With the public comment period for the proposed ACGME Program Requirements now closed, our emergency medicine organizations come together in a shared purpose to acknowledge this pivotal moment for emergency medicine education—and to reaffirm our commitment to the community we serve.
This process has surfaced divergent perspectives, and thoughtful feedback from across the specialty. While views differ on the potential impact of the proposed changes including a standardized four-year training structure, what remains unmistakably clear is our collective investment in the future of our programs, trainees, and profession.
As a still young and rapidly evolving specialty, emergency medicine has always drawn its strength from a spirit of inquiry, adaptability, and academic rigor. In this moment, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the academic identity of our field—championing research, scholarship, and innovation as foundational pillars of our training and practice.
We are aligned in our belief that the strength of emergency medicine lies in its people—those who lead, teach, and learn in diverse environments across the country. We recognize the immense dedication, innovation, and pride that have built our programs over decades, and we honor that legacy.
We also recognize the uncertainty that many are experiencing. Change—especially when it touches the core of how we educate and train—can be difficult. But as organizations grounded in education and academic leadership, we see this as an opportunity to lead with integrity, transparency, and collaboration. We believe that by nurturing intellectual curiosity and fostering robust academic environments, we not only elevate the standards of emergency care but also empower our specialty to lead, adapt, and thrive in a changing healthcare landscape.
Together, we are preparing to support our EM community through whatever final requirements emerge from the ACGME’s review and comment process. We will continue to organize efforts to equip educators with tools, guidance, and space for dialogue. We remain committed to fostering the scholarship and leadership needed to navigate this transition and strengthen our specialty for the long term.
As we look ahead, we do so with a spirit of unity and resolve. This is a time to lean on each other, to elevate our shared values, and to remain focused on what matters most: delivering high-quality education and cultivating the next generation of emergency physicians.
We are stronger together.