of defining, assessing, measuring, and researchingdisparities that may occur in emergency care. The hope is toestablish a research agenda for further assessment of these,and other related questions. The conference is a logicalprogression in the AEM consensus series, which has included"Errors in Emergency Medicine," "The Unraveling Safety Net," and " Assuring Quality."

We therefore issue this Call for Papers related to the topicof Disparities in ED Health Care. Submitted manuscriptsmust be received at the AEM editorial office by March 1,2003. Electronic submission to aem@saem.org of the originaland a blinded copy is required. Also include a cover letterindicating that the submission is in response to this Call.Accepted papers will be published in the late fall of 2003, alongwith Proceedings from the Consensus Conference. Questionscan be directed to Michelle Biros (biros001@maroon.tc.umn.edu) or Jim Adams (jadams@nmh.org).

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Everything I know I learned in…St. Louis

Ellen Weber, MDChair, SAEM Program CommitteeUniversity of California, San Francisco

Wednesday, May 22, 2002. I’m sitting on the 17th Floor ofthe Adam’s Mark Hotel, sipping a Cosmopolitan (these are sogood I may stay an extra week) and staring out over the top ofmy computer at the Jefferson Memorial Arch and theMississippi River. My head is spinning–but not from the height.In less than a week, my horizons have widened to include newpossibilities for teaching, practice, publishing, training, andresearch. In these few days I’ve learned new ways to advocatefor my patients, that getting an NIH grant is not only not impos-sible, but pretty darn feasible, that the NNT is just the recipro-cal of the absolute risk reduction (okay I should have knownthat). I am now skeptical about my hospitals’ emphasis onthroughput and the bottom line as it erodes the educationalprocess, I understand what homoscedasticity is (or at least Idid at the time), and that in fact, even a “senior” person likemyself might be eligible for a training grant. I know how to normthe group when I lead my team, and what a posterior probabil-ity is. (Are you dizzy yet?)

I was impressed and inspired by the depth and breadth ofour research presentations, and the sophistication of the workbeing done by our residents. The photo cases were tremen-dous—do you guys really see that stuff? And whether multi-media or simple teaching tools, the Innovations in EmergencyMedicine Education Exhibits were impressive for their creativi-ty and the time and energy they required.

The Annual Meeting continues to demonstrate what a cre-ative and energetic group academic emergency physiciansare, and the numerous ways we can use that energy toimprove the lives of our patients and future physicians. Thanksto those of you who came to share your research, your knowl-edge, your insight, and to all of you who listened, asked thequestions, and will take the messages home.

Best IEME Exhibit WinnerAnnounced

The SAEM Innovations in Emergency Medicine EducationExhibits are designed to highlight unique and innovative edu-cational advances in the specialty. This year the ProgramCommittee designed a separate “Call for IEME Exhibits” with adeadline significantly later than the abstract deadline. Inresponse, SAEM members submitted over 60 proposed IEMEExhibits for consideration. A subcommittee of the ProgramCommittee, chaired by Cathy Custalow, MD, PhD, reviewedthe Exhibits and 39 were selected for presentation at theAnnual Meeting in St. Louis. A score sheet was also devel-oped and in St. Louis, the Program Committee subcommitteevisited each IEME Exhibit and scored each Exhibit. TheProgram Committee is pleased to announce that Eric Savitskyfrom the University of California, Los Angeles, has beenselected as this year’s Best IEME Exhibit Award recipient. HisIEME Exhibit was entitled, “A Multimedia Web-based TraumaTutorial and an Interactive Multimedia procedure tutorial.” The39 IEME Exhibits presented in St. Louis will be published in anupcoming issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.

Annual Meeting Presentation AwardsAnnounced

The SAEM Program Committee is pleased to announcethe recipients of the Presentation Awards for the 2002 AnnualMeeting. Recipients will be recognized during the AnnualBusiness Meeting at the 2003 SAEM Annual Meeting inBoston. The awardees and their associated abstract citations(including title and co-authors) are listed below:

Faculty Clinical Science PresentationDebra Weiner, MD, PhD, Children's HospitalDebra L Weiner, Patricia L Hibberd, Peter Betit, and CarloBrugnara : Effectiveness and Safety of Inhaled Nitric Oxide forthe Treatment of Vasoocclusive Crisis in Sickle Cell Disease.Acad Emerg Med 2002 9: 487-488.

Faculty Basic Science PresentationRichard Summers, MD, University of MississippiRichard L Summers, Zizhuang Li, Domenic P Esposito, andDrew Hildebrandt: Effect of Delta Receptor Agonist onDuration of Survival During Hemorrhagic Shock. Acad EmergMed 2002 9: 504-505.Young Investigator PresentationDaniel Rusyniak, MD, Indiana UniversityDaniel E Rusyniak, Mark A Kirk, Jason D May, Louise W Kao,Julie L Welch, Edward J Brizendine, and Robert J Alonso:Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Acute Ischemic CerebralVascular Accidents: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Acad Emerg Med 2002 9: 445-446.

Basic Science Fellow PresentationMark Su, MD, New York University/Bellevue HospitalCenter Mark Su, Jason Chu, Mary Ann Howland, Lewis S Nelson, andRobert S Hoffman: Amiodarone (Ami) Attenuates Fluoride-induced Hyperkalemia in Human Erthrocytes (RBCs). AcadEmerg Med 2002 9: 485.

Clinical Science Fellow PresentationLinda Papa, MD, CM, CCFP, University of OttawaLinda Papa, Ian G Stiell, and George A Wells: Predicting Needfor Intervention in Renal Colic Patients after ED Discharge.Acad Emerg Med 2002 9: 361.

Clinical Science Resident PresentationJoe Suyama, MD, University of Cincinnati Joe Suyama, Edward J Otten, Matthew D Sztajnkrycer,Christopher Lindsell, Amy B Kressel, and Judith M Daniels:Surveillance of Infectious Disease Occurrences in theCommunity: An Analysis of Symptom Presentation in the ED.Acad Emerg Med 2002 9: 358-359.

Basic Science Resident PresentationSteven Bird, MD, University of Massachusetts Steven B Bird, Romolo J Gaspari, Won Jae Lee, and Eric WDickson: Diphenhydramine as a Protective Agent in SevereOrganophosphate Poisoning. Acad Emerg Med 2002 9: 357-358.

Medical Student PresentationJames Frederick, BA, University of PennsylvaniaJames R Frederick and Robert W Neumar: Delayed Inhibitionof Calpain Activity after Global Brain Ischemia. Acad EmergMed 2002 9: 443.

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Semi-Final CPC Competition ResultsOn May 18, fifty Emergency Medicine Residency Programs

competed in the Twelfth Annual Semi-Final CPC Competition.A resident from each participating program submitted a chal-lenging unknown case for discussion by an attending fromanother residency program. The faculty discussant had 20minutes to develop a differential diagnosis and explain thethought process leading to the final diagnosis.

Winning presenters and discussants were selected fromeach of five tracks and these individuals will represent thosetracks at the national competition. The CPC finals will be heldat the ACEP Scientific Assembly in Seattle on October 7. It isnot necessary to register for the Scientific Assembly if you planonly to attend the CPC. The CPC Competition is sponsored byACEP, CORD, EMRA, and SAEM.

Congratulations to the 2002 winners!

Division ABest Presenter, Winny Hung, MD, Brown UniversityBest Discussant, Peter Peacock, MD, State University ofNew York Downstate Brooklyn

Division BBest Presenter, Dylan Luyten, MD, Denver Health MedicalCenter Best Discussant, Eric Katz, MD, Washington University, St.Louis

Division CBest Presenter, Donald Jeanmonod, MD, Baystate MedicalCenter Best Discussant, E. Parker Hays, MD, Carolinas MedicalCenter

Division DBest Presenter, Doug Williamson, MD, University ofCalifornia, Irvine Best Discussant, Eric Gross, MD, Maricopa Medical Center

Division EBest Presenter, Alec Walker, MD, Sinai-Grace Hospital/Wayne State UniversityBest Discussant, Robert Reiser, MD, University of Virginia

ABEM Call for Nominations As a sponsoring organization of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), SAEM will develop a slate of nominees

to submit to the ABEM Nominating Committee for consideration of the three or four seats that will be filled by election by the ABEMBoard at its winter 2003 Board meeting. SAEM members wishing to be considered for the SAEM slate of nominees are invitedto send a nomination to SAEM at saem@saem.org. The deadline is September 6, 2002.

Nominations should include a current copy of the nominee’s curriculum vita, as well as a cover letter outlining the nominee’squalifications.

The SAEM Board of Directors will review all nominations and submit a slate of nominees to ABEM by December 1, 2002.Successful candidates are expected to be members of SAEM with considerable experience in SAEM and academic EM, as wellas experience in ABEM. The SAEM Board does not nominate current members of the SAEM Board for consideration. In addi-tion, ABEM has established the following criteria for nominated physicians:

� Be a graduate of an ACGME-accredited EM residency program.� Be an ABEM diplomate for a minimum of ten years.� Have demonstrated extensive active involvement in organized EM. Ideally, this includes long-term experience as an ABEM

item writer, oral examiner, or ABEM-appointed representative.� Be actively involved in the clinical practice of EM.

Physicians selected for the SAEM slate of nominees will be notified in October or November and will be required to submit theofficial ABEM nomination form, curriculum vita, and letter noting their willingness to serve if elected.

It is important to note that all organizations and individuals are invited to participate in the ABEM nomination process and fur-ther information can be obtained through the ABEM web site at www.abem.org. This Call for Nominations is published for theexpress purpose of developing the official SAEM slate of nominees.

Emergency Medicine Activities at the AAMC Annual MeetingThe Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) and SAEM have developed a presentation and

panel discussion to be held on Sunday, November 10, 2002 during the AAMC Annual meeting. The sessions will be held atthe San Francisco Hilton Hotel.

All emergency physicians are invited to attend any of the sessions at no charge. However, pre-registration for lunch isrequired. You can register for lunch via email at saem@saem.org. Contact the SAEM office with any questions.

The sessions begin at 8:00 am with a presentation entitled “ED Overcrowding: Threat to EM Residency Training”, spon-sored by SAEM. At 9:45 am, John Moorhead, MD, will speak on “Workforce Issues in Emergency Medicine”. Dr. Moorheadis a past-President of ACEP and currently heads their Workforce Taskforce. At 10:45 am, AACEM will hold its Businessmeeting and from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, lunch will be provided. Once again, all emergency medicine physicians are wel-come to attend.

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Scholarly Sabbatical Award Recipient UpdateDaniel Davis, MDUniversity of California, San DiegoSAEM Scholarly Sabbatical Grant Recipient, 2001-2002

It is commonly said that the steepestportion of the learning curve occurs dur-ing medical school. As I near comple-tion of my Scholarly Sabbatical Grantyear, I now recognize that the most chal-lenging period of my education has justbegun. My original intent was to gainexposure to basic science researchthrough a simple set of experiments thatwere part of a larger ongoing and morecomplex project in the field of brainischemia – the research equivalent of a“sampler platter”. Instead, the experi-ence has awakened within me a thirstfor knowledge and discovery that onlybasic science research can quench.While that might be a bit over drama-tized, I must admit that I did not antici-pate the immense satisfaction and fulfill-ment that this experience has providedme. Once beyond the daunting task oflearning the “language” of the laborato-ry, including such foreign terms as “poly-merase chain reaction” and “in-situhybridization,” I found the experienceanalogous to living in the DiscoveryChannel, with a fascinating set of scien-tific problems and their potential solu-tions each week. Here I will attempt tochronicle my experiences and, hopeful-ly, inspire other young investigators tofollow a similar path.

My interest in brain injury led me out-side of our own department and to Dr.Piyush Patel, an established, NIH-fund-ed researcher in the Department ofAnesthesia. Dr. Patel has extensiveexperience serving as a mentor and hasreceived the AnesthesiologyDepartment’s teaching award multipletimes. His willingness to reach beyondthe boundaries of his own specialty tonurture my career and his generosity inmaking available to me any necessaryresources are debts I can never repay.The experiments detailed in my grantapplication were part of an ongoing proj-ect to define the relative roles of necro-sis and apoptosis in ischemic braininjury and to test a strategy combininganti-excitotoxic and anti-apoptotic thera-pies to prevent neuronal damage in arodent model of focal ischemia.

While these experiments were theperfect introduction to animal-basedresearch techniques, my creative inputwas limited since the protocols hadalready been defined and the expectedoutcomes were virtually guaranteed due

to the extensive preliminary work thatled to Dr. Patel’s NIH grant. Once Dr.Patel recognized my appetite for basicscience research, however, he offeredme the role as principal investigator on aproject using an innovative technique –oligonucleotide microarray analysis – toinvestigate neuronal ischemic precondi-tioning, a phenomenon in which sub-lethal ischemia confers temporary pro-tection against subsequent lethalischemic insults. This represented anideal opportunity for a hungry younginvestigator with some time, energy, andan aptitude for mathematics. Themicroarray chip allows the expression of8,800 genes to be measured simultane-ously, with multiple chips able to repre-sent an indefinite number of time points.This powerful new tool represents animportant direction in the future ofgenetic research; however, the optimalapproach to analyzing the volumes ofdata generated has not yet beendefined. Thus, I had the unique oppor-tunity to “play” with the numbers anddevelop a unique but ultimately fruitfulstrategy for filtering data to identify rele-vant genes and expression patterns.We anticipate that this project will ulti-mately lead to NIH grant funding, help-ing to ensure my future as a basic sci-ence researcher.

Working in the University ofCalifornia, San Diego (UCSD)Neuroanesthesia Laboratory with Dr.Patel allowed me to develop a closeworking relationship with other investi-gators under his tutelage. This not onlycreated a spirit of camaraderie but alsoled to collaboration on several relatedprojects. Dr. Satoki Inoue, a younganesthesiologist from Japan, came toUCSD to work with Dr. Patel on a projectthat will define the role of c-fos, a tran-scription factor that appears early fol-lowing an ischemic insult, in regulatingthe gene transcription that ultimatelyleads to ischemic tolerance. To assisthim in this endeavor, I learned to per-form Western blots and immunohisto-chemistry. Ultimately, we intend to blockischemic tolerance using oligonu-cleotide antisense strands to c-fos andidentify changes in both gene expres-sion and the induction of ischemic toler-ance following sublethal ischemia.

The background reading required forthe above projects led me to an interest-

ing group of regulatory proteins knownas decoy receptors, a term used todescribe the mutant forms of severalapoptosis-related receptors. Instead ofbeing eliminated through evolutionarypressures, the decoy receptors haveinstead been retained as competitiveinhibitors of the parent receptors to reg-ulate apoptosis. Previously thought tobe important only during developmentand with certain tumors, apoptosis hasrecently been implicated in the patho-physiology of neurologic diseases suchas Alzheimer’s and stroke. After recog-nizing that the time course for neuronalischemic preconditioning is similar tothat for other receptor-mediatedprocesses, I postulated that decoyreceptors might play a role in mediatingischemic tolerance following sublethalischemia. Dr. Patel was willing to sup-port my diversions, leading to a series ofpilot projects with promising – albeitvery preliminary – results demonstratingan upregulation of decoy receptors fol-lowing sublethal ischemia.

Although my main goal for the sab-batical year was to learn basic sciencetechniques, I was able to pursue clinicalresearch opportunities with some of therelease time afforded by the grant. Forthe past three-and-a-half years, SanDiego has been studying the effect ofparamedic RSI on severe traumaticbrain injury. I was first involved in thisambitious project as a junior resident,when I helped design a video to teachparamedics GCS scoring and a fieldneurologic exam. Dr. David Hoyt is aUCSD trauma surgeon and one of theprincipal investigators for this trial, andour relationship extends back to mymedical school days. He has alwaysbeen a staunch supporter of my careerand offered me the role as lead authoron a number of the papers being gener-ated by this trial. The timing was perfect,as the main analyses were to be per-formed during my sabbatical period.Thus, an added bonus of the grant wasthe opportunity to participate in thisimportant clinical research project ontraumatic brain injury that nicely com-plements my work in the lab.

It should now be apparent to anyonereading this far into the essay that aperiod of time dedicated to acquiringbasic research skills can be incrediblyproductive and rewarding, even when

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AEM Activities at the 2002 SAEM Annual MeetingMichelle H. Biros, MD, MSHennepin County Medical CenterEditor-in-Chief, Academic Emergency Medicine

AEM Consensus Conference 2002The 2002 AEM Consensus

Conference was held on May 18, 2002in St. Louis. This year’s topic was“Assuring Quality in EmergencyMedicine.” This conference was the thirdConsensus Conference developed byAEM and co-sponsored by SAEM. Thetopic was a logical progression from theprevious conferences on “Errors inEmergency Medicine” and “TheUnraveling Safety Net”. It also dove-tailed well with the ConsensusConference developed by CORD held inMarch on “ Best Practices / CoreCompetencies”.

The goals of the “Assuring Quality inEmergency Medicine” conference wereto critically evaluate how the quality ofemergency health care can be meas-ured and quality care can be taught, toidentify strategies most pertinent tostudying and improving the quality ofhealthcare in emergency medicine, todiscuss the importance of qualitymeasures with key stakeholders bothwithin and outside of our specialty, andto develop a health services researchagenda for improving the quality of carein emergency medicine.

The conference was developed byJim Adams, Michelle Biros, Dave Cone,Roger Lewis, and Bob Wears under theexcellent leadership of Art Sanders.Over 70 individuals attended the daylong session. Ken Kizer, MD, MPH, thePresident and CEO of the NationalQuality Forum, delivered the PlenaryAddress regarding “What is Quality andWhy are we Interested in it?” HelenBurstin, MD, MPH, of the Agency forHealthcare Research and Quality pre-sented the Keynote Address on thetopic, “Crossing the Quality Chasm.” Aseries of breakout sessions were held,including discussions on measuring andimproving the quality of care, theresearching of quality, quality and edu-cation, quality in clinical practice and

quality in education. The small groupswere lead by prominent researchers,educators and clinicians, with recog-nized expertise in quality assurance andresearch. I gratefully acknowledge thehard work and contributions of BrentAsplin, Jim Augustine, Randall Case,Carey Chisholm, Pat Croskerry, SteveDavidson, Jo Anne Foody, Louis Graff,Robert Lowe, Dave Magid, Sue Nedza,Dan Spaite, Carl Stevens and JohnVinen to the success of this meeting.The proceedings of this conference, aswell as a number of original papersrelated to quality care and its research,will be published in the November 2002issue of AEM. This issue will alsoinclude the proceedings of the CORDConsensus Conference, and originalcontributions related to the teaching andevaluation of core competencies andbest practices in emergency medicine.Planning for the AEM ConsensusConference 2003

The AEM editors have chosen thetopic of “Disparities in EmergencyHealth Care” for the 2003 Conference,to be held on May 28, 2003. Disparitiesin heath care are likely to be presentwithin the ED decision making processand in the larger healthcare system. OurConsensus Conference will attempt todevelop a research agenda on dispari-ties in emergency healthcare, by deter-mining how to define, measure, andteach about health care disparities with-in emergency medicine, how toresearch the occurrence of such dispar-ities, and how to identify root causes.Planning will occur over the summer.We are soliciting nominations for leader-ship and other participation for this con-ference. Leaders will be expected toassist in the planning and developmentof the meeting, assist the editors in theselection and editing of original manu-scripts received in response to a call forpapers about disparities in emergencyhealth care, and coordinate the develop-

ment of proceedings papers followingthe conference. The SAEM membershipis invited to nominate qualified individu-als, from both within or outside of ourspecialty, for this important task. Pleasesend nominations to Michelle Biros orJim Adams by August 15, 2002.Nominations should be sent to the AEMoffice at aem@saem.org. We will alsoissue a call for papers on disparities inemergency health care, due March 1,2003 (for more information, see the Callin this issue of the Newsletter). Theselected original contributions and theproceedings of this conference will bepublished in the Consensus ConferenceIssue of AEM, in November 2003.AEM Editorial Board Changes

The following editors rotated off theAEM Editorial Board in May 2002:Chuck Cairns, Carlos Camargo, SteveDronen, John Gallagher, JuddHollander, Andy Jagoda, Joe LaMantia,Ed Panacek and Kathy Shaw. We areindebted to them for their years of out-standing service, which we firmlybelieve have enhanced the quality andenergy of our journal, and we look for-ward to continued interactions withthem in the future. We also welcomeour new editors: Mike Blaivas, RitaCydulka, Sue Fuchs, Gary Green, BobO’Connor, Gene Pesola and Brian Zink.Their contributions will continue to helpthe journal grow and we anticipate manyfruitful collaborations with this stellargroup.AEM Reviewers’ Workshop

The 2002 AEM Reviewers workshopwas attended by 65 participants in St.Louis. The topic of presentations was“The Life and Death of Manuscripts;Reviewer’s Rules of the Road”, whichwas presented by Michelle Biros.Suggestions for topics for next year’sworkshop are now being solicited fromour reviewers. Please send your sug-gestions to the AEM office ataem@saem.org by August 15, 2002.

EMF Directed Research Award in Acute Congestive Heart FailureDeadline: September 9, 2002

The Emergency Medicine Foundation is pleased toannounce the Acute Congestive Heart Failure Award Program.The Program awards up to two $25,000 awards for researchprojects to be conducted over a one-year funding period. Thegrants are awarded to experienced researchers in congestive

heart failure treatment. This program is funded in full by Scios,Inc. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 9,2002. Notification of the award will be November 4 and thefunding period will be January 1, 2003- December 31, 2003.For more information contact EMF at www.acep.org.

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SAEM Faculty Development Website<http://www.saem.org/facdev/index.htm>

John Gallagher, MDMontefiore Medical CenterChair, Faculty Development Committee, 2000-2002

The development of a successfulcareer in academic medicine is predi-cated upon the systematic accumulationof a body of scholarly work. Typically,this effort is concentrated in one of fouroverlapping scholarly domains: That ofdiscovery, integration, application, orteaching. This classification of scholar-ship, originally proposed more than adecade ago by The CarnegieFoundation, and subsequently adoptedby the Council of Academic Societies(CAS) of the Association of AmericanMedical Colleges (AAMC), constitutesthe primary organizational frameworkfor the SAEM Faculty DevelopmentWebsite.Scholarship

The four types of scholarship can bedefined briefly as follows:

1. The scholarship of discovery isthat of original research. This is the pre-dominant form of scholarship that hastraditionally found greatest favor withmedical institutions during the latter halfof the 20th century.

2. The scholarship of integration isthat of trans-disciplinary merger of infor-mation from disparate branches of sci-ence and medicine, with the goal of for-mulating creative and novel insights.

3. Closely allied to the scholarship ofintegration is the scholarship of applica-tion, which bridges the gap betweentheory and practice by bringing newinformation to bear on practical prob-lem-solving, e.g., bench to bedsidetranslocation of knowledge.

4. Finally, there is the scholarship ofteaching, which requires intelligiblecommunication of valid and reliableinformation, coupled with thoughtful andcoherent reasoning from a knowledge-able source, to students, younger physi-cians, and other colleagues.

Thus, scholars discover new knowl-edge, synthesize new knowledgethrough integration of prior knowledge,apply new knowledge to the solution ofold problems, and teach new knowledgeto others.

As articulated clearly in the Society’smission statement, SAEM is dedicatedto the advancement of all four domainsof scholarship, each in the service ofimproving the care we provide to ourpatients.

The Website and the accompanyinge-version of the Faculty DevelopmentHandbook are companion pieces, devel-oped in parallel by the FacultyDevelopment Committee at the requestof the Board of Directors. Taken togeth-er, the Website and Handbook areintended to serve as a complementaryand evolving repository of informationfor Emergency Medicine faculty seekingideas and assistance in advancing theirscholarly interests and academiccareers.Organization of the Website

At the present time, the site containsthe following components:

1. The Faculty DevelopmentHandbook, first edition, is a two-yearwork in progress nearing completion.The 40-chapter Handbook is a joint proj-ect of the SAEM Faculty DevelopmentCommittee and the Association ofAcademic Chairs of EmergencyMedicine (AACEM). The focus of theHandbook is more circumscribed thanthe Academic Career Guide (seebelow), in the sense that the Handbookis aimed exclusively at full-timeEmergency Medicine faculty. In contrast,the Academic Career Guide was target-ed at a broader audience, including stu-dents and residents, in addition to facul-ty.

2. The Academic Career Guide, 2nd

edition, which was cosponsored bySAEM and EMRA, and edited byHobgood and Zink, contains 15 chap-ters fundamental to building an academ-ic career. This 2000 edition is an excel-lent, thoughtfully-written, well-organ-ized, lucid, and much-expanded versionof the first edition of the Guide, original-ly published in 1992.

3. The webpage entitled AcademicPromotion: The Clinical Track, focusesupon the scholarship of teaching. Thispage also provides a status report onthe development of clinical tracks withinU.S. medical schools, describes thecontent and construction of the educa-tor’s teaching portfolio, reviews theexperiences of various medical institu-tions with the clinical track, and exam-ines methods of measuring academiccontributions of clinical faculty to theoverall mission of medical schools andacademic health centers.

4. The webpage entitled AcademicPromotion: The Traditional Track, targetsthe clinician-scientist engaged in thescholarship of application, and to a less-er extent the scholarship of integrationor discovery. This site provides a work-ing definition of clinical investigation,contrasting it with the other major com-ponent of the Traditional track, i.e., thatof basic scientific research and its schol-arly domain of discovery. The site alsoreviews the severe shortage of clinicalinvestigators in all disciplines andexplores current impediments to thedevelopment of clinician-scientists, par-ticularly in Emergency Medicine. Theimportance of obtaining specializedtraining in clinical investigation isemphasized, and various means ofachieving this goal are presented.Funding opportunities in both the publicand private sector are described, withan emphasis on NIH funding mecha-nisms and grantsmanship. Finally, thestatus of tenure in the traditional track isexamined. The Traditional Track websitecloses with three pieces on research asa career in Emergency Medicine, writtenby emergency physicians who havebeen, and continue to be, successfulinvestigators.

5. Faculty development targeted atMinorities, particularly under-represent-ed minorities, also has a major link fromthe Faculty Development homepage.This section examines the difficultiesunder-represented minorities havefaced, and continue to face, in obtainingguidance in academic career develop-ment. This is followed by links to suchresources as The National Center onMinority Health and Health Disparities(NCMHD) loan-forgiveness program,the Minority Research InfrastructureSupport Program (M-RISP), the K01Mentored Minority Faculty DevelopmentAward, the Institute for Minority Faculty(funded through AHRQ), and theMinority Medical Faculty DevelopmentProgram (MMFDP).

6. Similar to the above, there is asection of the website specifically perti-nent to faculty development amongwomen. The first series of links on thissite are to selected portions of an excel-lent 150-page monograph from theAAMC that explores and summarizes

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Scholarly Sabbatical Award(Continued)working a half-time clinical load. I antic-ipate a dozen peer-reviewed manu-scripts to be generated as a result of thesabbatical, with an even greater numberof conference presentations andabstracts. More importantly, this yearhas opened the door to a futureresearch career combining laboratoryand clinical investigations and (hopeful-ly!) sustainable grant funding. The yearhas been somewhat humbling as well,as the old axiom that “the more youlearn, the less you know” proved itself asaccurate as ever. And finally, the yearhas made me recognize how dependentwe are upon those that have comebefore us, not only intellectually but spir-itually as well. Thus, it is my sincerehope that future investigators at thebeginning of their own research careerswill approach me for guidance and inspi-ration.

Ultrasound Image Bank Now AvailablePatrick Hunt, MDRichland Memorial HospitalSAEM Ultrasound Interest Group

The SAEM Ultrasound InterestGroup is pleased to announce thedevelopment of a web based teachingtool for ultrasound. The website allowsmembers to view and download ultra-sound images to use for non-profitteaching purposes. Members may alsoregister on the site and will be able tosubmit images and case descriptions forposting. All images and case descrip-tions are peer reviewed prior to postingon the website to ensure the highestquality teaching tool possible. Editorswill add comments to the cases asneeded. The URL for the website ishttp://ultrasound.saem.org.

General Instructions for Use1. You do not have to register to view

the cases or to download images.2.You are required to register to sub-

mit a case for posting to the website3. Images downloaded from the site

may only be used for non-profit teachingand/or personal use.

4. You may search for images by cat-egory or by keyword searches (e.g.FAST, trauma, or aorta)

5. Images submitted to the siteshould be less than 100Kb each andshould be in .jpeg format.

On your first visit to the website weencourage you to browse the site. You

will notice a navigation bar on the left-hand side of the site. Use these links tomove around the site. The first threepages (Categories, Text Search andContact Us) can be accessed withoutbeing a registered member. You canview all the cases in the database usingthese tabs, and download images byright clicking on an image. If you haveany questions or suggestions you maysubmit them to the editor using theContact Us link.

Once you have browsed the websiteand you are ready to upload a case youwill need to register. Just click the regis-ter link and begin the registrationprocess. Complete all the requestedinformation and select a password, thensubmit the form. All information is keptprivate and is used only to identify userswhen they log in and to contact them ifwe have questions regarding submis-sions. After you have registered you willsee a list of guidelines for case submis-sion and a link to the case submissionpage. Clicking the case submission linkwill take you directly to the case submis-sion form, however prior to opening thispage you will be ask to enter the user-name and password you just registered.Submitting a Case

Once you have reached the casesubmission form, fill in all the requested

information and continue to the imageselection page. Depending on the num-ber of images you selected you will beask to browse your hard drive for eachimage (.jpeg format.) Once all imageshave been located and selected you cancontinue to the case review page and ifall the information is correct then youcan upload the case. Once a case isuploaded the section editor will be noti-fied and will review the case. If the caseis accepted the section editor may makecomments about the case in thedescription section. You will be notifiedby email once your case has beenaccepted. If your case is not acceptedyou will also be notified and suggestionsfor changes will be given. Please bepatient, as section editors are all prac-ticing clinicians volunteering their time toreview cases.Final Points

If you log in on a public computer besure to shut the machine down whenyou are finished to clear your login. Ifyou have difficulty logging in try using acomputer that is not behind a firewall. Ifyou have any questions or suggestionsplease let us know as we want this to bethe finest collection of images availableonline.

AACEM Elections HeldThe Association of Academic Chairs

of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) heldits Annual Meeting and elections in St.Louis on May 18. During the meetingFrank Counselman, MD, Chair of theDepartment of Emergency Medicine atthe Eastern Virginia University beganhis term as AACEM President, suc-ceeding John Gallagher, MD, Chair ofthe Department of Emergency Medicineat the Montefiore Medical Center. JerrisHedges, MD, MS, Chair of theDepartment of Emergency Medicine atOregon Health and Science Universitywas elected President Elect. StephenHargarten, MD, MPH, Chair of theDepartment of Emergency Medicine atthe Medical College of Wisconsin waselected Secretary/Treasurer.

Medical StudentInterest Group GrantsDeadline: September 4, 2002

SAEM recognizes the valuable role ofEM Medical Student Interest Groups tothe specialty and has established grantsof up to $500 each to help support thesegroups' educational activities.Established or developing clubs, locatedat medical schools with or without EMresidencies are eligible to apply. Thedeadline for this year's grants isSeptember 4, 2002. Applications can beobtained at www.saem.org or from theSAEM office. Information on the grantsapproved for funding earlier this yearcan be found in the January/February2002 issue of the SAEM Newsletter. Inaddition two articles in this issue of theNewsletter describe recipients’ use oftheir grant funds.

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HP2010 EM Residency Lecture DevelopedCarlos Camargo, MDMassachusetts General HospitalChair, SAEM Public Health Task Force

The SAEM Public Health Task Forcehas developed a lecture titled "HealthyPeople 2010 - Emergency MedicineModule." It was developed to introduceemergency physicians to HealthyPeople 2010 (HP2010). HP2010 is theprevention agenda for the Nation, andSAEM provided input into the develop-ment of this important public health doc-ument. Indeed, many of the HP2010objectives are directly related to EM.

On behalf of the SAEM Board of

Directors, I am encouraging an interest-ed resident or faculty member fromevery EM residency to give this lecturein the next few months. The presenta-tion, and two accompanying question-naires, are available for download on theHP2010 section of the SAEM websitewww.saem.org. Detailed lecture notesand internet links will help presenters tobecome familiar with the material. Also,members of the SAEM Public HealthTask Force – Dominic Borgiallo at bor-

giall@msu.edu and Carlos Camargo at ccamargo@partners.org – are availablefor advice or assistance as needed.

Please encourage someone fromyour program to give this lecture in thenear future. In four pilot presentationsearlier this year, the majority of resi-dents rated the information as "veryuseful." I personally believe that theinformation in this presentation is vital tothe training of every EM resident.

Emergency Medicine Interest Group Grant ReportDarrin B. LetsingerLouisiana State University, New Orleans

On January of this year, SAEMawarded the LSU Medical School inNew Orleans Emergency MedicineInterest Group (EMIG) chapter a grantof $500 to fund clinical skills workshopsthat our chapter conducts. The EMIGClinical Skills Workshops weredesigned to give students practicalexperience suturing, IV/venipuncture,and splinting in a low pressure environ-ment that would foster learning andunderstanding before being faced withan actual patient. Our workshops aredesigned around an instructional set ofvideos and checklists that dictate astandard by which all students aretaught. The EM residency directorreviewed all videos and approved theircontent, as well as the checklists andinstructional handouts that are circulat-ed before teaching sessions. After tak-ing a pretest to assure students reviewrequired videos, we collect fees onlyadequate to cover the cost of the indi-vidual’s supplies. Students watch avideo segment and are then paired withanother student and a student-proctor.Students taking the course interview theproctor as if they are a patient and per-form the procedure on their fellow stu-dent taking the course. Proctors use thecourse checklist to ensure that the stu-dents perform to standard. After com-pleting the workshop, students fill out acourse evaluation that is kept confiden-tial from the proctors.

Our largest expenditure ($1100) wascreating instructional videos. Thesevideos were instrumental in ensuring

that a standard satisfactory to the EMResidency Director could be maintainedwith student proctors/instructors. Wehave conducted few (two with six stu-dents each) suturing classes becauseof limited cadavers late in the academicyear, splinting classes (forty students @$10ea), and IV/venipuncture classes(36 students @ $7.50ea). Using thepost-workshop evaluations as a gauge,success has been very encouraging.Students rate their understanding of theskills taught and comfort level if havingto perform these procedures on patientsas excellent. They enjoy interacting witha proctor as a patient to learn pertinentpatient skills. Students value our deci-sion to use materials in the workshopsthat are identical to those used in theclinical setting. Participants unanimous-ly praise the use of small groups (twostudents to one student-proctor) in lieuof large teaching groups.

In summary, our progress this yearwas slow at first secondary to the desireto produce a video that was of highquality to set the standard of care. Ournumber of participants completing theseworkshops may appear to be small, butwe limit each workshop to no more that16 students (to preserve a low studentto proctor ratio). Often times, tests andclinical rotations limit enrollment to lessthan sixteen students per class, but wefind that participants enjoy a small groupworkshop more and are more quicklyinteractive. The only criticisms that wehave encountered are that studentsmust pay to participate (but all who com-

mented said the experience was wellworth the investment), the time of thecourse (2-3 hours; but the studentsagain see value in the duration), and thepretest (we still see the utility of makingsure material is reviewed before theworkshop).

Next year we plan to hold sutureworkshops for the first half of the aca-demic year (while cadavers are readilyavailable) until all interested have hadthe opportunity to participate. After allinterested in suture workshops haveparticipated, we will offer splinting andIV/venipuncture workshops untildemand has been met. We hope toexpand the clinical skills workshops nextyear to include other skills such as C-spine immobilization. Since our videoshave been produced and paid for withEMIG surplus and the SAEM Grant, wehope to be selected for a SAEM grantnext academic year to purchase IV/venipuncture arms so that students canpractice their technique before perform-ing the procedure on their peer.

Our thanks to SAEM for the grantaward. As a student organization, fund-ing for large projects such as productionof an instructional video or instructionalaids can cause the failure of worthwhileprojects such as this one. After takingthese workshops, many students havevolunteered in the ED with the sole pur-pose of putting their skills to use. Weare pleased that these workshops givestudents confidence and competencebefore being faced with initial patientencounters.

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New England Regional Meeting ReportRobert Dart, MDBoston Medical CenterChair, SAEM New England Regional Meeting

This year’s 6th Annual New EnglandRegional SAEM Meeting was held onApril 3, 2002 in Shrewsbury, MA andwas hosted by the EmergencyMedicine Residency Program at BostonUniversity School of Medicine. All eightEmergency Medicine ResidencyPrograms from the six New EnglandStates participated in the conference.Some residency programs cancelledtheir residency conference day toencourage residents to attend the meet-ing. A small number of abstracts fromNew York were also presented. It wasour largest turnout yet with a total of 162registered participants. A total of 81abstracts were presented.

The conference began with openingremarks by Robert Dart, MD, ResearchDirector for the host institution, followedby the keynote speaker, Ian Stiell MD,MSc, FRCPC, Chair of EmergencyMedicine Research at the OttawaHealth Research Institute in OttawaCanada. His interesting and entertainingpresentation, “How to Succeed inEmergency Medicine Research” wasvery well received by the audience. Theremainder of the morning session con-sisted of four oral presentations, fol-lowed by the first poster session.

A medical student luncheon titled,“Academic Emergency Medicine, Is ItRight For You?” was given by RobertDart, MD in an informal interactive for-mat. The afternoon session began withthe second poster session followed bythe remaining oral presentations. Theday concluded by an awards ceremonywith closing remarks given by Dr. Stiell.

The following oral presentersreceived Excellence in ResearchAwards:

Traci Thoureen, MD, Yale UniversitySchool of Medicine. “Safety EquipmentUse and Safety Counseling for ChildrenWho Own Bicycles, Skateboards, In-lineSkates and Scooters”

Nathan Shapiro, MD, Harvard UniversitySchool of Medicine/Beth Israel Hospital,“Mortality in Emergency DepartmentSepsis (MEDS): A ProspectivelyDerived and Validated ClinicalPrediction Rule”

Jill Ripper, MD, University ofConnecticut School of Medicine/Hartford Hospital, “Post-Sexual AssaultProphylaxis Study: A Nationwide Survey

of Emergency Physicians”

Steve Bird, MD, University ofMassachusetts Medical Center/University of Massachusetts School ofMedicine, “Diphenhydramine as aProtective Agent in SevereOrganophosphate Poisoning”

Christopher Bowe, MD, Maine MedicalCenter, “The Effect of Arm Traction onThe Adequacy of Lateral Cervical SpineRadiographs”

Rishi Sikka, MD, Boston MedicalCenter/Boston University School ofMedicine, “A Pharmacy Claims DerivedMeasure of Short-Term Oral SteroidUse is Associated with Self-ReportedEmergency Department Visits andHospitalizations for Asthma”

Tim Mader, MD, Baystate MedicalCenter, “Aminophylline in Atropine-Resistant Asystolic Out-Of-HospitalCardiac Arrest”

Selim Suner, MD, Brown UniversitySchool of Medicine/Rhode IslandHospital, “Injuries Among WorkersDuring the 2001 World Trade CenterRescue and Recovery Mission”

The New England Regional Meetingcontinues to grow each year. MaineMedical Center eagerly looks forward tohosting next year’s conference.The con-ference will be coordinated by Dr. JohnBurton (burtoj@mail.mcc.org) and TaniaStrout, RN (strout@mmc.org). With thecontinued support from all of the NewEngland Residency Programs, we hopeto foster the development and productiv-ity of new researchers in emergencymedicine.

Second New York StateRegional Conference

HeldRama Rao, MDNew York University/Bellevue HospitalCenterChair, SAEM New York RegionalMeeting

The Emergency Medicine ResidencyProgram at Bellevue Hospital Center/New York University Medical Center ispleased to report the great success ofthe 2002 New York State RegionalSAEM Conference. Seventeen differentprograms and/or hospital centers partic-ipated from New York, New Jersey, andPennsylvania. The attendance included210 residents and 52 faculty, for an over-all attendance of 262 persons. Forty-three posters were presented, along withseven platform presentations. We pre-sented a Wall of AcademicAchievements in which each programlisted the scholarly activities of currentactive residents. We are especiallygrateful to Dr. Susan Stern and Dr. JuddHollander for excellent instructional andmotivational presentations that were wellreceived by both faculty and residents.

Given the unusual and difficult expe-riences of residents and faculty markedby September 11, the afternoon wasdedicated to how our roles as emer-gency physicians changed. To honor theefforts of our colleagues, and mark theterrible losses suffered by civilians, res-cuers, and their survivors, each programwas invited to prepare a MemorialPoster. (Six September 11 MemorialPosters were presented and subse-quently displayed at the Annual Meetingin St. Louis). Susan F. Ely, MD, of theOffice of Chief Medical Examiner of theCity of New York, presented an overviewof how her office continues to handle theWorld Trade Center tragedy. JoelAckelsberg, MD, from the New York CityDepartment of Health reviewed the chal-lenges of bioterrorism and the eventssurrounding the anthrax investigation inautumn of 2001.

Given the large concentration of pro-grams in the metropolitan area, and thesimultaneous scheduling of GrandRounds at most programs onWednesday mornings, our region offersa unique opportunity to reach hundredsof emergency medicine physicians of allcareer and training levels. SAEM is anexceptional resource through which thateducation can occur annually. With the

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ErratumIn the March/April Newsletter it

was announced that Howard A.Besson, MD, Harbor-UCLA hadbeen elected to serve on ABEM.Dr. Besson’s name was spelledincorrectly. SAEM regrets the error.

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Western Regional Meeting ReportStephen R. Hayden, MDUniversity of California, San DiegoChair, 2002 Western Regional Meeting Planning Committee

Mid-Atlantic RegionalMeeting

Brian Burgess, MDDoctors for Emergency ServiceChair, SAEM Mid-Atlantic RegionalMeeting Planning Committee

The 5th Annual SAEM Mid-AtlanticRegional Meeting was held on April 11and 12, 2002 at the First USA RiverfrontArts Center located in Wilmington,Delaware. Christiana Care HealthSystem hosted this esteemed event andthere were over 150 registrants, consist-ing of attendings, fellows, residents,nurses, paramedics and EMTs, travelingfrom as far as New York, Chicago andNorth Carolina. Attendees were able tolearn about the latest exciting and edu-cational research in emergency medi-cine from the high degree of diversifiedoral and poster presentations providingcontinuing education credits for theentire audience.

Highlights from the meeting includedmedical student presentations fromChristiana Care residents: Dr. MunishGoyal, Dr. Angela-Siler Fisher, and Dr.Shkelzen Hoxhaj. Topics included: “YourEM Career”, “Successfully Becoming anEmergency Resident” and “Putting yourBest Foot Forward”. Other highlightsincluded guest speaker presentations

New York State RegionalConference (Continued)support of SAEM, we were able to spon-sor a program highlighting the achieve-ments of participating programs, providedidactic and informational sessions, aswell as breakfast, for a nominal fee of$20 per person and $5 for lunch. We didnot seek, nor need, any corporate spon-sorship. Given the nominal expense,many programs funded their residentgroups, facilitating registration and ahigh turn out. We express our gratitudefor the support of the SAEM Board ofDirectors, including Dr. Stern, in the pro-gram development and assistance inmaking the regional conference atremendous success. We are happy toreport that the Emergency MedicineResidency at the Metropolitan HospitalCenter has expressed an interest inhosting the 2003 regional meeting. Welook forward to working with them forcontinued success of future programs.

The SAEM Western RegionalResearch Forum was held in San Diegothis year on April 6-7 at a beautiful con-ference center right on San Diego Bay.The meeting was a huge success withover 150 registered participants. Therewere separate resident tracks, facultytracks, and a special medical studentforum on April 7. Highlights from thefirst day included a rousing keynoteaddress from Peter Rosen in which heshared reflections on research andbeing an editor of a major emergencymedicine journal for over fifteen years.Peter provided a call to arms for the nextgeneration of EM researchers.Participants also learned from CarinOlson what to do if their manuscript isrejected, and Charles Cairns shared hisvast experience and suggested how toget a research project funded. Therewere also several panel discussionsincluding a hotly debated session onResident Scholarly Activity (to do or notto do; that is the question), as well asAcademic vs. Private Career Pathways.A very innovative session was done thisyear, which allowed participants to bringtheir own research proposals to theexperts. This involved some of the mostexperienced researchers in the westernregion who facilitated small group dis-cussions with the participants andhelped them modify their projects. Onemedical student had the opportunity topick the brains of Jerris Hedges, RobertLowe, Charles Cairns, and DavidSchriger all at one sitting; what anopportunity!

The second day of the conferencesaw several didactic sessions includinga panel discussion coordinated byDeirdre Anglin on how to Successfullyget your Project through the IRB, andthe Medical Student Forum includedpresentations on EM career opportuni-ties, what to do with your fourth year,and differences in EM program formats.The medical student forum was incredi-bly successful with over 50 participantsfor this alone! The morning was cappedoff for the students in an informal ses-sion where they could meet representa-tives from many of the western regionEM residencies.

The highlight of the entire meeting,however, was the research presenta-tions. This year, using the SAEM elec-

tronic submission process, the westernscientific review committee receivedover 110 abstracts (a record for thewestern forum!). Of these 90 wereaccepted for presentation at the meet-ing. Sixteen papers were presentedduring 3 oral sessions, and the remain-der as poster presentations over thecourse of the 2-day meeting. Eleven ofthe oral presentations at the westernforum were also accepted to the nation-al SAEM Annual Meeting, and 27 of theposter presentations for a grand total of38 of 90 (42%) of abstracts accepted tothe regional forum were also acceptedat the national meeting in St. Louis.

The meeting ended in the early after-noon of April 7 with a wonderfully funnymedical version of The Weakest Link.Colleen Campbell from the University ofCalifornia, San Diego donned the blackbusiness suit and thin-rimmed blackglasses that are the trademarks of theshow and complete with flaming orangewig proceeded to terrorize the partici-pants as they attempted to correctlyanswer the medical and research basedquestions. Only one participant, ChrisRichards from the Oregon Health andScience University survived theonslaught of the other competitors (andhost) to win.

Many thanks go to Dave Tanen, BobBuckley, and Joel Roos (Naval MedicalCenter San Diego) for their tireless workon the scientific review committee, andSean Deitch and Jill Vessey (both fromUCSD) for helping coordinate the resi-dent and medical student tracks.

All in all it was a very productive andsuccessful meeting. As one participantput it, “I enjoy the regional meeting evenmore than the national meeting. It givesus the opportunity to share researchideas in a more relaxed setting. I feelalmost schizophrenic at the nationalmeeting and often miss out on this kindof intellectual dialogue with my col-leagues from west coast programs.” Themeeting next year will be hosted byMaricopa in Phoenix, AZ. I hope to seeyou all there!

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from visiting faculty involving “Gunshot Wounds in FourAssassinated Presidents” by Dr. Joe Lex, “EmergencyMedicine Research: The Evangelical Approach” by Dr. CharlesPollack, and “Funding for Emergency Medicine Initiatives” byDr. Marcus Martin. Twelve Oral Presentations and SeventyFive Poster Presentations were presented.

Award recipients for the Poster Presentations:3rd place; Dr. Amanda Smith, SUNY, Brooklyn; “ARIMA

Model of Atmosphere and ED Asthma: ConservativeModel”

2nd place; Dr. Donald Alves, University of Maryland;“Ambulance Snatching: How Vulnerable Are We ?”

1st place; Dr. Douglas McGee, Albert Einstein MedicalCenter, Philadelphia; “A Brief Structured Intervention DidNot Improve Directly Observed Resident-PatientInteractions”

Award recipients for the Oral Presentations:3rd place; Dr. Marla Friedman, AI DuPont Hospital for

Children, Wilmington; “Influenza in Young Children withSuspected RSV Infection”

2nd place; Dr. Michael Blaivas, North Shore UniversityHospital; “Elevated Intracranial Pressure Detected byBedside Emergency Ultrasound of the Optic NerveSheath”

1st place; Dr. Jeffrey Kline, Carolinas Medical Center;“Predictors of Short Term Mortality in ED Patients withPulmonary Embolism”

The meeting was very successful, stimulating productivediscussion sessions. In addition, the research was informative,alerting the audience to new opportunities, techniques andapproaches for the advancement of Emergency Medicine andResearch. All research was professionally presented, cultivat-ing fresh ideas which we will learn about at the 6th AnnualSAEM Regional Meeting.

The SAEM regional planning committee included: Dr. BrianBurgess Course Director; Dr. Robert O’Connor Co-Chair; PattyMcGraw Coordinator; Dr. Neil Jasani; Dr. Brian Levine, Dr.John Madden, Dr. Scott Krall, Dr. Craig Lauder, Dr. DaveBailey, Dr. Paul Sierzenski, Dr. Robert Rosenbaum, Dr. AnitaHodson, Dr. Jerry Castellano, Dr. Brian Little, and SherrillMullenix.

Special thanks to our judges for the Oral and PosterPresentations: Dr. Brian Euerle, Dr. Robert O’Connor, Dr. JeffKline, Dr. Scott Krall, Dr. Brian Levine, Dr. Walt Schrading, Dr.Charles Reese IV, Dr. David Milzman, and Dr. Marc Pollack.

The Regional Planning Committee, consisting of Dr. BrianEuerle, Dr. Mark Pollack, Dr. Robert O’Connor, Dr. WilliamBrady, Dr. David Milzman, and Dr. Jeff Kline, have selectedGeorge Washington University and Howard University as Co-Hosts on March 13-14, 2003 for the site of the 6th AnnualSAEM Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting. The 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Planning Committee expresses best wishes to the nextplanning committee for a successful, exciting and educationalmeeting in 2003.

Southeastern Regional Meeting UpdateAndy Godwin, MDShands JacksonvilleChair, 2002 Southeastern SAEM Regional MeetingDavid Caro, MDOrange Park Medical CenterCo-chair, 2002 Southeastern SAEM Regional Meeting

This year’s Southeastern SAEM conference was held April12-14 at the Sea Turtle Inn on Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Themeeting had 90 participants; the relaxed beach atmosphereand sunshine (which appeared late in the weekend) wasenjoyed by all.

There were over 70 oral and poster presentations. Thequality of the research was phenomenal. Research award win-ners included:

Aisha Liferidge, MSIII (Emory) - Best Student Oral Presentation

Lawrence DeLuca, MS III (Miami) - Best Student PosterPresentation

Lisa Morrison, MD (UT Southwestern) - Best ResidentOral Presentation

Ilene Brenner, MD & Nicole Jasper, MD (Emory) - BestResident Poster Presentation

Abhi Chandra, MD (Duke) - Innovations in Research James Moises, MD (LSU-Charity) - Best Overall

Presentation

Multiple academic institutions participated in the confer-ence activities, including Emory University, Louisiana StateUniversity, New Orleans; Louisiana State UniversityShreveport; Duke University, University of Florida; University ofSouth Carolina, Columbia, University of Louisville, andUniversity of Texas, Southwestern. Didactic sessions at theconference included an overview of bioterrorism preparednessby Jay Schauben, PhD, (UF-Jacksonville), and the keynoteaddress given by Bob Wears, MD, (UF-Jacksonville) entitled“Is This as Good as it Gets? Research into RemakingHealthcare in the 21st Century.” Other educational sessionsincluded a hands-on ultrasonography workshop and state ofthe art medical simulation encounters. A research roundtablediscussion paired medical students and residents with accom-plished EM researchers over cold foamy beverages on a deckoverlooking the surf. Next year’s conference will be held at thesame location for more academics and fun at the beach!

Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting (Continued)

2002-2003 EMF/SAEM Medical Student Grants SAEM and the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2002-2003 EMF/SAEMMedical Student Grants. Each of the recipients will receive $2,400.

Applicant: Brett Dee Nelson, William Spivey Award winnerInstitution: Johns Hopkins University Preceptor: Michael J. VanRooyen, MD, MPHProject Title: Social Determinants of Emergency Medical Care Utilization in a Post-Conflict Setting

Applicant: Amy Schuster, William Spivey Award winnerInstitution: University of Maryland Preceptor: Robert Rosenthal, MDProject Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Cerebral Ischemic Brain Injury

Applicant: Leo HsuInstitution: St. Louis University Preceptor: Albert K. Nakanishi, MD, MPH Project Title: Primary Care intervention in the Urban ED: Does it Work for Asthma in Children?

Applicant: Timothy P. KorytkoInstitution: Akron General Medical CenterPreceptor: John E. Duldner, Jr, MDProject Title: Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage- Compliance, Hyperacute Management, and Mortality After

Published Guidelines

Applicant: Richard TurnerInstitution: Cox InstitutePreceptor: James E. Olson, PhDProject Title: Intracellular pH Dependence of Astroglial Volume Regulation

13

National Alcohol Screening Day Held on April 11, 2002 Karen Casper, MDEdward Bernstein, MDBoston University Medical Center

There are approximately 100 million visits to the U.S. Emergency Departments (EDs) each year. As many as 10-30% of theseED patients present with alcohol related problems. Hospital EDs offer a focused opportunity not available elsewhere for alcoholscreening, brief counseling, and referral. The ED is an ideal setting to meet people with harmful or hazardous drinking and takeadvantage of a “teachable moment.” This year National Alcohol Screening Day, (NASD) gave EDs across the country the oppor-tunity to provide information to the community, to develop a referral network, and to help individuals with problem drinking identi-fy their risk, and to enable them to take steps towards changing their behavior.

Last year a total of 296 patients at four sites (range 47-150) were screened using the ten question AUDIT (Alcohol UseDisorder Identification Test). The AUDIT, an internationally recognized screening test with a total possible score of 40, addressesquantity and frequency of use and alcohol problems. 78 or 28% screened positive (scores>8) for at risk drinking and 46 patientsor 17% screened positive (scores>19) for dependent drinking. 48% agreed to a follow-up call at six months.

This year 449 people were screened at six ED sites (range 45-160) from California to New York This year’s AUDIT data isstill being analyzed. Both Spanish and English versions of the AUDIT were available. Every site that participated was thrilled withthe turn out. Dr. Maria O’Rourke, a graduating EM resident at Mount Sinai wrote that it gave her an opportunity “ to remind thedepartment and staff about our referral list as well as to discuss the overall issues important to the ED- like screening and docu-mentation.” At Mass General Hospital, they found that 20% participants without “obvious” alcohol problems were at risk for prob-lem drinking. At Boston University Medical Center, the feedback from the participants was exciting. One gentleman, who heardabout NASD on television came to assess his drinking. After completing the AUDIT and talking with the ED staff, he said that herealized that his drinking was preventing him from meeting his responsibilities and he wanted help. We were able to help him findan inpatient detox that day.

National Alcohol Screening Day provided an opportunity to raise public awareness surrounding alcohol’s effects on all aspectsof life and encourage those with alcohol-related problems to obtain intervention and treatment. This year was the fourth annualNASD. Each year EDs across the nation have dedicated one day towards alcohol screening. This concentrated approach hashelped communities and individuals to identify problem drinking. We are optimistic that next year even more sites will be able toparticipate. NASD, which is funded by NIAAA and SAMHSA and many organizations including SAEM (Board of Directors, PublicHealth Task Force, and Substance Abuse Interest Group) helped to advance HP 2010 Objective 26-22 which calls on EDs to iden-tify and refer patients with alcohol problems to treatment. If you are interested in participating in NASD 2003 please send an e-mail to ebernste@bu.edu

Two New Academic DepartmentsEstablished

Case Western Reserve University

The Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Board ofTrustees has established a Department of EmergencyMedicine within the School of Medicine. Charles L. Emerman,MD, has been named the Chairman of the CWRUDepartment of Emergency Medicine at MetroHealth MedicalCenter. Dr. Emerman completed his residency training atHenry Ford Hospital and has been with Case WesternReserve University since 1982. Dr. Emerman was the recipi-ent of the 1998 ACEP Research Leadership Award and is aSenior Examiner for the American Board of EmergencyMedicine. His area of expertise is asthma research.

This represents the culmination of a great deal of work onthe part of the emergency physicians at Case WesternReserve University and the MetroHealth Medical Center. Thefaculty of MetroHealth Medical Center includes a prior SAEMpresident, two prior members of the SAEM Board, a pastpresident of Ohio ACEP, four examiners for the AmericanBoard of Emergency Medicine, and a current director ofABEM.

The MetroHealth Medical Center is the county hospital forCuyahoga County which includes Cleveland, Ohio.MetroHealth, in conjunction with the Cleveland ClinicFoundation sponsors an Emergency Medicine Residency.The Department has an active research program focusing onrespiratory, cardiovascular, and geriatric emergencies.

University of California, Irvine

The Academic Senate of the University of California,Irvine, (UCI) has unanimously voted to establish an academ-ic Department of Emergency Medicine within the UCI Collegeof Medicine, effective July 1, 2002. Mark Langdorf, MD,MHPE, has been appointed Chair-elect of the new depart-ment. Dr. A. Antoine Kazzi is the Vice Chair-elect forAcademic Affairs.

The Department has 14 full-time faculty and operates theUCI Medical Center Emergency Department, a 47,000 visit,Level I Trauma and ACS verified Burn Center. There are sec-tions of toxicology, emergency ultrasound, research, pediatricemergency medicine, international EM, disaster/EMS, andpublic policy. Eight of the faculty have fellowship training oradvanced degrees. Dr. Kazzi serves as Vice President of theAmerican Academy of Emergency Medicine.

In coordination with other UC faculty and leaders, thedepartment publishes the California Journal of EmergencyMedicine, and co-sponsors a Disaster EMS Fellowship withHarbor UCLA. A fellowship in emergency ultrasound isapproved for 2003.

This transition follows 15 years as a division of internalmedicine, during which time many people worked very hardto fulfill the academic mission of EM. We would like to thankDr. Kym Salness, the founding Division Chief, who guided usthrough our formative years, and Dr. Gregg Pane, the found-ing Residency Director. This is the first academic departmen-talization of EM at the University of California and therefore alandmark step for the specialty of EM.

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Report to SAEM Regarding EMIGGrant 2001-2002

Alison Sheets, MSIIUniversity of Colorado Health Sciences Center

On behalf of the University of Colorado Health SciencesCenter Emergency Medicine Interest Group, I would like tothank SAEM for supporting us through the SAEM MedicalStudent Interest Group Grant. The radiology series proposedin our grant has proven to be quite successful and promisesto continue in the future. We conducted a series of six pre-sentations during the 2001-2002 school year.

The first was an extremities lecture to look at commoninjuries to the upper and lower extremities. Students wereintroduced to terminology and descriptions of abnormalitiesas well as a review of normal anatomy. This was given by Dr.Ray Kilcoyne from the Department of Radiology.

The second lecture topic was on the evaluation of thespine given by Dr. Pam Isaacs, also from the Department ofRadiology. She gave a great overview of the difficult evalua-tion of spinal injuries with an emphasis on the most com-monly occurring lesions. She also shared numerous pointerson how not to miss the easily overlooked abnormalities.

Our third presentation covered the chest x-ray. This vastsubject was expertly handled by Dr. Deb Dyer fromRadiology. This lecture discussed medical as well as trau-matic abnormalities common to the Emergency Departmentsetting.

The fourth and fifth presentations were both on the use ofUltrasound in the Emergency Department setting. Dr. KristinNordenholz from the Department of Emergency Medicine atUniversity of Colorado Hospital gave a lunch hour overview ofthe indications for Ultrasound use. This lecture was followedby an intensive evening workshop given by Dr. John Kendallfrom Denver Health. This hands-on workshop was very wellattended and allowed students to use the very latest Sonositeequipment in practice on one another. Additionally, Dr.Kendall discussed the current literature on efficacy and effi-ciency in the use of Ultrasound in the ED environment.

Our final lecture was given by Dr. Jean Abbott of theDepartment of Emergency Medicine. She presented“Orthopedic Masquerades,” a series of patient presentationssuggesting minor orthopedic complaints that actuallyinvolved serious medical problems. A variety of interestingfilms were seen. This M&M type seminar was a new formatfor many of the first and second year students and provideda great interactive session.

Since receipt of the grant, the Emergency MedicineInterest group has been constructing an interactive course forour web site with the above topics to be presented. Theextremities presentation being the first to go on line. Anultrasound tutorial on CD provided by Dr. Kendall, will also beavailable to the EMIG students for use in the library. Thisproject will continue into next year for completion.

In summary the Radiology Series has been very popularand has been attended by students from all four medicalschool classes and from nursing, physician assistant andresearch programs. It has generated a lot of excitement fornext year’s EMIG and has given the students who attendedsome very useful tools to take to the clinical years. As the online program continues, all students will be able to review thevaluable information in these presentations throughout theirmedical education.

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Academic AnnouncementsSAEM members are encouraged tosubmit Academic Announcements onpromotions, research funding, and otheritems of interest to the SAEM member-ship. Submissions should be sent tosaem@saem.org by July 30 for theJuly/August issue of the Newsletter.

Michelle Biros, MS, MD, has been pro-moted to Professor of EmergencyMedicine (tenured) at the University ofMinnesota. Dr. Biros is also Editor-in-Chief of Academic EmergencyMedicine.

Michael D. Bishop, MD, will receive theACEP John G. Wiegenstein LeadershipAward during the ACEP ScientificAssembly in Seattle. Dr. Bishop is beingrecognized for his work in governmentaffairs and reimbursement issues onbehalf of ACEP.

Richard M. Cantor, MD, will receive theACEP Outstanding Contribution inEducation Award during the ACEPScientific Assembly. Dr. Cantor is beingrecognized for his exceptional serviceas an ACEP fauclty member for variousprograms and meetings.

John Mahoney, MD, has been namedAssistant Dean for Medical Education atthe University of Pittsburgh School ofMedicine. Dr. Mahoney is an AssistantProfessor in the Department ofEmergency Medicine.

Ricardo Martinez, MD, will receive theACEP Outstanding Contribution in EMSAward during the ACEP ScientificAssembly. Dr. Martinez is being recog-nized for his long time advocacy forEMS and emergency medicine and is aformer administrator of the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration.

Edward A. Panacek, MD, MPH, willreceive the ACEP OutstandingContribution in Research Award. Dr.Panacek is being recognized for hisresearch work and his service as direc-tor of the ACEP Emergency MedicineBasic Research Skills course.

Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD, will receivethe ACEP Outstanding Contribution toEmergency Medicine Award during theACEP Scientific Assembly in Seattle.Dr. Waeckerle is being recognized forhis 13 years of service as Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Leslie Zun, MD, has been promoted toProfessor of Emergency Medicine atFinch University/The Chicago MedicalSchool. Dr. Zun has been the Chairmanof the Department of EmergencyMedicine since 1999.

News from the Emergency Medicine FoundationRobert Neumar, MDUniversity of PennsylvaniaDonald M. Yealy, MDUniversity of PittsburghSAEM Representatives to EMF

The Emergency MedicineFoundation (EMF) Board of Trusteesmet in Dallas on March 10, 2002. Dr.Robert Schaefermeyer currently servesas Chair of the Foundation, with MichaelL. Carius serving as Chair-Elect. Thethree main outcomes of the meetingwere to allocate funding for the2002/2003 EMF grant proposals,restructure grant categories for 2003-2004, and propose new initiatives toenhance fundraising.Evaluation and Funding of 2002-2003Grants

The review and decision process forfunding EMF Grant proposals was sig-nificantly modified for the 2002-2003cycle. As part of an ongoing commit-ment to provide the highest quality peerreview of EMF applications, the reviewprocess was modified this year to modelthat of the NIH. The ACEP ScientificReview Committee (SRC) adopted astudy section format to evaluate, dis-cuss and score grant proposals. TheSRC was divided into clinical and labo-ratory investigation study groups. Eachstudy group met in Dallas on March 8and 9 where all 2002-2003 proposalswere reviewed at once. A one to five

point scoring system similar to that ofthe NIH was utilized and overall per-centile rankings were generated. Basedon the resulting scores and rankings,representatives of the SRC made fund-ing recommendations the following dayat the EMF Board Meeting. A total of$453,677 was allocated to fund 16 proj-ects out of the 89 that were submitted.The feedback from those involved wasoverwhelming positive, and the plan isto continue this format for future cycles.Revisions of Grant Categories for2003-2004

In an effort to optimize distribution ofEMF funds in a way that best fostersresearch in emergency medicine, theSRC made a number of recommenda-tions to modify the grant categories forfuture cycles. The goals of each catego-ry were re-evaluated and the numberand quality of applications received ineach category considered. Based onthis review, the Creativity andInnovation, Innovation in MedicineEducation, and Established Investigatoraward categories will not be offered forthe 2003-2004 funding cycle. Proposalsare being developed to best serve

investigators who would have appliedfor funding in these categories.Furthermore, the goals and objectivesof EMF/ENAF team grant will be re-eval-uated possibly resulting in a modifica-tion of the application criteria. Finally,the EMF/SAEM medical student grantswill be awarded to an institution ratherthan an individual student in order tofacilitate recruiting of medical studentresearchers.Fundraising Initiatives

With the assistance of a fundraisingconsultant, EMF plans to both expandtraditional avenues of fundraising andexplore innovative fund raising tech-niques. In addition, a motion was adopt-ed to request that the ACEP duescheck-off amount be raised to $50. Thisrequest will be submitted to the ACEPBoard of Directors for approval.

The EMF remains committed tofunding academic emergency physi-cians and related health care providers.SAEM offers support through joint spon-sorship of the Medical Student Grants,representation on the EMF Board, andparticipation of many SAEM memberson the ACEP Scientific ReviewCommittee.

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2002 SAEM Medical Student Excellence Award WinnersListed below are the recipients of the 2002 SAEM Medical Student Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award. This award isoffered to each medical school in the United States to honor an outstanding senior medical student. This is the ninth year thisaward has been made available. Recipients receive a certificate and one-year membership to SAEM, including subscriptions tothe SAEM Newsletter and Academic Emergency Medicine. Information about next year's Excellence in Emergency MedicineAward will be sent to all medical school dean's offices in February 2003.

Albert Einstein College of MedicineJohn Timothy Fisher

Arizona College of Osteopathic MedicineKatharine A. Mitzel

Baylor UniversityJoel Edward Buzy

Brown UniversityDan Avstreih

Chicago College of Osteopathic MedicineMark Ogden

Cornell UniversityMonique Iris Sellas

Des Moines University Elizabeth Ann Williamson

Duke UniversityCarlos David Sanchez

East Carolina University Dawn Elaine Boudrow

Eastern Tennessee State University Candie Michelle Templeton

Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolRebecca Lipscomb

Georgetown University Anthony Napoli

Harvard Medical SchoolMark Christopher Bisamzo

Howard UniversityNeha Parikh

Indiana University Jayne MacLaughlin

Johns Hopkins University Eveline Antoine Hitti

Kansas University Richard Prudencio

Kirksville College of Osteopathic MedicineScott Balonier

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicineSteven J. Verbridge

Loma Linda UniversityDebbie Washke

Louisiana State University, New OrleansThomas Chad VanDerHeyden

Louisiana State University, ShreveportRobert Pringle Jr.

Loyola University Karice M. Bezdicek

MCP Hahnemann Abbe Pitera

Marshall UniversityChristopher S. Goode

Mayo Medical SchoolKyle R. Martin

Medical College of GeorgiaGearge E. Malcom

Medical College of OhioDaniel Jeffrey Rashid

Medical College of WisconsinMaxwell B. Davis

Meharry Medical CollegeLynn Tuggle

Memorial University of NewfoundlandPei Shih Theng

Michigan State University Simon A. Mahler

Morehouse School of MedicineShelise Michele Henry

New York Medical CollegeEric J. Loeliger

New York UniversityPatrick Simon Reinfried

Northeastern Ohio Universities Brian Barhorst

Nova Southwestern University College ofOsteopathic Medicine

Gary Lai

Oregon Health & Science UniversityLalena Yarris

Penn State Darren A. Boyack

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineAli S. Price

Ponce School of MedicineJenny Lu

Queen's University Paul Cleve

Rush Medical CollegeEric S. Brittain

Saint Louis University Duane H. Moore

St. George's UniversityHerald Ostovar

State University of New York, Stony BrookJoshua Simon Ardise

State University of New York, Downstate Elzbieta Pilat

State University of New York, SyracuseKarl Svoboda

Temple UniversityJennifer Clark

Thomas Jefferson University Allyson Kreshak

Tufts University Martine Sargent

Tulane University Justin Barrett Williams

Uniformed Services University of the HealthSciences

Joshua D. Hartzell

UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical SchoolJennifer Hannum

UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Mark Saks

University of Alabama at BirminghamFrederic M. Jones

University of AlbertaRandy Naiker

University of Arizona Mark Eric Zeitzer

University of BuffaloPaul Hinchey

University of California, DavisAbram Levin

University of California, Irvine Donald Janes

University of California, Los AngelesHeather Conrad

University of California, San DiegoThomas Hemingway

University of Connecticut Alec Belman

University of Florida Robyn Hoelle

University of Hawaii Jason K. Fleming

University of Health Sciences, Kansas City Eric T. Harrington

University of Kentucky Michael Presley

University of LouisvilleLaurie Bay

University of ManitobaChristian LaRiviere

University of Massachusetts Troilus Plante

University of Miami Mark Frisch

University of MichiganCarl Dahlberg

University of Mississippi Russell A. Knight

University of Missouri, ColumbiaMark Christopher Moylan

University of Missouri, Kansas City Meredith A. Leach

University of Nebraska Stefanie Huff

University of Nevada Vanessa R. Branstetter

University of New England College ofOsteopathic Medicine

Scott M. Russo

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Kevin J. Biese

University of North Dakota Michael L. Moen

University of North Texas, Fort Worth Mark A. Gamber

University of Oklahoma Matthew R. Bonner

University of PennsylvaniaJessica Diane Hill

University of PittsburghJames Quan-Yu Hwang

University of Rochester Timothy Lum

University of South Alabama Joshua Thomas Kotouc

University of South Carolina Adrian Doran Langley

University of South Florida Brandi L. McClain-Carter

University of Southern CaliforniaConnie Teng

University of Texas, GalvestonEugene Kangethe Gicheru

University of Texas, Houston Joseph Robson

University of Texas, San AntonioAdam R. Krommenhoek

University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas Kelley R. Jacqmin

University of VermontMariah McNamara

University of Wisconsin Sharon A. Swencki

Vanderbilt University Tricia Scholes Rotter

Virginia Commonwealth Holley Cousins Meers

Wake Forest University Vernon Smith

Washington University Jennifer Stuart Lee

West Virginia School of Osteopathic MedicineBillie J. Hall

West Virginia UniversityJeremy Leslie

Wright State UniversityCarrie Strauss-Dunn

Yale University Jeanne K. Tyan

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Board of Directors UpdateThe SAEM Board of Directors meets

each month, usually by conference call.This article will highlight the Board’sactivities during the Board’s long rangeplanning session held during the CORDNavigating the Academic Waters andCore Competencies Conferences, aswell as the conference call in April andthe two meetings held during the AnnualMeeting in St. Louis.

During the long range planning ses-sion the Board discussed a wide-rangeof potential activities and objectives inthe categories of: membership, gover-nance, finances/research fund/invest-ments, communication and public rela-tions, meetings, and office/staff issues.A host of potential objectives were dis-cussed including: amending the activemembership requirements to include anattestation that an applicant is active inacademic emergency medicine or has afaculty appointment, rather than requir-ing a letter verifying a faculty appoint-ment, conducting a membership driveby writing to all chairs of academicdepartments, highlighting “to become amember” on the SAEM web site, addingdata regarding research coordinators tothe Residency Catalog, promoting theresident discount program to osteopath-ic and allopathic residency programs,sponsoring an SAEM booth at nationalmedical student organization confer-ences, begin charging annual dues foremeritus membership, investigate waysto better navigate the SAEM web site,develop mechanisms to provide infor-mation to the membership about theSociety’s activities, develop a databaseof Annual Meeting didactic sessionspresented in the past five years, andamend the Interest Group OrientationGuidelines regarding dissolution.

The Board met with Ms. AnneWatkins, an expert on issues related tofund raising and development officers,to discuss the development of theSAEM Research Fund. The Boardagreed that the fund must be developedto fund the existing grants, and expand-ed to fund additional grants. The Boardagreed that the fund must be publicizedand promoted to attain a level of aware-ness and importance in SAEM, as wellas outside of SAEM. The Board agreedthat by 2010 the Research Fund shouldbe the largest and most influentialsource of research training grants inEmergency Medicine.

Also, during the long range planningsession the Board reviewed all current

committees and task forces and begandiscussion of objectives for 2002-2003.The Board agreed that committees wereintended to be permanent within SAEM,while task forces were developed tocomplete specific tasks. The Boardagreed to develop a Task Force onFederal Funding of EmergencyMedicine and Disaster MedicineResearch. The Board also agreed todevelop an Annual Meeting Task Forceto centralize process and administrationin the SAEM office, while providingmore opportunity for the ProgramCommittee to focus on content and cre-ativity in the Annual Meeting planning. Itwas noted that with the expansion of theAnnual Meeting it would be important todisperse deadlines throughout the yearand meet deadlines.

The Board adopted a position state-ment on the Patient Privacy Rule. Theposition statement will be published inthe SAEM Newsletter and posted on theSAEM web site, along with a letterSAEM sent to Secretary TommyThompson outlining the Society’s con-cerns regarding the Patient PrivacyRule.

The Board approved the FacultyDevelopment Handbook developed bythe Faculty Development Committee.The Board noted that AACEM may pro-pose in the future that the Handbook bepublished as a joint project by AACEMand SAEM.

The Board approved the UltrasoundImage Bank developed by theUltrasound Interest Group. The Boardrequested a Newsletter announcementwhen the Interest Group completed thework to post the Image Bank on the website.

The Board agreed to participate inthe next Model of EmergencyMedicine/Core Content Task Force asinvited by ABEM. Dr. Chisholm and Dr.Hoekstra will represent SAEM.

The Board reviewed the NationalHospital Ambulatory Medical CareSurvey and agreed to provide writteninput regarding the Survey.

The Board agreed to participate inthe ABEM request to submit referencesfor the ABEM Lifelong learning and Self-Assessment Program. It was agreedthat Dr. Adams and Dr. Chisholm wouldserve as the SAEM Board representa-tives and would collate referencesselected by SAEM members.

The Board agreed to not consider a“member only” section of the web site at

this time. The Board agreed thatbecause of the Society’s mission andacademic focus, information on the website should be made available to all.

The Board agreed to send a letter ofsupport to AHRQ, upon development bythe Public Health Task Force.

The Board agreed with Dr. Martin’srecommendation to accept the invitationfrom the ACEP Academic AffairsCommittee to meet with SAEM andCORD during the Annual Meeting. Dr.Chisholm and Dr. Hamilton agreed toserve as the SAEM Board representa-tives.

The Board will meet monthly via con-ference call and the next face-to-facemeeting will be held during the ACEPScientific Assembly in Seattle onOctober 7. All SAEM members are invit-ed to attend the SAEM Board meetings.

Keep YourMembership

Mailings Coming!Be sure to keep the SAEM officeinformed of changes in youraddress, phone or fax numbers,and especially your e-mail address.SAEM sends infrequent e-mails toSAEM members, but only regard-ing SAEM issues or activities.SAEM does not sell or release itsmailing list or e-mail addresses tooutside organizations. Send updat-ed information to saem@saem.org

Research Fellowship; and the recipientsof the Best Oral and Poster Awards fromthe 2001 Annual Meeting.

Marcus Martin, MD, presented hisPresidential Address (published in thisNewsletter) and introduced incomingpresident Roger Lewis, MD, PhD.

Annual Business Meeting(Continued)

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SAEM Responds to Patient Privacy RuleOn May 9, 2002 SAEM sent the following letter to Tommy G. Thompson, the Secretary of the US Department of Health andHuman Services. The letter was developed by the National Affairs Committee, chaired by James Hoekstra, MD.

The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM)welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Secretary’sMarch 27, 2002 proposal to modify the federal medical privacyrule. SAEM represents over 5000 emergency physicians prac-ticing in academic medical centers and teaching hospitals.SAEM members are active in clinical research involvinghuman subjects as it relates to the provision of emergencycare. We submit this formal comment letter in accordancewith the requirements of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking(NPRM).

SAEM appreciates and commends the Secretary’s willing-ness to increase the rule’s “workability” by reducing the signif-icant obstacles that the rule erects to the conduct of essentialbiomedical, epidemiological, and health services research andthe provision of healthcare. SAEM offers our endorsement ofthe NPRM while identifying some remaining concerns aboutthe rule and its application. We remain concerned that themodified rule would still impose unwarranted liability andunnecessary procedural burdens upon covered entities whouse and disclose health information in federally-regulatedresearch.

SAEM believes that the undeniably strong public interest infurthering epidemiological, public health, and health servicesresearch can only be served by a separate, more reasonablestandard for the de-identification of protected health informa-tion for research purposes.

Covered entities should be permitted to release informationthat has been de-identified under this research standard if therecipient researcher agrees in writing not to attempt to re-iden-tify or contact the subjects of the information, and not to furtherdisclose the information except as required by law.

The NPRM acknowledges that the research communityperceives a pressing need for an alternative de-identificationstandard, yet the Secretary has not formally proposed to cre-ate one. This issue is critical, and SAEM’s view on this issue isas follows:

1. Aggregated data, even identifiable data, exists in modernelectronic systems in hospitals, pharmacies, insuranceagencies, federal agencies, etc. Such data provide theopportunity for ongoing health care research with greatpotential societal benefit. The existence of such dataposes the risk, not the fact, of a moral hazard. These data-bases must be recognized, handled, and guarded aspotentially hazardous to society and to individuals.Adverse effects from unauthorized use of such confiden-tial data can range from personal embarrassment to lossof current and future livelihood. Hence, the use of suchdata for other than the customary business for which thedata were acquired should only be undertaken when thereis significant societal benefit to the use of such data andappropriate safeguards are taken to protect the individualsappearing within such databases.

2. Strict limits on the use of identified, aggregated data mustbe established. Prohibited uses should include marketingand tracking of any individual outside of the customarybusiness for which the data were acquired. Contact withindividuals for non-research purposes must be prohibited.

3. Use of data for potential financial profit is prohibited. Intentto gain information about any individual is not allowable.

Use of identified, aggregated data for health care researchshould be encouraged as long as the research plan hasbeen reviewed by a federally recognized institutionalreview board that ensures that the research has the poten-tial to provide societal benefit and provides appropriatedata security. All aggregated data used for research pur-poses should be destroyed within three years of studycompletion, provided the expansion of the aggregateddata for further approved research is not underway.

This issue is of critical importance; SAEM believes thatthe “workability” of the rule for research hinges uponadoption of a modified de-identification standard forresearch uses and disclosures. In agreement with AAMC,we urge the Secretary to adopt the following modificationto §164.514:

§164.514(a)(i) Standard: de-identification of protectedhealth information. Health information that does not identi-fy an individual and with respect to which there is no rea-sonable basis to believe that the information can be used toidentify an individual is not individually identifiable healthinformation.

(ii) Exception for information disclosed for researchpurposes. Information that does not directly identify anindividual and that conforms to the requirements of§164.514(b)(3) is not individually identifiable health infor-mation when disclosed to a researcher or researcherspursuant to each researcher’s written agreement that:(A) The information will be used only for research pur-poses and will not be further disclosed except asrequired by law; and(B) The researcher will not attempt to re-identify or con-tact individuals who are the subjects of the information.

* * *§164.514(b)(3). Implementation specifications: require-ments for de-identification of protected health informa-tion disclosed for research purposes. A covered entitymay determine that health information disclosed pursuant toa data use agreement is not individually identifiable healthinformation if:

(i) Under the procedures described in §164.514(b)(1),the covered entity has determined that the risk is verysmall that the information could be used, alone or incombination with other reasonably available information, by the recipient researcher to iden-tify an individual who is the subject of the information; or(ii) The following identifiers of the individual or of rela-tives, employers, or household members of the individ-ual, are removed:

(A) Names;(B) Street address;(C) Telephone numbers(D) Fax numbers;(E) Electronic mail addresses(F) Social security numbers(G) Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers(H) Photographic images depicting the full face orfull profile; and

(iii) The covered entity does not have actual knowledgethat the information could be readily used alone or in

(continued on next page)

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combination with other reasonably available informationto identify an individual who is the subject of the infor-mation.

In the preamble to the proposed rule the Secretarydescribes a possible set of “direct” identifiers that might beremoved to create a modified de-identification standard forresearch. The Secretary’s list comprises the elements listedabove, with the addition of URLs and IP addresses. We recog-nize the need to add URLs and IP addresses to the list of directidentifiers and urge that with the addition of these two ele-ments our proposal for a research de-identification standardshould be adopted in the final rule.

We note, however, that the preamble discussion of de-iden-tification lists examples of “identifiable information” (e.g.,admission dates and five digit zip codes) that a covered entitymight be permitted to include in a “limited dataset” to be used

or disclosed for research purposes. We assume that theSecretary did not intend that this “limited dataset” be restrictedto those data fields described in the NPRM. SAEM believesthat a covered entity should be permitted to include any infor-mation in the research or “limited” dataset that is not a directidentifier, as described above, and regarding which the entitydoes not have actual knowledge that the information could bereadily used, alone or in combination with other reasonablyavailable information, to identify an individual who is the sub-ject of the information.

Thank you for the opportunity to express our strong supportfor the important modifications proposed thus far. We empha-size, however, that with respect to the provisions that we iden-tify in this letter, further modifications are necessary if the pri-vacy rule is to become a truly workable standard that does notunduly impede patient care and research.

Report of the Frontlines of Medicine Project Consensus ConferenceHernan F. Gomez, MDUniversity of MichiganSAEM Representative to Frontlines Conference

It was my pleasure and honor tohave served as the SAEM representa-tive for the Frontlines of Medicine con-sensus conference. The meeting wasfilled with many fine and nationallyprominent speakers from within emer-gency medicine, and key individualsfrom high profile federal agencies suchas the CDC. The Honorable TomSawyer, Member of Congress (14th

District, Ohio) eloquently discussedissues involving legislation, healthcare,and preparedness, including the needfor high speed internet access to allhospitals for effective communicationand data collection. As may be dis-cerned by the title of the program – rep-resentation in this conference was clear-ly in our area of interest.

The Frontlines of Medicine Project(http://www.frontlinesmed.org/) is anewly inaugurated effort to develop anonproprietary, and standardized “opensystems” approach for collecting andreporting emergency department datafor the purposes of biological and chem-ical surveillance. The aim of this form ofsurveillance is to capture in real-timedata from emergency departments fromaround the country for the early diagno-sis and treatment of disease. By poolingmultiple key forms of data from multiplesites and sources within the emergencymedicine domain, disease may be rec-ognized early and thus optimize theopportunity to save lives. There are sim-ilar initiatives being planned within vari-ous agencies, and the proactiveFrontlines planning from emergency

medicine leadership is good news toemergency medicine as a whole. Theframework constructed by the Frontlinesleadership will allow emergency medi-cine clinicians to determine the nature ofinformation technology (IT) design ofED-based surveillance infrastructurewhich may then promote communica-tion (vertical and horizontal) with localand federal public health agencies.

The emergency department is sucha key area of data collection that it wouldbe reasonable to assume that the emer-gency medicine world would likely findthemselves incorporated into other sur-veillance systems if we were to simplyplay the role of passive observers. TheFrontlines Project allows emergencymedicine clinicians to play an active rolein design elements in a surveillance pro-gram aimed to link individual (and verybusy) departments with public healthand other vital decision making agen-cies.

This project is a collaborative effortof emergency medicine (including emer-gency medical services and clinical tox-icology), public health, emergency gov-ernment, law enforcement, and infor-matics. Recent national events includingthe disaster of September 11, 2001 andsubsequent anthrax distribution by mailhave intensified efforts to improve sur-veillance for chemical and biological ter-rorism. The leadership of the FrontlinesProject have proactively organized thiseffort with the recognition that emer-gency departments are uniquely posi-tioned as surveillance sites because

they universally contain the followingideal characteristics: a) they are open24 hours each day, b) are ubiquitous indistribution c) continuously treat largenumbers of patients of all ages d) directout-of-hospital emergency medical serv-ices e) have been heavily involved innuclear, biological, and chemical pre-paredness issues for a number of yearsprior to September 11. The leadership ofthis effort are to be congratulated fortaking the initiative of placing emer-gency medicine in a central role indetermining how surveillance and datasharing, and ultimately (vertical and hor-izontal) communication should beplanned in the emergency medicinedomain.

A proposed system that would beseamless and shared between emer-gency medicine and public health wouldbe a step in the right direction forimproving historical problems with col-laboration between emergency medi-cine and public health. Impedances toeffective collaboration are detailed in arecent review (Pollock et al. Emergencymedicine and public health: new steps inold directions. Ann Emerg Med 2001;38:675-683). The benefits of sharinghealth care data among emergencydepartments and with public healthagencies are being investigated by sev-eral agencies. Examples include:Indianapolis Network for Patient Care,which includes an automated transfer ofdata from hospitals to public healthauthorities. Sandia National laboratorieshave shown feasibility of collecting

Patient Privacy Rule (Continued)

(continued on page 24)

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2002-2003 SAEM Committee/Task ForcesAnnual Meeting/Program Committee Task ForceCo-Chair: Susan S. Fish, PharmD MPH, Boston University,

sfish@bu.eduCo-Chair/Board Liaison: Susan A. Stern, MD, University of

Michigan, suestern@umich.eduDavid A. Guss, MD, University of California, San DiegoJerris R. Hedges, MD MS, Oregon Health and Science UniversityJudd E. Hollander, MD, University of PennsylvaniaArthur B. Sanders, MD, University of Arizona.Ellen J. Weber, MD, University of California, San FranciscoDonald M.Yealy, MD, University of Pittsburgh

Ethics CommitteeChair: Catherine A. Marco, MD, St. Vincent Mercy,

cmarco2@aol.comJean T. Abbott, MD, University of Colorado Susan S. Fish, PharmD MPH, Boston UniversityJoel M. Geiderman, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterHerbert Hern, MD, Highland HospitalGregory Luke Larkin, MD MS MSPH, University of Texas

SouthwesternBenjamin S. Lerman, MD, Alameda County Mary Patricia McKay, MD, Allegheny General HospitalTammie E. Quest, MD, Emory UniversityRaquel Marie Schears, MD, MPH, St. Mary's HospitalRobert C. Solomon, MD, West Virginia School of Osteopathic

MedicineBoard Liaison: James Adams, MD, Northwestern University,

jadams@nmh.org

Faculty Development CommitteeChair: J. Lee Garvey, MD, Carolinas Medical Center,

lgarvey@carolinas.orgWilliam G. Barsan, MD, University of MichiganTheodore A. Christopher, MD, Thomas Jefferson University Gregory P. Conners, MD, MPH, University of Rochester Deborah B. Diercks, MD, University of California, Davis David Esses, MD, Montefiore Medical CenterJennifer Krawczyk, MD, University of California, IrvineGloria Kuhn, DO, PhD, Wayne State UniversityO. John Ma, MD, Truman Medical CenterRobert L. Muelleman, MD, University of Nebraska Debra G. Perina, MD, University of VirginiaS. Scott Polsky, MD, Summa Health SystemLatha Ganti Stead, MD, Mayo ClinicBoard Liaison: Marcus Martin, MD, University of Virginia,

mlm8n@virginia.edu

Financial Development CommitteeChair: Brian J. Zink, MD, University of Michigan, bzink@umich.eduFrancis L. Counselman, MD, Eastern Virginia Kerry Forrestal, MD, BS, Thomas Jefferson University Mark Hauswald, MD, University of New Mexico Judd E. Hollander, MD, University of PennsylvaniaJoseph A. Salomone, III MD, Truman Medical CenterJill D. Teplensky, MD, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University Frank L. Zwemer, Jr MD, MBA, University of Rochester Board Liaison: Roger Lewis, MD PhD, Harbor, UCLA,

roger@emedharbor.edu

Graduate Medical Education CommitteeChair: Michael S. Beeson, MD, Akron City Hospital,

beesonm@summa-health.orgMike Burg, MD, University Medical Center, FresnoMeta Carroll, MD, Children's Memorial HospitalMark W. Fourre, MD, Maine Medical CenterSheryl L. Heron, MD MPH, Emory UniversityMichael Hochberg, MD, Albert Einstein

David S. Howes, MD, University of Chicago Shar Jwayyed, MD, Summa Health SystemEric Legome, MD, NYU/Bellevue HospitalUsamah Mossallam, MD, Henry Ford HospitalPeter Shearer, MD, Boston Medical CenterPatricia Dighton Short, MDBoard Liaison: Carey Chisholm, MD, Indiana University,

cchisholm@clarian.org

Grants CommitteeChair: Adam J. Singer, MD, State University of New York, Stony

Brook, asinger@notes.cc.sunysb.eduEvaline A. Alessandrini, MD, Children's Hospital, PhiladelphiaJoel A. Fein, MD, Children's Hospital, PhiladelphiaLowell W. Gerson, PhD, NEOUCOMJason Scott Haukoos, MD, Harbor-UCLA Dexter L. (Tony) Morris, PhD MD, Cogent NeuroscienceRobert E. O'Connor, MD MPH, Christiana Care Brian J. O'Neil, MD, Detroit Receiving HospitalMarc S. Rosenthal, PhD, DO, Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals, Inc.Robert A. Swor, DO, William Beaumont HospitalKelly D.Young, MD, Harbor-UCLA John G.Younger, MS MD, University of Michigan Board Liaison: Donald Yealy, MD, University of Pittsburgh,

yealydm@msx.upmc.edu

National Affairs CommitteeChair/Board Liaison: James W. Hoekstra, MD, Ohio State

University, hoekstra.1@osu.eduBrent R. Asplin, MD, Regions HospitalDavid F.M. Brown, MD, University of ChicagoJill Grant, MS, MD, University of VirginiaJ. Brian Hancock, MD, Timberline Emergency Physicians, P.C.Stephen Hargarten, MD MPH, Medical College of WisconsinDavid Harter, MD, Cook County HospitalMark C. Henry, MD, State University of New York, Stony BrookKenneth V. Iserson, MD MBA, University of ArizonaAntoine Kazzi, MD, University of California, IrvineJohn A. Marx, MD, Carolinas Medical CenterWilliam Frank Peacock, IV MD, Cleveland ClinicLynne D. Richardson, MD, Mt. Sinai Medical CenterRobert W. Schafermeyer, MD, Carolinas Medical CenterDavid P. Sklar, MD, University of New Mexico

Patient Safety Task ForceChair: Robert L. Wears, MD MS, University of Florida,

wears@ufl.eduDavid Barlas, MD, North Shore University HospitalChristopher Beach, MD, Northwestern UniversityKenneth E. Bizovi, MD, Oregon Health and Science UniversityKaren Cosby, MD, Cook County Hospital/Rush Patrick G Croskerry, MD PhD, Dartmouth General Hospital Gregory D. Jay, MD PhD, Rhode Island HospitalShawna Perry, MD, University of FloridaStewart Reingold, MD, Advocate Christ HospitalStephen Schenkel, MD, University of MichiganMarc J. Shapiro, MD, Rhode Island HospitalJohn Dennis Vinen, MD, Royal North Shore HospitalMichele B. Wagner, MD, Beth Israel Deaconness Board Liaison: James Adams, MD, Northwestern University,

jadams@nmh.org

Program CommitteeChair: Ellen J. Weber, MD, University of California, San Francisco,

weber@medicine.ucsf.eduChris Barton, MD, University of California, San FranciscoDane M. Chapman, MD PhD, Washington University David C. Cone, MD, Yale University

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Kevin M. Curtis, MD, University of PennsylvaniaCathy Custalow, MD PhD, University of VirginiaM. Christopher Decker, MD, Medical College of WisconsinBrian Euerle, MD, University of Maryland HospitalLeonard R. Friedland, MD, Temple University Diane Gorgas, MD, Ohio State University David A. Guss, MD, University of California, San DiegoAlan Heins, MD, University of MarylandSean O. Henderson, MD, LAC + USC Medical CenterDebra Houry, MD MPH, Denver Health Medical CenterJohn J. Kelly, DO, FACEP, Albert Einstein Medical CenterDavid C. Lee, MD, North Shore University HospitalLewis Nelson, MD, New York University/Bellevue HospitalDiana M. Pancu, MD, New York University/Bellevue Hospital Susan B. Promes, MD, Duke University Richard D. Shih, MD, Morristown Memorial HospitalTerry L. Vanden Hoek, MD, University of ChicagoGary M. Vilke, MD, University of California, San DiegoMary Jo Wagner, MD, Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals, Inc.Stewart W. Wright, MD, University of CincinnatiBoard Liaison: Sue Stern, MD, University of Michigan,

suestern@umich.edu

Public Health Task ForceChair: Carlos A. Camargo, Jr MD DrPH, Massachusetts General

Hospital, ccamargo@partners.orgEdward Bernstein, MD, Boston UniversityDominic A. Borgialli, DO, MPH, Michigan State University, LansingGail D'onofrio, MD, Yale-New Haven HospitalLinda C. Degutis, DrPH, Yale University Dave A. Holson, MD, Harlem Hospital Charlene Babcock Irvin, MD, St. John Hospital Terry Kowalenko, MD, University of MichiganRobert Lowe, MD MPH, Oregon Health and Science UniversityDaniel A. Pollock, MD, National Center for Injury Prevention and

ControlJason Shapiro, MD, Mount Sinai Federico E. Vaca, MD, University of California, IrvineBoard Liaison: Glenn Hamilton, MD, Wright State University,

glenn.hamilton@wright.edu

Research CommitteeChair: Mark G. Angelos, MD, Ohio State University,

angelos.1@osu.eduRobert N. Bilkovski, MD, Christ HospitalClifton Callaway, MD PhD, University of Pittsburgh D. Mark Courtney, MD, Northwestern Memorial HospitalGary B. Green, MD MPH, Johns Hopkins University Alan E. Jones, MD, Carolinas Medical CenterDavid J. Karras, MD, Temple University Jeffrey A. Kline, MD, Carolinas Medical CenterLawrence A. Melniker, MD, New York Methodist HospitalRoland Clayton Merchant, MD, Rhode Island HospitalCraig D. Newgard, MD, Harbor-UCLAJames E. Olson, PhD, Wright State UniversityNiels K. Rathlev, MD, Carney HospitalJunaid Razzak, MD, Yale University Michael Roshon, MD, Carolinas Medical CenterRichard Eric Rothman, MD PhD, Johns Hopkins HospitalJan M. Shoenberger, MD, Los Angeles County/USC Medical CenterHarold K. Simon, MD, Egleston Children's HospitalJill D. Teplensky, MD, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH, Children's Hospital, BostonBoard Liaison: Judd Hollander, MD, University of Pennsylvania,

jholland@mail.med.upenn.edu

Undergraduate CommitteeChair: Wendy C. Coates, MD, Harbor-UCLA, coates@emedhar-

bor.edu

Adrienne Birnbaum, MD, Jacobi Medical CenterKerry B. Broderick, MD, Denver Health Michael Canter, MD, Jacobi HospitalNorman C. Christopher, MD, Children's Hospital/AkronJamie Collings, MD, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Adam D. Corrado, Chicago Medical SchoolSusan E. Farrell, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Cherri Hobgood, MD, University of North Carolina, Chapel HillTamara Howard, MD, Howard University Michelle Lin, MD, San Francisco General HospitalDavid Edwin Manthey, MD, Wake Forest University, Baptist Steven A. McLaughlin, MD, University of New MexicoTerry J. Mengert, MD, University of Washington Charissa B. Pacella, MD, University of PittsburghTamas R. Peredy, MD, Maine Medical CenterCory J. Pitre, MD, Indiana University David A. Wald, DO, Temple University Lori A. Weichenthal, MD, University Medical Center, FresnoBoard Liaison: Kate Heilpern, MD, Emory University,

kheilpe@emory.edu

Undergraduate Question Bank Task ForceChair: Stephen H. Thomas, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital,

thomas.stephen@mgh.harvard.eduMichael Filbin, MD, Brigham and Women's/Massachusetts General

HospitalJonathan Fisher, MD, Brigham and Women's/Massachusetts

General HospitalJennifer L. Isenhour, MD, Vanderbilt University Annie Tewel Sadosty, MD, Mayo Clinic Emily Senecal, Stanford UniversityBoard Liaison: Kate Heilpern, MD, Emory University,

kheilpe@emory.edu

Under-Represented Member Research Mentoring Task ForceChair/Board Liaison: Glenn C. Hamilton, MD, Wright State

University, glenn.hamilton@wright.eduKumar Alagappan, MD, Long Island Jewish Medical CenterLouis S. Binder, MD, MetroHealth Medical CenterRita K. Cydulka, MD, MetroHealth Medical CenterMichelle Grant Ervin, MD MHPE, Howard University HospitalMiguel C. Fernandez, MD, University of Texas Juan A. Gonzalez-Sanchez, MD, Hospital De La Universidad De

Puerto RicoFred P. Harchelroad, Jr MD, Allegheny General HospitalThea James, MD, Boston Medical CenterNorm Kalbfleisch, MD, Oregon Health and Science UniversityVarnada Karriem-Norwood, MD, Emory UniversityMarcus L. Martin, MD, University of Virginia James Thomas Niemann, MD, Harbor-UCLA Manish M. Patel, MD, Emory UniversityShawna Perry, MD, University of Florida Lynne D. Richardson, MD, Mt. Sinai David P. Sklar, MD, University of New Mexico

Task Force on Federal Funding of Emergency Medicine &Disaster Medicine Research

Chair: Michelle H. Biros, MS, MD, Hennepin County,biros001@maroon.tc.umn.edu

Frederick M. Burkle, Jr MD, John Hopkins UniversityClifton Callaway, MD PhD, University of Pittsburgh E. John Gallagher, MD, Montifore Medical CenterMark C. Henry, MD, State University of New York, Stony BrookKristi L. Koenig, MD, VA Medical CenterRobert W. Neumar, MD PhD, University of PennsylvaniaArthur B. Sanders, MD, University of ArizonaCarl H. Schultz, MD, University of California, IrvineBoard Liaison: Roger Lewis, MD PhD, Harbor-UCLA,

roger@emedharbor.edu

Annual Meeting Highlights

2002-2003 SAEM Board of Directors: (Front L-R) Sue Stern, MD,Judd Hollander, MD, Kate Heilpern, MD, Roger Lewis, MD, PhD,Carey Chisholm, MD. (Back L-R) James Hoekstra, MD, JamesAdams, MD, Glenn Hamilton, MD, Donald Kosiak, MD, DonaldYealy, MD, and Marcus Martin, MD.

Ellen Weber, MD, Annual Meeting Program Committee Chair andDane Chapman, MD, are pictured with Keynote Speaker,Kenneth Ludmerer, MD, who spoke on “The Coming of theSecond Revolution in Medical Education.” (L-R) Dr. Weber, Dr.Ludmerer, and Dr. Chapman.

Dr. Marcus Martin (L) introduced Dr. David Sklar, therecipient of the 2002 Leadership Award, whoreceived his award during the Annual MeetingBanquet. Dr. Sklar’s talk will be published in a futureissue of AEM.

Dr. Ed Panacek, CORD Board1999-2002, completed his termon the Board of Directors andwas thanked for his service toCORD.

2002-2003 CORD Board of Directors: (Front L-R) Pam Dyne, MD,Mary Jo Wagner, MD, and Debra Perina, MD. (Back L-R) SteveHayden, MD, Sam Keim, MD, Susan Dufel, MD, and Louis Binder,MD.

2002 CPC Semi-Final Competition winners: (Front L-R) DougWilliamson, MD, Eric Gross, MD, Winny Hung, MD, Robert Reiser, MD,Donald Jeanmonod, MD. (Back L-R) Alec Walker, MD, Dylan Luyten,MD, Eric Katz, MD, Peter Peacock, MD, and E. Parker Hays, MD. Theywill compete in the CPC Finals that will be held on October 7 during theACEP Scientific Assembly in Seattle.

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Dr. Martin is pictured with (L-R) Robert Neumar, MD, University ofPennsylvania, recipient of the Institutional Research Training Grant,Linda Papa, MD, University of Florida, recipient of the ScholarlySabbatical Grant, and Jason Borton, MD, State University of New York,Buffalo, recipient of the 2002-2003 EMS Fellowship Grant.

Frank Counselman, MD, (R) congratulates Dr. Barry Knapp,Eastern Virginia Medical School, the recipient of the CORDFaculty Teaching Award.

Dr. Marcus Martin is pictured with (L-R) Catherine Marco, MD, elect-ed to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, James Hoekstra, MD,appointed to the Board, Carey Chisholm, MD, electedSecretary/Treasurer, Dr. Martin, Katherine Heilpern, MD, elected tothe Board, Donald Kosiak, MD, elected Resident Member of theBoard, Jill Baren, MD, elected to the Nominating Committee, andDonald Yealy, MD, elected as the President-elect.

2002-2003 AACEM Executive Committee: (L-R) Jerris Hedges, MD,John Gallagher, MD, Frank Counselman, MD, and Steve Hargarten,MD.

Debra Houry, MD, MPH, Denver Health MedicalCenter, recipient of the CORD ResidentAcademic Achievement Award, is congratulatedby Lee Shockley, MD.

Dr. Martin is pictured with the 2002 Young Investigator Award recip-ients: (L-R) James Gordon, MD, Daniel Morris, MD, Dr. Martin, andEric Dickson, MD.

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24

Frontlines of Medicine Project (Continued)

emergency encounter data to detect 6primary syndromes that might be con-sistent with bioterrorism (Zelicoff A et al.The Rapid Syndrome Validation Project(RSVP) a technical paper. SandiaNational Laboratories. Available at:http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/bio/rsvp/pub.html).

Dr. Dan Pollock and Lawrence P.Hanrahan described an overview ofCDC activities such as the NationalElectronic Disease Surveillance system(NEDSS) project, and the Health AlertNetwork (HAN). It was clear from thisoverview that the Frontlines Project maybe designed to fully integrate with thesesystems. NEDSS is a public health ini-tiative which provides a standards-based, integrated approach to diseasesurveillance and connects public healthto the rather unwieldy clinical informa-tion systems infrastructure. HAN is aHERSA component for hospital pre-

paredness and is in part dedicated toeffective interfacing with NEDSS andarea hospitals.

The ultimate objectives (largely metin the conference) were to: 1) introduceand establish the Frontlines project as anetworking resource for healthcareproviders, public health authorities,health information systems experts,government officials and agencies, andprofessional associations interested inthe application of syndromic surveil-lance in emergency medicine and relat-ed fields 2) introduce a definingapproach to the application of syn-dromic surveillance data collection frommultiple frontlines sites (emergencymedicine departments, clinics, physi-cian offices, veterinarians, schools orworksite absenteeism, etc. 3) establishan initial version of XML-based mes-sages to be utilized in pilot projects forsending surveillance data from emer-

gency departments to regional surveil-lance entities and finally 4) facilitatefuture activities for ongoing communica-tion of related activities among stake-holders and possible funding of pilotprojects to validate initial recommenda-tions.

The effort may be summarized asthe beginning of a proactive effort on thepart of the emergency medicine leader-ship to control the design and IT infra-structure that will one day be the part ofday-to-day preparedness operations inthe modern 21st century emergencydepartment. We can passively let otherorganizations do this for us, or we candesign it to maximally fit our needs andintegrate a Frontlines system that wouldmaximally fit the needs of emergencymedicine and ultimately minimize mor-bidity and mortality in the face of theunthinkable.

Conference ParticipantsEdward Barthell, MD, Executive vice President Infinity HealthCare, Inc., Craig

Feied, MD, Director of Informatics, National Center for Emergency MedicineInformatics, Dennis G. Cochrane, MD, Emergency Medicine Associates,Morristown Memorial Hospital Residency in EM, William H. Cordell, MD, Director,Division of Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, John C. Moorhead,MD, MS, Professor, EM and Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Healthand Science University, Dept of EM, Mark Smith, MD, Chairman, Dept of EM,Washington Hospital Center, Charles Sneiderman, MD, PhD, Research MedicalOfficer, Office of High Performance Computing and Communications, NationalLibrary of Medicine, Christopher W. Felton, MD, President, EMSystem, InfinityHealthCare, Inc., Michael Collins, BS, Senior Software Engineer, InfinityHealthCare, Inc., Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, MPH, Executive Director, APHA,Brent R. Asplin, MD, MPH, Health Partners Research Foundation, Erik Auf derHeide, MD, MPH, Disaster Planning and Training Specialist, Agency for ToxicSubstances and Disease Registry, Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH, Director, EMNetCoordinating Center, Dept. of EM, Stephen K Epstein, MD, MPP, FACEP, ClinicalOperations Director, Dept of EM, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, VirginiaFoster, PhD, MPH, Epidemiologist, Department of Defense-Global EmergingInfections Surveillance and Response system (DoD-GEIS), Capt. Arthur J.French, MD, US Coast Guard EMS Physician Liaison, National Highway TrafficSafety Administration, Michael Gillam, MD, Director EM Informatics, EvanstonHospital, Chair ACEP Informatics Section, Hernan F. Gomez, MD, MedicalToxicology, Univ of Michigan, Dept of EM, Jonathan A. Handler, MD, Director ofEmergency Medicine Informatics, Division of EM, Northwestern University,Lawrence P. Hanrahan, PhD, MS, Chief Section of Epidemiology and Toxicology,Bureau of Environmental Health, Brian F. Keaton, MD, Board of Directors, ACEP,EM Informatics Director, Dept of EM, Summa Health System, Linda Lawrence,MD, Chief, Emergency Medicine, Andrews AFB, Scott Lilibridge, SpecialAssistant to the Secretary for national Security and Emergency Management,Dept of HHS, Dan Pollock, MD, Medical Epidemiologist, National Center for InjuryPrevention and Control, CDC, Helga E. Rippen, MD, PhD, MPH, Director, Science& Technology Policy Institute, RAND, Mhomas O. Stair, MD, Research DirectorEmergency Department, Brigham and Women’s Hospital , Joseph F. Waeckerle,MD, Editor in Chief, Annals of Emergency Medicine, C. Peter Waegemann,Chairman Centre for the Advancement of Electronic Health Records. In addition,the Honorable Tom Sawyer, Member of Congress, US House of Representatives(14th District, Ohio) was present during key portions of the conference.

Newsletter AdvertisingThe SAEM Newsletter is mailed everyother month to the 5,500 members ofSAEM. Advertising is limited to fellowshipand academic faculty positions. All adsare posted on the SAEM web site at noadditional charge.

Deadline for receipt: July 30 (JulyAugissue), September 1 (Sept/Oct issue),October 15 (Nov/Dec issue), March 1(March/April) and June 1 (May/June). Adsreceived after the deadline can often beinserted on a space available basis.

Advertising Rates:Classified Ad (100 words or less)Contact in ad is SAEM member........$100Contact in ad non-SAEM member ....$1251/4 - Page Ad (camera ready)3.5" wide x 4.75" high......................$300

To place an advertisement, e-mail, fax ormail the ad, along with contact person forfuture correspondence, telephone and faxnumbers, billing address, ad size, andNewsletter issues in which the ad is toappear to: Jennifer Mastrovito at jmastrovito@saem.org, via fax at (517)485-0801 or mail to 901 N. WashingtonAvenue, Lansing, MI 48906. For moreinformation or questions, call (517) 485-5484 or jmastrovito@saem.org.

All ads posted on the SAEM web site atno additional charge.

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Scholarly Activity and Promotion in University and Community SettingsGloria Kuhn, DO, Wayne State UniversityScott Polsky, MD, Summa Health SystemLatha Stead, MD, Mayo ClinicSean Henderson, MD, LAC+USC Medical CenterDebra Perina, MD, University of VirginiaSAEM Faculty Development Committee

There is increasing pressure for change in the criteria usedfor promotion of faculty in the traditional, tenured systemembraced by the academic medical community. Increasedemphasis on delivery of patient care to finance the cost of edu-cating medical students and residents in academic health cen-ters has necessitated recruiting physicians whose primaryinterests and responsibilities are in the areas of patient careand teaching rather than research.1, 2 Many physicians havepractices based in the community hospital and teach as “vol-untary faculty.” Promotion/tenure (PT) committees are underpressure to reassess promotion guidelines and some institu-tions have questioned the need for tenured positions.However, in other academic centers, there is general recogni-tion that achievement of both promotion and tenure (PT) is stillvaluable within the academic community. Promotion andtenure not only garners additional salary and a measure of jobsecurity, but provides an increase in standing or power withinthe institution along with other less tangible benefits. In manyacademic centers, tenure often “legitimizes” individuals; theiropinions may now be freely voiced and senior faculty fromother specialties now recognize them as equals and col-leagues. This tenured position allows the emergency medicinephysician to be fully integrated within the entire academic com-munity as “equals at the table”. Such faculty have found them-selves more accepted, more productive, and with a greaterability to effect change and have a positive impact on patientcare within their institutions.

These two views of the value of tenure are at the heart ofan ongoing debate in the academic world over what constitutesproductivity and scholarly activity and how faculty should berewarded in terms of promotion and money. There are now amultitude of classifications of faculty within the academic med-ical community. The traditional model of the physician-researcher, whose primary focus was clinical or benchresearch has been joined by the clinical-educator who per-forms relatively little research when compared to colleagueswho have risen through the traditional tenure system.3

Many clinicians engaged in teaching medical students andresidents practice in community settings rather than in univer-sity-based practices. Academic emergency physicians areparticularly affected by debate over PT criteria. The practice ofemergency medicine as a medical specialty began at commu-nity hospitals and many training programs are based in com-munity hospitals with university affiliations. In general, themajority of emergency medicine faculty fit the model of the cli-nician-educator rather than the clinician-researcher.

Many faculty members remain convinced that promotion isreserved for those engaged in research or do not know how tomanage their academic career so that they are successfulwhen seeking promotion.4-6 The purpose of this article is todiscuss 1) activities that medical schools value when consid-ering faculty for promotion, 2) the community academic envi-ronment as compared to the university and, 3) methods to per-form a literature review to learn more about promotion, tenureand scholarly activity.

Scholarship Traditionally, knowledge of discovery, which is the finding of

new information, is the area that has been rewarded in aca-demic settings. This is best illustrated by original researchwhich is supported by grants and publishing of results in peerreviewed journals. Boyer, while recognizing the importance oforiginal research, argued that new knowledge has little valueunless it can be 1) integrated into an existing body of knowl-edge, 2) applied to problem-solving and the expansion of otherscholars’ efforts, and 3) taught to others so they can have thebenefit of discovered knowledge and use it to advance theirown work. Thus, scholarly activity was any activity that con-tributed to advancement of any of the four areas of knowl-edge.7

It is in the areas of integration, application, and teachingthat clinician-educators spend most of their time and efforts.Using the Boyer model of scholarship, those working in theseareas make valuable contributions to the advancement ofknowledge and these are worthy of reward by the academiccommunity. This expanded view of scholarship has opened theway for a variety of activities and resulting products to beviewed as valuable endeavors which advance the mission ofthe academic institution and which may result in both promo-tion and tenure.5, 8 Many activities and products produced byclinician-educators are now examined by PT committees whenconsidering faculty for promotion. (Table 1)Quality and Presentation of Scholarly Activities

This expanded view of scholarship in no way diminishes therequirement for publication/presentation by educators, as thisis the most common, and perhaps only, method for scholars toview, judge, and expand upon each others work. Many acad-emicians do not regard teaching excellence and innovation asactual scholarship until they are made public through publish-ing or presentations so that other scholars and educators haveaccess to them and can learn from the efforts expended. 9 Insome settings, the number of publications needed for promo-tion is as stringent for the clinician-educator as it is for the basicscientist. It is only the focus of the work that has shifted frombench research or clinical trials to educational curriculumdesign, testing of educational modalities, or creation of neweducational techniques. Recognition of this shift of focus iscritical to those who are primarily interested in teaching andpatient care as opposed to bench or clinical research. One ofthe most important concepts for an individual who is seekingpromotion and tenure under the clinician-educator track tounderstand is that one must develop a “focus area” in an edu-cationally related issue(s). It is necessary to resist the naturalurge to accept every possible academic opportunity and thusbecome too diffuse in academic endeavors.

One must also be able to demonstrate peer evaluation andrecognition of scholarship through documentation of one’s aca-demic efforts. Evaluations from national lectures, letters fromcolleagues requesting copies of educational items developed,or testimonials from others who have found presentations use-ful can be used. In general, P&T Committees award promotion

(continued on next page)

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and/or tenure if the applicant has demonstrated excellence intwo of the three traditional areas of research, teaching, andservice. Table 1 lists these areas, as well as providing exam-ples of items that are considered scholarly activities in theseareas. Fortunately, it is now recognized that research can beperformed in any of these areas and adds value to the aca-demic community. Additionally, the mix of required productivi-ty in each of the areas of research, teaching, and service isdependent upon the track or classification in which the physi-cian seeks promotion and whether tenure is sought.The Academic Setting in the Community Hospital

While classical academic promotion is the domain of themedical school, residency training in emergency medicine isoften accomplished in programs based in community hospitalswith quite varied medical school relationships. Promotion in acommunity hospital setting, as opposed to the university, maybe at the discretion of the group with the emergency depart-ment contract and/or hospital administration. Clinical perform-ance, administrative involvement, and commitment to the com-munity may be as important for promotion as teaching cre-dentials; research experience may be seen as less valuable.The primary problems that community hospital emergencymedicine residency programs face regarding scholarship fallinto three groups: financing of protected time; training andevaluation issues; and mentoring.Money and Time

The amount of funding actually passed on to faculty variesgreatly in community hospitals. Funding of protected time isquite variable. Many clinical faculty members receive no fund-ing for teaching or protected time for scholarly/administrativeactivities. Their salaries are dependent upon generatedpatient revenues. It is common for the clinical faculty in a com-munity hospital program to work four clinical shifts (32-36hours) per week. This leaves little time for faculty/teachingactivities outside of clinical supervision.Training and Evaluation

Programs are often faced with difficulty in defining thosespecific skills that their faculty will need. There are fewsources of information specific to the needs of residency direc-tors and department chairs of emergency medicine strugglingto implement effective faculty development programs at com-munity hospital teaching sites. Resources which may be help-ful include bibliographies on faculty development.10, 11 TheSAEM, through its web site (http://www.saem.org/), publica-tions, and meetings has served as a resource to disseminateinformation on faculty development. Literature searches using“emergency medicine” as one of the key words will be helpful.The ACGME at its web site (http://www.acgme.org/) also pro-vides access to tools that can be used for residency assess-ment. (Table 2)

Lack of training for the academic chair in a community hos-pital in how to evaluate faculty may be a significant issue.Many chairs in community hospitals have never received anytraining in university methods for evaluating academic facultyand have no experience in university settings. These chairshave developed their own methods for faculty developmentand evaluation with little published material validating thesemethods. We need to be able to define the relative values ofstandard academic activities such as research and publica-tion, clinical teaching, didactic teaching, and the less academ-ic pursuits such as political activity in the health system, hos-pital and house of medicine, and social contributions. There isfurther difficulty in defining appropriate levels of participationfor core versus clinical faculty. These problems are present in

both the community and university but even more of a chal-lenge for community department chairs when evaluating facul-ty.

Lack of available time for faculty development is anotherproblem shared by community and university institutions.Sheffield found that the average work-week for clinician edu-cators at the University of Washington was over 58 hours withonly 7.6 hours devoted to scholarship. 12

Establishing a relationship with a mentor has been found tobe of great value for junior faculty interested in academics.13

Finding mentors for educational activities may be particularlydifficult in the community hospital and may necessitate goingoutside of one’s home institution.Searching the Literature on Faculty Development

With the advent of the internet, a wealth of information isavailable on any topic, including faculty development. Thechallenge is finding the relevant information, and then stayingcurrent with it. Detailed in Table 2 are strategies that yielded auseful search.

There are a multitude of resources available to both begin-ning and established faculty. The hardest part of availing one-self of these opportunities is perhaps the lack of knowledge orthe lack of time to locate them. To facilitate searching, the fac-ulty development committee of SAEM has built a web-site,(www.saem.org//facdev/FD_Manual_2001/stead3.htm), thatcatalogs published media with an annotated bibliography foreach of the following categories: Faculty Development, ClinicalTeaching, Women in Medicine, Promotion and Tenure, andMinorities in Medicine. In addition, the web-site also detailslists of awards for emergency medicine faculty as well as fund-ing sources for research and educational projects.Summary

Clinician–educators can be successful when seeking pro-motion. There are a multitude of scholarly activities which arenow recognized by P&T committees when evaluating facultyfor promotion. Promotion tracks have been created so thatboth university and community based faculty, who devote themajority of their time and efforts to teaching and patient care,can receive recognition and reward for the important work theydo. These activities are now recognized as fundamental tothe strength of the academic health center, fostering the cre-ation of new knowledge, and aiding in the teaching of newgenerations of physicians. Yet, both problems and opportuni-ties exist for faculty in both community and university settingsas they plan and implement academic careers.References1. Barchi, R.L. and B.J. Lowery, Scholarship in the medical

faculty from the university perspective: retaining academicvalues. Acad Med, 2000. 75(9): p. 899-905.

2. Kevorkian, C.G., D.H. Rintala, and K.A. Hart, Evaluationand promotion of the clinician-educator: the faculty view-point. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2001. 80(1): p. 47-55.

3. Bickel, J., The changing faces of promotion and tenure atU.S. medical schools. Acad Med, 1991. 66(5): p. 249-56.

4. Batshaw, M.L., L.P. Plotnick, B.G. Petty, et al., Academicpromotion at a medical school. Experience at JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine. N Engl J Med,1988. 318(12): p. 741-7.

5. Nora, L.M., C. Pomeroy, T.E. Curry, Jr., et al., Revisingappointment, promotion, and tenure procedures to incor-porate an expanded definition of scholarship: theUniversity of Kentucky College of Medicine experience.Acad Med, 2000. 75(9): p. 913-24.

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Table 1: Examples of activities tangible to P&T committees for Clinician-Educators

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITYInvited lectureshipsDevelopment of curriculum materialsBook chaptersComprehensive case reviewsReviewer for specialty journalEditor of journal or textbookDevelopment of educational software or web based learning programsDevelopment of regional or national educational conferencesScientific poster presentationsPeer-review abstracts and journal articlesSpeaker at national or regional CME courses

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITYService on hospital committeesService on departmental committeesService in local society organizationsService in national society organizations Medical student clerkship directorResidency director (or associate, assistant)Course director for medical studentsRotational/site Director for resident rotations

PATIENT CAREExcellence as measured by:Patient satisfaction scoresProductivity standardsPATIENT CARE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITYDevelopment of clinical care guidelines/protocolsDevelopment of a new patient care product line

Table 2: Search Strategies

1. Use both medical and “layperson” search engines.• Our favorites: www.google.com and www.nlm.nih.gov (medline)

2. Useful search terms:• Faculty development• Medical school faculty• Academic medicine• Promotion and tenure• Women faculty• Minority faculty• Teaching portfolio

3. Keeping current:• Subscribe to e-TOC (electronic table of contents e-mailed to you each month) for the following journals:

• Academic medicine (www.academicmedicine.org) ➔ has the highest yield• JAMA (www.jama.ama-assn.org)• Periodically visit the AAMC web-site at www.aamc.org

6. Simpson, D.E., K.W. Marcdante, E.H. Duthie, Jr., et al.,Valuing educational scholarship at the Medical College ofWisconsin. Acad Med, 2000. 75(9): p. 930-4.

7. Boyer, E., Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of theProfessoriate. 1990, Princeton, NY: carnegie Foundationfor the Advancement of Teaching.

8. Lovejoy, F.H., Jr. and M.B. Clark, A promotion ladder forteachers at Harvard Medical School: experience and chal-lenges. Acad Med, 1995. 70(12): p. 1079-86.

9. Nieman, L.Z., G.D. Donoghue, L.L. Ross, et al.,Implementing a comprehensive approach to managingfaculty roles, rewards, and development in an era ofchange. Acad Med, 1997. 72(6): p. 496-504.

10. Hamilton, G.C., A library to assist in the development ofacademic faculty in emergency medicine. J Emerg Med,1988. 6(6): p. 551-3.

11. Westberg, J. and N. Whitman, Resource materials for fac-ulty development. Fam Med, 1997. 29(4): p. 275-9.

12. Hewson, M.G., A theory-based faculty development pro-gram for clinician-educators. Acad Med, 2000. 75(5): p.498-501.

13. Palepu, A., R.H. Friedman, R.C. Barnett, et al., Junior fac-ulty members’ mentoring relationships and their profes-sional development in U.S. medical schools. Acad Med,1998. 73(3): p. 318-23.

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Dedication and LoyaltyMarcus L. Martin, MDUniversity of VirginiaSAEM Past-President

President’s Address given May 20, 2002at the SAEM Annual Meeting in St.Louis, Missouri.

As I stated in my InauguralPresident’s Message in Atlanta, in May2001, SAEM’s main goal for 2001-2002was to “March to the Arch” in St. Louisand we have successfully done so andin fine fashion. I would like to thank theEmergency Medicine Residents’Association (EMRA) for their develop-ment of the PDA guide for the AnnualMeeting in St. Louis. The state of theSociety is excellent, mainly due to thededication (commitment to a certainmission, course of action) and loyalty,(fidelity, allegiance, and faithfulness) ofthe “SAEM family”. The dedication, loy-alty and scholarly activity of the mem-bership, committees, task forces, inter-est groups, staff, Board, AEM EditorialBoard and leadership has positionedSAEM to be in an excellent state.

According to Glassick1, scholarlyactivity of all forms can be assessed insix categories (objectives, preparation,appropriate methods, significant results,effective presentation and reflective cri-tique). I believe the SAEM family hasproduced much scholarly activity anddeserves check marks of approval in allsix of these categories. I will not reiter-ate all the objectives set forth for the2001-2002 committees and task forces.However, the leadership and membersof these committees and task forces arecommended for the outstanding workthat they have done. (see table 1)

In addition, I commend the strongefforts of the Editor-in-Chief ofAcademic Emergency Medicine,Michelle Biros, and senior associate edi-tors, James Adams and David Cone.The SAEM Board was tasked with theinitiative of projecting SAEM in 2010 anddeveloping the SAEM research fundstrategic plan. The SAEM Board is alsoto be commended.

The SAEM membership is growingand our finances are stable. In 1989,the SAEM membership was 1,495 andin 1999 the membership was 4,837. Inyear 2002, the SAEM membership isapproximately 6,000. In 1989, theamount of SAEM operating revenue wasapproximately $350,000, and in 1999the operating revenue was $1.4 million.In year 2002 the operating revenue is

expected to be $1.5 million and operat-ing expenses are expected to be $1.2million. In 1989, total SAEM researchfunding was $9,000, and $140,000 in1999 and will dramatically increase to$300,000 in 2002. The SAEMreserve/endowment is $3 million. Evenwith the past year’s poor stock marketperformance, the state of our Society issolid financially. Continued growth ofthe SAEM research fund will be verydependent upon the benevolence andcharity of our growing and maturingmembership.

In projecting SAEM in 2010, theBoard surveyed the Council ofAcademic Societies (CAS). The 100CAS organizations have academic andmedical education orientation. The col-lective membership includes the majori-ty of faculty members of American med-ical schools and teaching hospitals. Iwill share with you some of the results ofthe survey: sixty percent of the organi-zations are greater than 30 years old; 10percent are 20-30 years old; twenty per-cent are 10-20 years old and 10 percentare 5-10 years old. Looking at SAEM’shistory places us in the 20% group (10-20 years old). However, if you includethe UAEM history, we are in the 20-30year old group. The average number ofmembers in CAS organizations is 7,400and the range is 100-93,000. The oper-ating expenses average $7,750,000 andthe range is $45,000 to $76,000,000.The average annual dues for CAS mem-bers is $440 with a range of $80 to$5,000. Recently, the SAEM dues wereraised to $365. The SAEM dues appearto be a real bargain. Forty percent ofthe CAS organizations have a founda-tion or an endowment fund. SAEM isincluded in that group. The averageamount of the endowment funds forCAS organizations is $2.4 million with arange of $62,000 -$5,000,000. Some ofthe CAS organizations did not report theamount of their endowments.

In the CAS survey, top challengesfaced by academic organizationsinclude the following:

Membership – aging/retention/attri-tion, quality benefits, interest in academ-ics, international influx; travel demandsand time demands.

Revenues – successful annual meet-ings, journals, endowment, outsidefunding and research/education fund-

ing.The SAEM family objectives were

established during my president-electyear. Preparation for the past year wasdone in timely fashion by individual andgroup efforts. Appropriate methodswere utilized by the SAEM family mem-bers and carried out in multiple effectiveways. We have an extensive list ofaccomplishments which I consider sig-nificant results. We have had a suc-cessful inaugural year of the virtual advi-sor program which provided mentorshipto 300 medical students. The majority ofthese medical students are located atmedical schools with no affiliated EMresidency. The faculty developmenthandbook has been completed and is asection of the website. There were suc-cessful constitution and bylaw changesand a successful election process. Asubgroup of the Board, along with Boardinput developed the SAEM researchfund strategic plan, which is a documentin evolution. Through the Board initiativeof projecting SAEM 2010, some veryimportant long-range goals were devel-oped and will serve as a resource for thenext set of 5-year goals. A series of out-standing Newsletter articles have beenwritten and shared with the membershipon research, national affairs, ethics, res-ident information, NIH information, EMresearcher profiles and grant programs.Revisions of the Emergency CareCenter Categorization application weremade and one new application was sub-mitted this year. The development of theemergency medicine training, compe-tency and professional practice princi-pals position statement was done inconjunction with and endorsed byAAEM, ACEP, AACEM, CORD andEMRA. Grant applications werereviewed and awards were made. Asuccessful combined conference washeld with the academic chairs at theannual fall AAMC meeting. We moni-tored and responded to national affairsissues such as HCFA (CMS) regulationsand others throughout the year. Severalconsultations were completed. Severalteaching modules were either devel-oped or are in the process of develop-ment such as ethics, patient safety,healthy people 2010 and academiccareers in emergency medicine. Theresident’s section of the website wasupdated. This was also the inaugural

Dedication and Loyalty (Continued)

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year for the institution training grant.There were many important contribu-tions made by interest groups and forthe first year we created leadershipupdates provided to task force and com-mittee chairs and others in leadership.Timely responses were published tocertain training practice issues such asthe ECG interpretation statement by theAmerican Heart Association and theAmerican College of Cardiology. Thesalary survey was completed. We refor-matted the medical student educationsection of the SAEM website. Anassessment of the Emergency Medicineshelf exam for students was done and adecision was made to initiate a questionand answer bank for students. Theresearch mentoring of minority resi-dents and students through the develop-ment of a cultural competency caseteaching module and the initiation ofminority student focus groups related tocareers in emergency medicine got offto a successful start. Informationretrieved through the CAS survey waspresented at the AAMC Spring CASmeeting which provided for emergencymedicine visibility at that forum. TheAEM consensus conference on “QualityIn Emergency Medicine” was a success-ful conference held at this AnnualMeeting in St. Louis. A new AEM data-base and a new funded staff position forAEM was created this year. There were6 successful SAEM regional meetingsheld this year with record attendance.

There were also some records bro-ken at the 2002 Annual Meeting in St.Louis including IEME exhibits, abstractsaccepted and the total number of work-shops and affiliated meetings. Therewere record size SAEM newsletters andonsite program brochure this year. Iquote our executive director, Mary AnnSchropp “I am going to remember youfor the year when everything SAEMprinted was the biggest ever.”

Effective presentation of the resultshas occurred through journal andnewsletter publication, regional meet-ings, leadership updates website post-ing, selective mass emails and at thisannual meeting. Reflective Critique hasoccurred through president’s messages,board updates and feedback from themembership through meeting evalua-tions.

ReflectionsMid way through my term as SAEM

president, our country was affected bythe tragedies of 9/11 and ongoing actsof bio-terrorism. It was a trying time for

Americans as we experienced terribleacts upon citizens of our country. Oursense of security was disrupted like notime before. Like many of you, I devel-oped a renewed sense of purpose in lifeand a deeper appreciation of my family,country and fellow Americans. Thenews coverage of events of 9/11 areindelibly imprinted in our minds. Aftermaking sure my department was poisedto help victims of the Pentagon attack(the Department of EmergencyMedicine at the University of Virginia islocated within 2 hours of Washington,DC), I then held the prescheduledSAEM Board teleconference that day.The Board’s resolve was to help in any-way we could, beginning with the mes-sage to support our fellow EMSproviders in New York, DC andPennsylvania. There was not a lot mostof us could do. Deep concern was feltand expressed to the victims and theirfamilies and emotional support given toall healthcare workers that diligentlyworked the frontlines to provide care.This week (May 19-25, 2002) we recog-nize national EMS week. On that day,9/11 and every day of the year,America’s EMS providers showimmense dedication and loyalty.

It has been my privilege to work withloyal and dedicated past presidents, 11of them, during my years on the Board.I have learned a lot from them andappreciate their dedication. These pastpresident include Art Sanders, MD,John Marx, MD, Bill Barsan, MD, SteveDronen, MD, Louis Binder, MD, ScottSyverud, MD, Louis Ling, MD, DavidSklar, MD, Sandy Schneider, MD, LewisGoldfrank, MD and Brian Zink, MD.

I had the great pleasure of beginningmy presidency, delivering the KeynoteAddress at the 13th annual EmergencyMedicine Research Day and 25thAnniversary of Emergency MedicineProgram at Indiana. They guarded mevery closely and made sure I performedthe traditional presidential duties remov-ing the garbage following the programluncheon. I did so with a smile and whilesinging a song. I also had the opportu-nity the last several years to travel tovarious other emergency medicine pro-grams in nearly 15 different states.

Loyalty and dedication in our organi-zation extend throughout. A very bigthank you is in order for the SAEM staffincluding Jennifer, Karyn, Sonya, Sylvia,Frank, Patty and Mary Ann. Mary Ann,the Society for Academic EmergencyMedicine recognizes your loyalty and

dedication for your work in the adminis-trative/executive director capacity forUAEM/SAEM for the past 25 years.

The Society’s mission is to improvepatient care by advancing research andeducation in emergency medicine. Themission and accomplishments of theSociety are direct results of Mary Ann’slabor. We are deeply indebted.

During my year as SAEM President,I wrote some tales. Abraham Lincolnhad the popular reputation of being astoryteller.2 It was not the story itself,but the purpose or effect that interestedLincoln. To avoid long and useless dis-cussions by others or luxurious explana-tions, Lincoln often used a short story toillustrate his point. Lincoln felt that thesharpness of a refusal or the edge of arebuke could be blunted by an appro-priate story so as to save wounded feel-ing and yet serve the purpose. Lincolnwas not simply a storyteller but story-telling as an emollient saved him frictionand distress.

The following is a tale on leadershipI heard in church one Sunday morning:My minister was preaching a sermon onthe family. His sermon discussed thefather as the head/leader; submissionby wives to husbands; father’s not exas-perating children and children stayingout of trouble and doing good. The min-ister told a story about the wife who wasmaking her husband’s favorite salad.She worked hours, putting in all theingredients. Their 7-year old son raninto the kitchen and knocked over thebowl. The salad spread to the flooreverywhere. The mother, now irate, ranafter the boy through the house. Theboy ran under the house. The motherstated “I am not coming under thereafter you.” Your father will take care ofyou when he gets home. The fathercame home and saw the salad all overthe floor. The mother said “look whatyour son has done!” I want you to godown under the house and punish him.The father said “I just came from work”.“I don’t want to get in the middle of this”.The mother replied, “go punish him Isaid”. In submission, the father said “Iwill.” The father went under the house,sat down beside his son. The little boysaw his father “exasperated”, said “Dadwhat’s the matter, she after you too?”Sometimes leaders are led, sometimesleaders submit and sometimes leaderscan become exasperated. Good lead-ers are good listeners. I hope that Ihave been a good leader for SAEM andit is my goal, even after presidency, to

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maintain the highest level of dedicationand loyalty to the organization.

On the home front, my loyal dog andgood buddy “Peanut” does an amazingjob guarding my household, particularlymy office door. Sometimes he gets mein trouble at home when he growls asmy wife passes the hallway by my officedoor. I have to watch Peanut’s behaviorso that we both are not thrown out of thehouse. I am grateful for my family. Twosons and two daughters who have beendedicated to completion of degrees ofhigher education. Three of whom havecompleted college and one with 2 yearsremaining. One son just completed col-lege at UVA, and had his commence-ment exercise was yesterday. I had to

leave shortly after he received his diplo-ma and missed the family gatheringafterwards. However, my wife calledand left a voice mail message that intoday’s Charlottesville, Virginia paperappeared a picture of my son huggingmy wife at the graduation. This was anAssociated Press picture that appearedin multiple papers around the state. Thiswas great news and very uplifting for meto hear that this occurred.

Dedication and loyalty require com-mitment and passion. There are manypersonal examples that I can give of myfamily’s dedication and loyalty. My old-est son, a body builder day in and dayout without exception, goes to the gymto exercise and has committed himself

to specific dietary habits that the aver-age person could not maintain. I admirehim for doing something I have difficultyaccomplishing. Most importantly, mywife and children have been dedicatedand loyal to me throughout the manyyears of my SAEM membership andboard activities.

Thanks to the entire SAEM family foryour trust, support, dedication and loyal-ty. It has been an outstanding year forSAEM and I could not have performedmy duties as President of the organiza-tion without your support. Continueddedication and loyalty of the SAEMmembership is extremely important tocontinue the evolution of SAEM into asuperior academic organization.

Dedication and Loyalty (Continued)

Table 1: Committees and Task Forces (2001-02) Chair(s)

Constitution and Bylaws Committee Kate Heilpern, MD Consultation Service Task Force Louis Binder, MD & Linda Spillane, MD Emergency Center for Categorization Committee Andrew Sama, MD Ethics Committee Catherine Marco, MD Faculty Development Committee John Gallagher, MD Financial Development Committee Scott Syverud, MD Graduate Medical Education Committee Michael Beeson, MD Grants Committee Chair James Quinn, MD National Affairs Committee James Hoekstra, MD Nominating Committee Roger Lewis, MD, PhD Patient Safety Task Force Robert Wears, MD Program Committee Ellen Weber, MD Public Health Task Force Carlos Carmargo, MD Public Relations Committee Marcus Martin, MD Research Committee Mark Angelos, MD Salary Survey Task Force Steve Kristal, MD Undergraduate Committee Wendy Coates, MD & Stephen Thomas, MD Under Represented Member Research Glenn Hamilton, MD

Mentoring Task Force

References1. Glassick E, Huber Mt, Maeroff GI. Scholarship Assessed: Evaluation of the Professoriate. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass,

19972. Phillips DT. Lincoln on Leadership –Executive Strategies for Tough Times. Warner Books Inc., NY, NY, 1992.

the most current data on women in U.S. academic medicine.Other links are to the Women in Medicine (WIM) program andits listserv, which facilitates networking and electronic discus-sions. Additional areas explored through this site include gen-der-specific role models, women in leadership positions in aca-demic medicine, gender equity in salary and academic rank(the “glass ceiling, sticky floor” phenomenon), family and par-enting issues, and women’s health in medical education.

7. The section entitled “Sabbaticals, Conferences,Seminars, and Distance Learning” offers a wide variety of linkstargeted at multiple facets of academic career development.

8. Finally, the website closes with an extensive and diverse

annotated electronic bibliography pertinent to academic careerdevelopment.

In summary, faculty development in Emergency Medicine,much like this website, is a continually evolving work inprogress. Optimally, faculty development begins in the earliestpossible stages of a career and continues throughout theremainder of one’s academic life. The SAEM FacultyDevelopment Committee hopes the information provided onthis website will be of some help in furthering the broad rangeof career goals and eclectic interests of academic emergencyphysicians.

SAEM Faculty Development Website (Continued)

The Top 5 Most-Frequently-Read Contents of AEMDuring the Month of May 2002

Most-read rankings are recalculated at the beginning of the month. Rankings are based on hits received by articlesarchived on AEMJ.org.

The ACLS Thirty-minute Stop Guideline: Consequences of NoncomplianceJames T Niemann, Samuel J Stratton, Nisha Chandra-StrobosAcad Emerg Med May 01, 2002 9: 459-459. (In "CPR")

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Analgesia in Children with Acute Abdominal PainMichael K. Kim, Richard T. Strait, Thomas T. Sato, Halim M. HennesAcad Emerg Med Apr 01, 2002 9: 281-287. (In "CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS")

The Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women Suspected of Urinary Tract InfectionTara Shapiro, Mark Dalton, John Hammock, Jeff Lebowitz, Robert F Lavery, John Matjucha, David SaloAcad Emerg Med May 01, 2002 9: 369-369. (In "Infectious Disease")

Topical Local Anesthetic Application to Wounds in Children: Does Application at the Time of TriageDecrease the Overall Treatment Time in the Emergency Department?Stephen Priestley, Anne-Maree Kelly, Linda Chow, Colin V E Powell, Anne WilliamsAcad Emerg Med May 01, 2002 9: 449-450. (In "Wound Care")

Antomicrobial-impregnated Endotracheal Tubes for the Prevention of Ventilator-associated PneumoniaVictor Pacheco-Fowler, Trupti Gaonkar, Lester Sampath, Peter Wyer, Modak ShantaAcad Emerg Med May 01, 2002 9: 368-368. (In "Infectious Disease")

1111222233334444

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Call For NominationsYoung Investigator Award

Deadline: December 13, 2002In May 2003, SAEM will recognize a few young investigators who have demonstrated promise and distinction in their

emergency medicine research careers. The purpose of the award is to recognize and encourage emergency physi-cians/scientists of junior academic rank who have a demonstrated commitment to research as evidenced by academicachievement and qualifications. The criteria for the award includes:

1. Specialty training and certification in emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine.2. Evidence of significant research collaboration with a senior clinical investigator/scientist. This may be in the setting of

a collaborative research effort or a formal mentor-trainee relationship.3. Academic accomplishments which may include:

a. postgraduate training/education: research fellowship, master’s program, doctoral program, etc.b. publications: abstracts, papers, review articles, chapters, case reports, etc.c. research grant awardsd. presentations at national research meetingse. research awards/recognition

The deadline for the submission of nominations is December 13, 2002, and nominations should be submitted electroni-cally to saem@saem.org. Nominations should include the candidate’s CV and a cover letter summarizing why the candidatemerits consideration for this award. Candidates can nominate themselves or any SAEM member can nominate a deservingyoung investigator. Candidates may not be senior faculty (associate or full professor) and must not have graduated from theirresidency program prior to June 30, 1996.

The core mission of SAEM is to advance teaching and research in our specialty. This recognition may assist the careeradvancement of the successful nominees. We also hope the successful candidates will serve as role models and inspi-rations to us all. Your efforts to identify and nominate deserving candidates will help advance the mission of our Society.

SAEM

President’s Message (Continued)regarding the evaluation and funding ofclinical research proposals, an NIHpanel met from early 1995 until late1996 with the charge “…to review thestatus of clinical research in the UnitedStates and to make recommendationsto the advisory committee to theDirector, NIH about how to ensure itseffective continuance.”1 This panel con-cluded, among other things, that it wasimportant to include experienced clinicalinvestigators on grant review panels

and, moreover, to ensure that clinicalresearch proposals were only reviewedby panels whose workload included asubstantial number of clinical researchproposals. The panel’s report alsoemphasized the importance of substan-tive research training for clinical investi-gators, concluding that “The NIH shouldimprove the quality of training for clinicalresearchers by requiring grantee organ-izations to provide formal training expe-riences in clinical research and careful

mentoring by experienced clinical inves-tigators.”

While the NIH has publicly statedthat it values clinical research and willstrive to ensure that such research isevaluated fairly and funded appropriate-ly, the question remains whether thereare data available which address NIH’ssuccess in meeting his goal. The mostdirect evidence is probably the fundingrate (the fraction of submitted proposals

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President’s Message (Continued)which are funded) for career develop-ment grants in the K series. Thesecareer development grants are intendedto foster the development of young fac-ulty members during the critical transi-tional period after fellowship or post-doctoral training but before the investi-gator has a sufficient research trackrecord and experience to compete fortraditional investigator-initiated funding.For the purposes of this discussion, wewill consider two flavors of the Kawards, the K08 awards which supportthe career development of investigatorsconducting basic or laboratoryresearch, and the K23 awards, whichare available to investigators pursuingcareers in patient oriented research.

Figure 1 (adapted from the NIH web-site2) shows the funding success rate fora variety of K awards. The K08 programhas been in existence since before1990, and currently has a funding rateof 49%. The K23, patient orientedresearch career development program,has only been in existence since 1999but its funding rate is 46%—virtuallyidentical to that of the K08 basic scienceprogram. Thus, at least as measured byfunding success rates, the NIH appearsto value clinical and basic researchequally. Additional data from the NIHshows that the success rate for K23applications is similar across all of theNIH institutes that use this fundingmechanism. As an aside, while onemight question the validity of using dataonly from career development grants tomeasure NIH’s general commitmenttowards clinical research. I believe it isexactly these grants that are most rele-vant to the field of emergency medicine.As a specialty, we are still working todevelop clinical research expertise—thus, these grants havetremendous potentialimpact on our specialty.

If there is no evidencethat NIH systematically dis-criminates against clinicalresearch, perhaps emer-gency medicine investiga-tors are frustrated by a sys-tematic bias against inves-tigators with primary med-ical training (MD degrees),as opposed to graduatetraining (PhD degrees).The available data do notsupport the contention thatthis bias exists either, how-ever. Figure 2 shows boththe number of applications

submitted by investigators whose pri-mary training is medical (e.g., MDs,MD/MPH, and MD/PhD) and those withonly PhD degrees, and the associatedsuccess rates. While the vast majorityof applications are submitted by investi-gators with only PhD degrees, the suc-cess rate for applications, shown on theleft-hand vertical axis, is virtually identi-cal for the MD-degree and PhD-degreeapplicants. The funding rate does fluc-tuate from year to year, primarily basedon the availability of funds appropriatedby Congress. Regardless, there is noevidence of any bias in funding deci-sions based on the primary degree ofthe investigator.

Even if theavailable evi-dence suggeststhat the NIH isactively fundingclinical research,and does notd i s c r i m i n a t ebased on the pri-mary degree ofthe investigator,it is still possiblethat there is asystematic biasagainst applica-tions submittedby emergencyphysicians. Thisis a difficultquestion toaddress directly,because the NIHsystem for categorizing the specialty ofthe investigator does not include a cate-gory for emergency medicine. Thus,many of the applications submitted byemergency physicians are categorized

as coming from departments of medi-cine, surgery, or even other fields. Ihave been told that the system for cate-gorizing the specialty of the investigatoris based on categories used in a surveyadministered by the AAMC, and thatthere has been some resistance toincluding emergency medicine as aseparate category on this survey, as thiswould make it difficult to compare cur-rent data with data from years past.

There is indirect evidence, however,that federal funding agencies recognizethe importance of emergency medicineresearch and fund a substantial numberof emergency-medicine related proj-ects. For example, a current search of

the CRISP database, which lists fundedapplications from NIH Institutes and theAgency for Healthcare Research andQuality (AHRQ), using the key word“emergency” yields 204 new grants

beginning in the years2000-2002. A substantialfraction of these projectsare being conducted byinvestigators who woulddescribe themselves asemergency physicians. Inaddition, the NIH websiteincludes a page whichspecifically lists fundedprojects in emergencymedicine for the year2001.4 The development ofthis page is somewhat of acuriosity, as it is attributedto a single universitysource, and apparently wasnot developed internally

(continued on next page)Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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President’s Message (Continued)within the NIH. I believe the posting ofthis page shows that, even within theNIH, there is a recognition that theyhave a difficulty in identifying the emer-gency medicine projects that are eithersubmitted or funded.

The best data regarding the successof emergency physicians securing fed-eral funding for their research is proba-bly that published by Camargo et al asan abstract.5 Dr. Camargo’s group iden-tified emergency medicine investigatorsserving as principal investigators onfederal grants from 1986 to 1999, usingan extensive search of the CRISP data-base and a variety of other methods.They identified 45 such investigatorsand, of these investigators, 56% had anMD degree and 36% had an MD plusanother degree. These 45 researchersreceived a total of 77 grants during1986-1999 but, ironically, emergencymedicine was listed as the investigator’sdepartment for only 14% of the grants.This illustrates the magnitude of theproblem associated with identifying fed-erally funded research in emergencymedicine—namely that most emer-gency physicians are not identified withtheir specialty. In 25% of cases, thedepartment was identified as medicineand in 6% as surgery.

The 77 grants were distributedacross a wide range of scientific areas,including 29% in toxicology, 12% inischemia-reperfusion injury, 10% inresuscitation, and 10% in EMS.Seventy-five percent of grants wereawarded by NIH Institutes, 21% byAHRQ, 3% by HRSA, and 1% by theCDC. The most noteworthy finding isnot the number or distribution of grants,however, but the number of grantsreceived as a function of time. Figure 3shows the number of new federal grantsreceived during each two-year block oftime. There has beena marked increase inthe rate at which emer-gency physicians arereceiving federal fund-ing and, moreover, thetotal number of grantsis now equal to or larg-er than the number ofmajor grants given bythe traditional emer-gency medicine-direct-ed sources (e.g., theEmergency MedicineFoundation andSAEM). In otherwords, federal funding

agencies are now a major, and possiblythe major, source of funding for investi-gator-initiated research in emergencymedicine.

Based both on the data summarizedabove, and my own experience as aguest reviewer on a number of studysections, I believe it is clear that studysection members do not consider theclinical specialty of the investigator.What is important to those reviewinggrant applications is the match betweenthe proposed work and goals of thefunding program, the quality of the pro-posal itself, the investigator’s trackrecord and the preliminary data includ-ed in the application, and the institution-al research environment. It is also clearthat NIH personnel are aware of the dif-ficulties surrounding the tracking ofapplications and funded proposals inemergency medicine, and are activelyworking to ensure that extramuralresearch in emergency medicine isreviewed and handled appropriately.

This year, SAEM has created a taskforce, chaired by Michelle Biros, theEditor-in-Chief of Academic EmergencyMedicine, whose goal is to examine anumber of issues surrounding the feder-al funding of emergency medicine anddisaster medicine related research.While the precise objectives for the taskforce can be found on the SAEM web-site,6 they center around ensuring thatwe have accurate data on the currentfunding of emergency medicine and dis-aster medicine research by federalagencies, evaluating the current struc-ture of federal funding data to ensurethat accurate and complete informationis available in the future, and evaluatingthe current potential for the creation offederal funding programs specificallytargeting emergency medicine and dis-aster medicine research. This last

objective requires some further expla-nation, however. The term “program”can mean many things. A federal fund-ing program may consist simply of theexplicit listing of emergency medicineand disaster medicine as falling withinthe scope of currently-existing fundingopportunities, it could consist of specificset-aside funds within current grant pro-grams, or it could consist of specificrequests for applications (RFAs) target-ing emergency medicine and/or disastermedicine. Clearly a large number of dis-aster medicine research programs willbe created after the recent terrorist andbioterrorism attacks, based on newlyappropriated funding.

In summary, I believe there is no evi-dence to support many common mythsregarding the federal funding of emer-gency medicine research. Our col-leagues are often successful, andincreasingly so, in obtaining federalfunds for emergency medicineresearch. This success includes bothbench and clinical research. The short-term challenge for our specialty is toobtain accurate and complete informa-tion on the federal funding of emer-gency medicine research, and to usethis information to dispel some of themyths which, paradoxically, discouragemany investigators from pursuing suchfunding even though the success ratesfor certain federal grant programs arehigher than the corresponding rates foremergency medicine-targeted founda-tions. The long-term challenge, howev-er, is to make sure there is an increas-ing number of well-trained investigatorswho have adequate protected time topursue their research endeavors, sothat we can build on our accomplish-ments so far.

This article was adapted from Dr. Lewis’remarks at the SAEM Annual MeetingBanquet on May 20, 2002 in St. Louis.

References1.http://www.nih.gov/news/crp/97report/execsum.htm

2.http://grants1.nih.gov/training/data/K_FY2001/sld012.htm

3.http://silk.nih.gov/public/cbz2zoz.@www.mdsphds.pdf

4.http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/award/trends/emermed01.htm

5.Camargo CA Jr., Kim SH. Federal fund-ing of emergency medicine investigators.Ann Emerg Med 2000;36:S10.

6.http://www.saem.org/inform/02tfobj.htmFigure 3.

33

34

FACULTY POSITIONSALBANY MEDICAL CENTER – RESIDENCY DIRECTOR. We have a fullyaccredited PG 1-3 residency in Emergency Medicine and accept 10 residentsper year. We are the oldest academic department of emergency medicine inNYS. Applicants should be board certified in emergency medicine and haveprevious experience in and a strong commitment to resident education andresearch. Send a letter and CV to Mara McErlean, MD, Interim Chair, AlbanyMedical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine MC 139, 43 NewScotland Ave., Albany, New York 12208 or contact either Mara McErlean, MDor Joel Bartfield, MD at the Adams Mark.

ANN ARBOR, MI – FACULTY ACADEMIC/CLINICAL STAFF POSITION:Seeking BC/BP EM physician to join St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Level IITrauma Center with on-site Medflight air ambulance service that sees 92,000patients annually between the ED, adult and pediatric ambulatory care cen-ters, and chest pain observation unit. Approved EM Residency program spon-sored by hospital and U of M Medical Center. Employed positions offer excel-lent remuneration plus faculty stipend, productivity bonus, paid malpractice,relocation allowance, cafeteria-style benefits, 401(k), long-term disability,flexible scheduling, and more. Contact Nancy Ely @ 800-466-3764, ext.337;nely@epmgpc.com; or visit us @ EPMGPC.com.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: Attending Emergency Physicians – HarlemHospital Center Emergency Services affiliated with Columbia University,seeks residency-trained or ABEM-certified Emergency Physicians who haveexcellent clinical skills, a strong interest in teaching and a commitment topublic medicine. We are a 290-bed, Level 1 trauma center, regional burncenter, EMS-based station with over 75,000 annual visits. An appointment tothe faculty of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons isanticipated at the Instructor or Assistant Clinical Professor level,commensurate with experience. Competitive salary and benefits packageprovided. Submit CV to: Reynold Trowers, MD, Director of EmergencyServices, Harlem Hospital Center, 506 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037or call him at (212) 939-2253. Columbia University takes affirmative action toensure equal opportunity.

MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: The Department of EmergencyMedicine is recruiting board certified or eligible emergency physicians for itsMount Sinai, Elmhurst and Jersey City sites. We are an academic departmentwith a fully accredited emergency medicine residency. Our supportive lead-ership is looking for individuals interested in pursuing a multidimensionalacademic career. Many opportunities for research, teaching and participationin the life of medical school are available. We are committed to faculty careerdevelopment and job satisfaction. Prospective applicants can contact SheldonJacobson MD, Chair Emergency Medicine via email @sheldon.jacobson@mssm.edu, fax (212) 426-1946, phone (212) 659-1660.

OHIO, Columbus: Academic Chair/Director of Emergency Medicine partner-ship opportunity at Doctors Hospital. Modern, two-campus facility hosts 32residents in an AOA-approved emergency medicine residency program and ispursuing dual accreditation with ACGME. Emergency Medicine Physicians isa highly regarded regional group of emergency medicine residency trainedphysicians offering equal equity ownership in a dynamic, democratic organi-zation with guaranteed due process. The Directors will work 80-120 clinicalhours/month plus protected administrative/academic time with stipend.Outstanding compensation package includes partnership/profit sharing, fullyfunded pension ($24,000/yr.), business expense account ($15,000/yr.), familyhealth/dental/prescription plan, life/disability insurance, flex saving, 401(k),malpractice, and more. For more information contact Kevin M. Klauer, DO,FACEP or Dominic J. Bagnoli, Jr., MD, FACEP at Emergency MedicinePhysicians, Ltd., 4535 Dressler Road NW, Canton, OH 44718, 800-828-0898, e-mail (careers@emp.com), or FAX CV to 330-493-8677.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY: Assistant/Associate or Full Professor. Establishedresidency training program. Level 1 Trauma center. Nationally recognizedresearch program. Clinical opportunities at OSU Medical Center and affiliat-ed hospitals. Send curriculum vitae to: Douglas A. Rund, MD, Professor andChairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University,016 health Sciences Library, 376 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 orcall (614) 293-8176. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE: The Division of EmergencyMedicine is recruiting an experienced EM researcher to join our 14 full-timefaculty. Appointment at the Associate or Professor level in the Clinical Scholarseries anticipated. Substantial protected time available. UCI Medical Center isa 472-bed tertiary care hospital with a full range of residencies. The ED is aprogressive 33-bed Level 1 Trauma Center with 45,000 patients, in urbanOrange County. Collegial relationships with all services. Board certificationrequired. MPH, PhD or research fellowship/training strongly desired.Excellent salary and benefits with clinical and academic productivityincentive plan. Inquiries held in strict confidence. Send CV to Mark I.

The Department of Emergency Medicine (EM) seeks a FTacademic emergency physician with expertise in EMresearch. The position will include substantial protected timeas well as administrative support. Boston Medical Center(BMC) is a Level 1 Trauma Center with 95,000 visitsannually. The Department of EM is separate within BMCand also serves as an academic department within BostonUniversity School of Medicine. The emergency departmenthas a well established residency program & expertise in thefollowing areas of research: cardiology, asthma, gynecology,EMS, infectious disease, substance abuse and domesticviolence.

Research staff currently includes a FT NurseCoordinator–FT PhD Epidemiologist–PT ResearchNurse–PT secretary. Candidates must be ABEM boardcertified or eligible and demonstrate a commitment toemergency medicine research. Must possess formal trainingor an established track record in Emergency MedicineResearch. Competitive salary with excellent benefitpackage.

Further Information Contact…Robert Dart MD/ResearchDirector–Department of Emergency Medicine–BostonMedical Center–1 BMC Place–Boston, MA 02118-2393TEL: 617-414-4849–FAX: 617-414-5975–Email:rdart@bu.edu

RESEARCHER

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

NEW YORK – Albany MedicalCenter

is seeking applications for the position ofResidency Director.We have a fullyaccredited PG 1-3 residency in Emergencymedicine and accept 10 residents per year.First established in 1988, our emergencydepartment is the oldest academicdepartment of emergency medicine in thestate of New York. Albany Medical Center isa Level I Trauma center. Our emergencydepartment has an annual census of 65,000of which 16,000 are pediatric patients.Applicants should be board certified inemergency medicine and have previousexperience in and a strong commitment toresident education and research. Academicrank and salary commensurate with previousexperience and accomplishments. Qualifiedapplicants should send a cover letter and CVto Mara McErlean, MD, Interim Chair, AlbanyMedical Center, Department of EmergencyMedicine MC 139, 43 New Scotland Ave.,Albany, New York 12208.

35

Langdorf, MD, MHPE, FACEP, FAAEM, UCI Medical Center, Route 128. 101City Drive, Orange, CA 92868 or email to milangdo@uci.edu. University ofCalifornia is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence throughdiversity.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE: The Division of EmergencyMedicine is recruiting a 15th full-time faculty member. Appointmentanticipated at the Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor level, or in theClinical Scholar series with demonstrated academic achievement. UCIMedical Center is a 472-bed tertiary care hospital with a full range ofresidencies. The ED is a progressive 33-bed Level 1 Trauma Center with45,000 patients, in urban Orange County. Collegial relationships with allservices. Board certification required. Fellowship or advanced degree stronglydesired. Excellent salary and benefits with incentive plan. Send CV and threeletters of reference to Mark I. Langdorf, MD, MHPE, FACEP, FAAEM, UCIMedical Center, Route 128. 101 City Drive, Orange, CA 92868. University ofCalifornia is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence throughdiversity.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY: Academic physician grouppractice, Hospital Hill Health Services Corporation, is seeking an EmergencyMedicine physician to fill a newly-created full-time appointment at theAssistant or Associate Professor level for the University of Missouri-KansasCity School of Medicine and Truman Medical Center beginning August 1,2002. Candidates must be residency-trained and BC/BE in EM. Clinical oracademic track available, with preference given to those with an establishedtrack record in research or interest in ultrasonography, substanceabuse/toxicology, or injury prevention. Contact Robert A. Schwab, M.D.,Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, 2310 Holmes Street, Kansas City,MO 64108. (816) 556-3250. Robert.Schwab@tmcmed.org. EOE

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY: The Department of Emergency Medicine has anunexpected opening for a clinician-educator at a level commensurate withqualifications. Please consider joining our successful Department. We have1st and 4th year medical student rotations, a Level I Trauma Center,contiguous Pediatric and Adult ED’s, a superb residency and all the othercomponents of a well established program. We provide great benefits andNashville is a great city. Please reply to Corey M. Slovis, M.D., Chairman,Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 703 OxfordHouse, Nashville, TN. 37232-4700. Email: corey.slovis@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu. Vanderbilt is an equalopportunity employer.

Associate Residency Director/Director of US. Newark BethIsrael Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey/St. Barnabas

Health Care System (18 miles from NYC). Academicaffiliation/appointment Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York,

New York. ED volume 77,000 visits in 2001: approx 2/3 adults, 1/3 children. Pediatric ED administratively part of

Department of EM, staffing with EM and peds EM BC/BPphysicians. Fully ACGME-accredited EM residency with 30

residents in a PGY 1,2,3 format. Highly supportive and collegialteam of 20 EM faculty with diverse interests and talents, all

BC/BP EM or peds EM. Research Division headed by VC forAcademic Affairs and Research Director. Fully implemented USprogram with 2 sonosite machines, US credentialling and CQI byDepartment of EM. Highly competitive compensation package

and non-clinical time for academic and administrativeresponsibilities. We are seeking an experienced

teacher/academician for Associate Residency Director at theAssistant, or, preferably, the Associate Professor level. I am

particularly interested in exploring the possibility of creating aposition of Director, US/ Associate Director, EM Residency for

an individual with ultrasonography experience/credentials.Please contact:

Marc Borenstein, MDChair and Residency Director

Department of EMNewark Beth Israel Medical Center

973-926-7562 phone973-926-1894 fax

e-mail: mborenstein@sbhcs.com

I may also be reached at the Adams Mark Hotel during the SAEM Meeting

Faculty Position

Cook County HospitalDepartment of

Emergency Medicine

This is an extremely attractive position withone of the largest residencies in the coun-try. We have a very active research divi-sion and are moving into a new hospital in August 2002. Competitive salary and time for faculty development. To apply send C.V. to:

Robert R. Simon, M.D.Professor and Chairman

Department of Emergency Medicine1900 W. Polk Street, Room 1035

Chicago, IL 60612

Molecular Brain Resuscitation Fellowship

The Molecular Brain Resuscitation Laboratory at theUniversity of Pennsylvania is offering a two-yearresearch fellowship to Emergency MedicineResidency graduates interested in studying themolecular mechanism of acute neuronal injurycaused by stroke, cardiac arrest and head trauma. Thistraining program is part of a multidisciplinarycollaboration between NIH-funded laboratories inthe Departments of Emergency Medicine,Neurosurgery, Neurology and Pharmacology. Thefellowship is supported by an Institutional TrainingGrant from the Society for Academic EmergencyMedicine. Fellows will be enrolled in the NeuroscienceGraduate Program enabling them to pursue a PhD inNeuroscience. Clinical duties are limited to 4 EDshifts/month. Salary ~95K. Start date July of 2003.

Send letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

Robert W. Neumar, MD, PhDHospital of the University of PennsylvaniaDepartment of Emergency Medicine3400 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19087Voice: (215) 898-4960Fax: (215) 573-5140Email: rneumar@mail.med.upenn.eduWebsite: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/em/brain/

36

Department of Emergency MedicineBrigham and Women’s Hospital

A Teaching Affiliate ofHarvard Medical School

Fellowship Director, Institute forInternational Emergency Medicine and Health

• Full-time position in the Institute for International EmergencyMedicine and Health (IEMH), a rapidly growing division withinBrigham and Women’s Hospital Department of EmergencyMedicine dedicated to improving emergency medical carethroughout the world.

• Oversight of two-year fellowship program in internationalemergency medicine and health, combining clinical emergencymedicine, fieldwork, and a Master’s degree from the HarvardSchool of Public Health.

• Involvement in IEMH’s large-scale emergency medicine systems-building and train-the-trainers programs.

• Appointment to the Clinician Scholar or Clinical Investigatortrack with Harvard Medical School faculty appointment.

• Base hospital for the four-year Harvard Affiliated EmergencyMedicine Residency (HAEMR) training program.

• Competitive salary, outstanding comprehensive benefit package.Requirements:• ABEM board eligibility or certification and completion of a PGY1-

4 or PGY 2-4 Emergency Medicine Residency Program.• Established track record in and demonstrated commitment to

International emergency medicine and health.

Please send your letter of interest with curriculum vitae to:Mark A. Davis, M.D., M.S., DirectorInstitute for International Emergency Medicine and Health (IEMH)Department of Emergency MedicineBrigham and Women’s Hospital75 Francis Street, Room PBB-100Boston, MA 02115Email: madavis@partners.org

The College of Medicine at the University of FloridaGainesville Campus is recruiting for the position ofClinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Associate Professor inthe Department of Emergency Medicine. This teachinghospital emphasizes active involvement with EmergencyMedicine residents and medical students. The position couldadvance to tenure accruing depending upon qualificationsand level of experience. The ideal applicant will beresidency and board certified in Emergency Medicine,mature with an academic track record, and significantteaching experience. Faculty will provide clinical guidanceand supervision of treatment delivered in the ED. Aprogressive, democratic, superb, 10-person faculty group ofteam players with emphasis on quality emergency care withdedicated customer service. Shands at UF is the hub of amulti-hospital network. Emergency Medicine medicallydirects county EMS and hospital transport including theShandsCare helicopter. Shands Hospital at the University ofFlorida offers a competitive salary and benefits packageincluding relocation incentives. Great compensations, Greatbenefits package, Great City!

Application deadline: September 30, 2002. Anticipated startdate: November 1, 2002. Please send CV to David C.Seaberg, MD, F.A.C.E.P. Associate Professor and AssociateChairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, Universityof Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, PO Box 100186,Gainesville, FL 32610-0392. Women and minorities areencouraged to apply. University of Florida is an AffirmativeAction Equal Opportunity Employer.

Residency DirectorCook County Hospital

Chicago, IllinoisThe Department of Emergency Medicine at Cook CountyHospital is seeking candidates for Residency Director.Applicants must be residency trained and board certified inEmergency Medicine and active at the national level withresident education and training. Applicants should beenergetic, motivated and possess outstanding teaching andleadership skills. The Department of Emergency Medicine atCook County Hospital has 54 residents in a PGY II-IV formatand 26 full time faculty. The Emergency Departments care for115,000 adult, 30,000 pediatric and 5,000 Level I trauma patientseach year. A new 463 bed Cook County Hospital will becompleted in the fall of 2002 with a new state of the art EDelectronic information system. The Residency Director is incharge of the Education Division within the departmentsupervising all educational activities and provides leadershipand mentoring for the Associate and Assistant ResidencyDirectors. The department offers a very competitive benefitpackage and protected time to pursue educational,administrative and research projects. Faculty appointments areat our medical school affiliate, Rush Medical College.

Interested candidates should contact:Jeff Schaider, MD, FACEP, Associate ChairmanDepartment of Emergency MedicineCook County Hospital1900 West Polk Street 10th floorChicago, IL 60612Telephone - 312 633 5451jschaider@ccbh.org

International Emergency MedicineFellowship

International Emergency Medicine Fellowship involves:• Two-year track combining clinical emergency medicine,

international fieldwork and a project• Academic classes leading to a Master’s degree at the

Harvard School of Public Health• Academic appointment at Harvard Medical School• Clinical emergency medicine at affiliated teaching

hospitals• Participation in training of medical students and

residents• Competitive salary, benefits, CME, international travel

funds, and training course expenses• Opportunity to tailor experience to meet interests in

disaster response, medical neutrality, human rights,health emergencies in large populations, internationalpublic health, and refugee relief

Requires:• Completion of an Emergency Medicine residency

program• Completion of application process, interview, and

selection

Inquiries should be sent to:Daniel Gurr, MD, Fellowship DirectorDepartment of Emergency MedicineBrigham and Women’s Hospital75 Francis Street, Room PBB-100 (617) 732-5813Boston, MA 02115 or by e-mail dgurr@partners.org

37

SAEM Membership Application

Please complete and send to SAEM with appropriate dues, $25 initiation fee, and supporting materials.SAEM • 901 N. Washington Ave. • Lansing, MI 48906 • 517-485-5484 • Fax: 517-485-0801 • www.saem@saem.org

Name ______________________________________________________________________ Title: MD DO PhD Other _________

Home Address _______________________________________________________________ Birthdate_________________ Sex: M F

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Business Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Preferred Mailing Address (please circle): Home Business

Telephone: Home ( ______ ) ______________________________ Business ( ______ ) ______________________________

FAX: ( ______ ) _____________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________

Medical School or University Faculty Appointment and Institution (if applicable): _________________________________________________

Membership benefits include:• subscription to SAEM’s monthly, peer-reviewed journal, Academic Emergency Medicine• subscription to the bimonthly SAEM Newsletter• reduced registration fee to attend the SAEM Annual Meeting

Check membership category: ❒ Active ❒ Associate ❒ Resident ❒ Fellow ❒ Medical Student

Active: individuals with an advanced degree (MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, DSc or equivalent) who hold a university appointment or are actively involvedin Emergency Medicine teaching or research. Annual dues are $365 plus a $25 initiation fee payable when the application is submitted. Theapplication must be accompanied by a CV.I attest that I hold a university appointment or am actively involved in Emergency Medicine teaching or research: ❒ Yes ❒ No

Associate: health professionals, educators, government officials, members of lay or civic groups, or members of the public who have an interest inEmergency Medicine. Annual dues are $350 plus a $25 initiation fee payable when the application is submitted. The application must beaccompanied by a CV.

Resident: residents interested in Emergency Medicine. Annual dues are $90 plus a $25 initiation fee payable when the application issubmitted. My anticipated date (month and year) of residency graduation is_________. (A group discount resident member rate is available.Contact SAEM for details.)

Fellow: fellows interested in Emergency Medicine. Annual dues are $90 plus a $25 initiation fee payable when the application is submitted.My anticipated date (month and year) to complete my fellowship is_________.

Medical Student: medical students interested in Emergency Medicine. Annual dues are $75 (includes journal subscription) or $50 (excludesjournal subscription), plus a $25 initiation fee payable when the application is submitted. The application must be accompanied by a letterverifying that the applicant is a medical student and the anticipated graduation date.

Interest Groups: SAEM members are invited to join interest groups. Include $25 annual dues for each interest group:❒ airway❒ CPR/ischemia/reperfusion❒ clinical directors❒ diversity❒ domestic violence❒ EMS❒ ethics

❒ evidence-based medicine❒ geriatrics❒ health services & outcomes

research❒ injury prevention❒ international❒ medical student educators

❒ neurologic emergencies❒ pain management❒ pediatric emergency medicine❒ research directors❒ simulation❒ substance abuse❒ toxicology

❒ trauma❒ ultrasound❒ web-educators❒ youth violence prevention

My signature certifies that the information contained in this application is correct and is an indication of my desire to become an SAEM member.

Signature of applicant _______________________________________________________________________ Date ________________

38

SAEM

Call for DidacticProposals

2003 Annual MeetingMay 29-June 1, 2003

Boston, MassachusettsDeadline: September 9, 2002

The Program Committee is soliciting proposalsfor didactic sessions for the 2003 AnnualMeeting. Didactic sessions should empha-size issues of research, education, clinicaladvances in Emergency Medicine, and facul-ty development. Didactics may be aimed atmedical students, residents, junior facultyand/or senior faculty. The format may be a lec-ture, panel discussion, or workshop. The Pro-gram Committee will also review proposals forpre- or post-day workshops, or multiple ses-sions during the Annual Meeting aimed at in-depth instruction in a specific discipline.Didactic proposals should support the missionof SAEM and should fall into one of the follow-ing categories:

• Education (education methodology, improv-ing the quality of education, enhancingteaching skills)

• Research (research methodology, improvingthe quality of research)

• Career Development • State-of-the-Art (presentation of cutting-edge

basic science or clinical research that hasimportant implications for further investigationor the future practice of emergency medicine)

• Health Care Policy and National Affairs

Note that State-of-the-Art sessions are not a re-view of the literature of a summary of clinical prac-tice. All submitters are asked to briefly explainhow the session meets the SAEM mission.

The deadline for submission is Monday,September 9, 2002 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.Only on-line submissions will be accepted. Tosubmit a proposal, complete the on-lineDidactic Submission Form at www.saem.org.For additional questions or information, contactSAEM at saem@saem.org or 517-485-5484 orvia fax at 517-485-0801

SAEM

Call for Abstracts2003 Annual Meeting

May 29-June 1Boston, MassachusettsDeadline: January 7, 2003

The Program Committee is accepting abstracts forreview for oral and poster presentation at the 2003SAEM Annual Meeting. Authors are invited to sub-mit original research in all aspects of EmergencyMedicine including, but not limited to:abdominal/gastrointestinal/genitourinary patholo-gy, administrative/health care policy, airway/anes-thesia/analgesia, CPR, cardiovascular (non-CPR),clinical decision guidelines, computer technolo-gies, diagnostic technologies/radiology, disease/injury prevention, education/professional develop-ment, EMS/out-of-hospital, ethics, geriatrics, infec-tious disease, IEME exhibit, ischemia/reperfusion,neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psy-chiatry/social issues, research design/methodol-ogy/statistics, respiratory/ENT disorders, shock/critical care, toxicology/environmental injury, trau-ma, and wounds/burns/orthopedics.

The deadline for submission of abstracts isTuesday, January 7, 2003 at 3:00 pm EasternTime and will be strictly enforced. Only elec-tronic submissions via the SAEM online abstractsubmission form will be accepted. The abstractsubmission form and instructions will be availableon the SAEM web site at www.saem.org inNovember. For further information or questions,contact SAEM at saem@saem.org or 517-485-5484 or via fax at 517-485-0801.

Only reports of original research may be submit-ted. The data must not have been published inmanuscript or abstract form or presented at anational medical scientific meeting prior to the2003 SAEM Annual Meeting. Original abstractspresented at national meetings in April or May2003 will be considered.

Abstracts accepted for presentation will be pub-lished in the May issue of Academic EmergencyMedicine, the official journal of the Society forAcademic Emergency Medicine. SAEM stronglyencourages authors to submit their manuscripts toAEM. AEM will notify authors of a decision regardingpublication within 60 days of receipt of a manuscript.

SAEM 2003 Research GrantsEmergency Medicine Medical Student Interest Group GrantsThese grants provide funding of $500 each to help support the educational or research activities of emer-gency medicine medical student organizations at U.S. medical schools. Established or developing interestgroups, clubs, or other medical student organizations are eligible to apply. It is not necessary for the med-ical school to have an emergency medicine training program for the student group to apply. Deadline:September 4, 2002.

Research Training Grant This grant provides financial support of $75,000 per year for two years of formal, full-time research training for emergencymedicine fellows, resident physicians, or junior faculty. The trainee must have a concentrated, mentored program in spe-cific research methods and concepts, and complete a research project. Deadline: November 1, 2002.

Institutional Research Training GrantThis grant provides financial support of $75,000 per year for two years for an academic emergency medicine program totrain a research fellow. The sponsoring program must demonstrate an excellent research training environment with a qual-ified mentor and specific area of research emphasis. The training for the fellow may include a formal research educationprogram or advanced degree. It is expected that the fellow who is selected by the applying program will dedicate full timeeffort to research, and will complete a research project. The goal of this grant is to help establish a departmental culture inemergency medicine programs that will continue to support advanced research training for emergency medicine residencygraduates. Deadline for applications is November 1, 2002.

Scholarly Sabbatical Grant This grant provides funding of $10,000 per month for a maximum of six months to help emergency medicine faculty at thelevel of assistant professor or higher obtain release time to develop skills that will advance their academic careers. The goalof the grant is to increase the number of independent career researchers who may further advance research and educa-tion in emergency medicine. The grant may be used to learn unique research or educational methods or procedures whichrequire day-to-day, in-depth training under the direct supervision of a knowledgeable mentor, or to develop a knowledgebase that can be shared with the faculty member’s department to further research and education. Deadline: November 1,2002.

Emergency Medical Services Research FellowshipThis grant is sponsored by Medtronic Physio-Control. It provides $50,000 for a one year EMS fellowship for emergencymedicine residency graduates at an SAEM approved fellowship training site. The fellow must have an in-depth trainingexperience in EMS with an emphasis on research concepts and methods. The grant process involves a review and approvalof emergency medicine training sites as well as individual applications from potential fellows. Deadline: November 1, 2002.

Neuroscience Research FellowshipThis grant is sponsored by AstraZeneca. It provides one year of funding at $50,000 for an emergency medicine resident,graduate, or junior faculty member to obtain a mentored research training experience in cerebrovascular emergencies. Theresearch training may be in basic science research, clinical research, or a combination of both, and the mentor need not bean emergency medicine faculty member. Completion of a research project is required, but the emphasis of the fellowshipis on the acquisition of research skills. Deadline: November 1, 2002.

EMF/SAEM Medical Student Research GrantsThis grant is co-sponsored by the Emergency Medicine Foundation and SAEM. It provides up to $2400 over 3 months fora medical student to encourage research in emergency medicine. More than one grant is awarded each year. The traineemust have a qualified research mentor and a specific research project proposal. Deadline: February 3, 2003.

Geriatric Emergency Medicine Resident/Fellow GrantThis grant is made possible by the John A. Hartford Foundation and the American Geriatric Society. It provides up to $5,000to support resident/fellow research related to the emergency care of the older person. Investigations may focus on basicscience research, clinical research, preventive medicine, epidemiology, or educational topics. Deadline: March 3, 2003.

Further information and application materials can be obtained via the SAEM website at www.saem.org.

39

SAEM

Board of DirectorsRoger Lewis, MD, PhDPresident

Donald Yealy, MDPresident-Elect

Carey Chisholm, MDSecretary-Treasurer

Marcus Martin, MDPast President

James Adams, MDGlenn Hamilton, MDKatherine Heilpern, MDJames Hoekstra, MDJudd Hollander, MDDonald J. Kosiak, Jr., MD

EditorDavid Cone, MDDavid.Cone@yale.edu

Executive Director/Managing EditorMary Ann Schroppmschropp@saem.org

Advertising CoordinatorJennifer MastrovitoJennifer@saem.org

“to improve patient care byadvancing research andeducation in emergencymedicine”

The SAEM newsletter is published bimonthly by the Society for Academic EmergencyMedicine. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and donot necessarily reflect those of SAEM.

Society for AcademicEmergency Medicine901 N. Washington AvenueLansing, MI 48906-5137

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Lansing, MIPermit No. 485NEWSLETTER

Newsletter of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

SAEM NEWSLETTER

Call for Abstracts12th Annual Midwestern Regional SAEM Meeting

September 13, 2002Toledo, OH

The Program Committee is now accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations. Abstracts must be sub-mitted electronically via the SAEM web site at www.saem.org. Deadline is 3 pm eastern standard time,Friday, August 2, 2002.

Location: The Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St, Toledo, OH, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Registration fees: Faculty - $70; Residents, nurses - $30; Students, paramedics, EMTs – Free. Make checkspayable to: St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and send to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, EmergencyMedicine Residency, 2213 Cherry Street, Toledo, OH 43608.

Hotel: Reservations can be made at the Wyndham Hotel Toledo, Two SeaGate/Summit St, 1-800-473-7829, for$75 per night plus $15 valet service.

Keynote Speaker: Brian J. Zink, MD, Past President of SAEM, Associate Professor, Department of EmergencyMedicine, Assistant Dean for Medical Student Career Development, University of Michigan Medical School, willspeak on the topic: “Faculty Development in Emergency Medicine - Finding Your Mission and Your Niche.”

For information contact: Michael C. Plewa, MD, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Emergency MedicineResidency, phone: 419-251-4723, fax: 419-251-4211, e-mail: Michael_Plewa@mhsnr.org

SAEM