American College of Emergency Physicians history

The first university emergency medicine residency arose at the University of Cincinnati in 1970 where Bruce Janiak became the initial resident.

In 1971, the first academic departments of emergency medicine were created at the University of Southern California and the University of Louisville, and the first emergency medicine residency program began a year after that at the University of Cincinnati.

When Ohio Chapter ACEP was founded in 1972, its mission was simple: to promote quality emergency medical care and to represent the interests of Ohio’s emergency physicians.

1975: ACOEP is recognized as an affiliate by the AOA and elects its first Board of Directors which consisted of Bruce D. Horton, D.O., President; Anthony Gerbasi, D.O., Vice President; Richard Ballinger, D.O., Secretary; and Robert L. Hambrick, D.O., Treasurer.

In 1976, the American Board of Emergency Medicine was incorporated, and on Sept.

1978: The AOA officially issues ACOEP’s charter.

1979: Gerald E. Reynolds establishes the first osteopathic emergency medicine program at PCOM.

Six hundred emergency physicians sat for the first certification examination in February 1980, with the first certification of emergency physicians by ABEM that May.

1981: The first written board exam is administered by AOBEM, the oral exam following one year later.

1982: The ACOEP Board of Directors increases from 10 to 12 members and later awards prizes for the first Residency Paper Competition.

With the introduction of the Emergency Medicine Review for the Written Board Exam in 1985, there was a shift in the way Ohio ACEP thought about its role in Ohio emergency medicine.

1986: The ACOEP Newsletter, which will later become The Pulse, becomes ACOEP’s first official publication, with David Brown, DO, serving as editor, as residency programs increase to training more than 100 physicians annually.

The organization, Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM), was formed in 1987 to create a loophole for those choosing to practice emergency medicine without formal training.

In 1988, after a well-publicized 10-year grace period, ABEM eliminated the practice track and began to require emergency medicine residency training to qualify for the ABEM certification exam.

1989: Paula Willoughby, DO becomes the first president of the ACOEP Resident Chapter.

1990: Residency programs move from a two-year program to a three-year post-internship program.

In 1991, the Association of Emergency Physicians (AEP), formerly called the Association of Disenfranchised Emergency Physicians, was formed with the goal of reopening emergency medicine board certification for non-EM residency trained physicians.

1992: ACOEP hires Janice Wachtler as its first full-time administrator.

AAEM was established in 1993 to promote fair and equitable practice environments necessary to allow emergency physicians to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

1994: Anthony Gerbasi, DO, FACOEP becomes the first ACOEP Life Member, as the first CPC Competition takes place as well as the first Intense Review held in conjunction with the Spring Seminar.

1995: ACOEP holds its first Oral Board Review Course.

1996: ACOEP establishes its first video series for 10 hours of CME credit.

1997: ACOEP hits the 1,000 member mark and swears in the first Honorary Member, John Sevastos, D.O.

1998: The Foundation for Osteopathic Emergency Medicine is established as the philanthropic arm of ACOEP.

In 2001, Ohio ACEP scored a major legislative victory by supporting and helping to pass a bill which extended legal assault protections to emergency department staff.

In the summer of 2004, US Congressman Tim Ryan of Youngstown met with Ohio ACEP members at Akron General Medical Center for a “white coat” visit, designed to help government officials better understand the profession of emergency medicine and some of its inherent challenges.

A “white coat” rally at the United States Capitol Building was organized by ACEP in 2005, and the Ohio Chapter was well-represented as emergency physicians from around the nation turned out in force to urge Congress to preserve access to emergency care for all Americans.

In 2007, Ohio ACEP began a major new initiative combining education, advocacy, and leadership development.

2008: ACOEP’s Scientific Assembly breaks away from the AOA’s convention and becomes a stand-alone event in Las Vegas.

Ohio ACEP’s increased influence in policy matters prompted a major, long-term legislative initiative in 2009.

In 2010, there were 157 allopathic and 37 osteopathic emergency medicine residency programs, which collectively accept about 2,000 new residents each year.

In 2018, Ohio ACEP notched a major policy victory when it successfully championed House Bill 7, a liability reform bill which strengthens Ohio's "I'm Sorry" law and promotes honest and open communication between physicians and patients.