AAEM has always been willing to take a strong stand on core issues important to our membership, especially workplace fairness, protection from exploitation, the value of board certification and the importance of residency training. AAEM will advocate for the individual practicing physician, even when it is difficult and unpopular, and when other organizations assert that nothing can be done. In addition, there are many opportunities for members at all stages of their careers to get very involved with the Academy, and the entire Board is directly elected by the membership.
Mark Reiter, MD FAAEM

I joined AAEM because I feel it is the organization that supports the best interests of the practicing emergency physician and the new graduates of emergency medicine. I hope that you will agree with me and also lend your support to the clinicians of emergency medicine by joining and participating in this organization.
Peter Rosen, MD FAAEM

AAEM is a unique organization in emergency medicine because it places the need to serve the individual member above all else. AAEM routinely takes the risks and stands up for the little guy, the bedside physician, in situations where others choose the safe course and decide to protect the organization. The worth of a professional physician society is not revealed by its huge corporate headquarters. Instead, it is most accurately measured by examining how it serves the physician members in their time of need. AAEM ranks first in such matters.
Robert McNamara, MD FAAEM

AAEM is emergency medicine’s fastest growing organization, now with over 5,000 members in 2006. We’ve quadrupled in size over the last eight years. Why? Many emergency medicine program directors want their residents exposed to the Academy and for forty dollars a resident; each receives a copy of The Journal of Emergency Medicine, Rules of the Road, Common Sense, our Toxicology Handbook, and free registration for our Scientific Assembly as well as access to Career Network, a new resource to research regional jobs. In addition, AAEM appeals to practicing physicians because of our focus, agility, and keen interest in their professional needs. Size definitely matters when it comes to membership since the greater our resources, the more AAEM does. AAEM, however, is an organization that will not compromise our mission in order to increase membership numbers.
Tom Scaletta, MD FAAEM

Now that emergency medicine is well established as a legitimate specialty, the two most important issues we face are protecting the sanctity of board certification and protecting emergency physicians from predatory and unfair business practices. AAEM is fully engaged in both of these battles and doesn't look for excuses to sit out the fight, such as trumped up concerns over antitrust issues. AAEM is there to protect emergency physicians when no other organization is willing to do so. AAEM's only concern is the welfare of the specialist in emergency medicine and of his patients. That's why I'm in AAEM.
Andy Walker, MD FAAEM

I joined AAEM because of its emphasis on advocating for the rights of abused and exploited emergency physicians.
Larry Weiss, MD FAAEM

I joined AAEM because I wanted to support an organization that is fighting for the future of emergency medicine. While I am a medical student and resident, I know that AAEM will be looking out for the best interests of our field. It has been an outstanding organization to be a member of and volunteer for and I encourage everyone interested in emergency medicine to join - you will take personal benefit from the numerous membership benefits, you will show to residency programs how serious you are about the field, and you will contribute to an organization that is securing our future.
Mike Ybarra, MD