AAEM Resident & Student Association Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary Milestone

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2015

MILWAUKEE — The American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association (AAEM/RSA), who represents over 3,000 emergency medicine residents and medical students, is proud to announce its 10-year anniversary.

Initially formed as a section under the larger AAEM association, AAEM/RSA launched as an independent organization in 2005 outlining their vision to, “aspire to a future in which all patients have access to excellent emergency care by an emergency physician” and where “developing emergency physicians receive the highest quality training in supportive practice environments with an emphasis on personal wellness and career mentorship.”

Strong Voice for Emergency Medicine Residents & Students
Over the last 10 years, the organization has expanded its membership, offered career-planning & educational member benefits, and brought members together through engaging networking and educational events. AAEM/RSA offers opportunities for involvement for its members through serving on the board of directors, vice president’s council, committees, and special projects. There are now over 50 residency programs across the U.S. that have 100% membership with AAEM/RSA. The organization has published several books on topics ranging from finding your way through medical school, to how to prepare for your board exams. AAEM/RSA is committed to providing resources and being with their members all the way from the first year of medical school to residency graduation.

Joel Schofer, MD MBA CPE FAAEM, was president of AAEM/RSA at the time of its incorporation and currently serves on the AAEM board. He notes that “AAEM/RSA has become what we intended, an independent and strong voice for emergency medicine residents that defends the value of board certification and strives to ensure all residents and students have a fair and rewarding career in EM." 

Defending Practice Rights and Board Certification
Mark Reiter, MD MBA FAAEM, current AAEM president and past president of AAEM/RSA agrees on the organization’s legacy on promoting board certification stating that, “establishing AAEM/RSA was an important step in recognizing that issues such as protecting the value of board certification and defending physician practice rights are of paramount importance to residents and students."

Ten Years and Beyond — The Next Steps for the Future  
Looking back over the last 10 years and moving into the future, AAEM/RSA continually strives to empower residents & students and improve the specialty of EM. As current AAEM/RSA president, Victoria Weston, MD, notes “AAEM/RSA is proud to be the voice for residents and students. Over the past 10 years, we have supported residency education, fair business practices, and advocacy for our specialty. AAEM/RSA advocates that every patient should have access to a physician trained and board-certified in emergency medicine. We look forward to many more decades of providing a voice and opportunities for residents and students.”