Thankfulness

As this year comes to a close and the holiday season begins, I reflect on what is truly important in life.

I am likely no different than many of you in that at this time, the first thing I think of is my family, and their health and happiness. And if the health and happiness of my family is important, then the health and happiness of every individual is important which leads to the next thing I reflect upon…service and altruism.

While, as emergency physicians, our service provides rewards, it also entails incredible responsibility. Patients entrust us with their lives, and perhaps more importantly, with the lives of their families and loved ones. And just as I tell my daughter that I love her to Pluto and back (the moon is just too close), I try to remember that at one time, someone likely said something similar to the patient in front of me. And if, sadly, the patient has never heard this, then it is even more incumbent upon me to care for, truly care for, that patient. I know you feel the same.

And that is why we work tirelessly for AAEM. AAEM matters because entities exist which want to hinder our ability to care. No, not just hinder our ability to provide care, but actually to care.

While I am thankful for the health and happiness of my family, I am also thankful for you. I am thankful that good people exist in this world, people who care, people who are willing to fight to ensure that I can care. Thank you for truly making the Academy - The Champion of the Emergency Physician.

I thank you. May you feel loved and may peace and happiness be with you this season and always.

Jonathan S. Jones, MD FAAEM
President, American Academy of Emergency Medicine