EMRA History

2010-2014

EMRA launches an iPhone app for the popular EMRA Antibiotic Guide. Sales quickly surpass expectation reaching more than 6,000 units in one year
The EMRA Education Committee is formed.
EMRA announces new money saving member benefit programs with Office Depot, Liberty Mutual, PEPID, Benefit Planning Group (disability insurance), GL Advisor (student loan management) and EMedHome.

2005-2009

EMRA partners with ACEP to launch a new online job bank specific to emergency medicine postings, EMCareerCentral.org
EMRA hires a new Executive Director, Michele Byers, CAE, to provide management and operational support to the organization.
EMRA’s annual revenue surpasses $1million for the first time in EMRA’s 35 year history.
EMRA debuts a new resident member benefit-free access to the popular EM:RAP and EM Abstracts audio downloads.
EMRA’s publishing activities gain momentum with the release of two new books, The Emergency Medicine Chief Resident Survival Guide and Emergency Medicine’s Top Pediatric Clinical Problems; five updates to existing titles, three new pocket reference cards (Airway, Sepsis and Pediatric QWIK Cards) and the debut of a new four color format for EMRA’s bi-monthly magazine, EM Resident.
The EMRA Research Committee is formed.
EMRA celebrates its 35^th anniversary with a reception for past and present leaders during ACEP’s Scientific Assembly meeting in Boston, MA.
EMRA’s membership reaches 8,954 at the end of the 2009 fiscal year. Alumni membership grows to nearly 1,800 members-up from only 535 in 2004.

1999-2004

Membership explodes as the EMRA membership rolls grew from 4,320 at the end of 1999 to 6,465 at the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year...an increase of 2,145 members!
Development of applications for PDA’s is at the forefront of EMRA’s publishing efforts.
Technology is another defining issue for EMRA as the Board, volunteers and staff struggled to keep up with growing demand and rapid changes.
The increased number of members and growing interest in EMRA products and events is reflected in the budget as well. The 2003-2004 budget reflected close to $500,000 in revenue (up 40% from 1999) and $440,000 in expenses.

1994-1999

In 1994, an amendment to the Bylaws created a new elected position to the Board—the Secretary and EM Resident Editor.
In 1996, EMRA instituted the Local Action Grant program that awarded $500 annually to support local resident and student activities.
The Medical Student Committee (MSC) planned and implemented the first Medical Student Forum in 1994.
EMRA began plans for a web site in 1996, with considerable input from the MSC.

1989-1994

The first Antibiotic Guide was developed in 1989 and published in 1990.
EMRA established the Chief Residents’ Forum that is still held today in May of each year, during the SAEM Annual Meeting.
The EMRA Job Bank was established in 1990 and launched during the ACEP Scientific Assembly.
In 1992, 84% of all EM residents were members of EMRA.
EMRA founded the Medical Student Affiliate, a Medical Student Section, in 1992.
EMRA’s 20^th Anniversary was celebrated in 1994 with an anniversary book by Eric Olsen, MD, and a reception at the ACEP Scientific Assembly in Orlando.

1985-1989

In 1985, EMRA donated $1,000 to the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) to support resident research. This donation was raised to $5,000 in 1989 and continues as an annual contribution.
EMRA published the first EMRA Job Catalog in 1986.
In 1986 EMRA established an award for excellence in the pre-hospital arena to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Jean Hollister, a senior resident at the St. Vincent/Toledo Hospital residency who died in a life flight crash while transporting a patient from a accident site
In 1986 EMRA was granted an ex officio seat on the EMF Board of Trustees.
Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica in 1988 causing millions of dollars in damage and placing a strain on the local health care system. EMRA members nationwide secured donations and Eastern and Delta Airlines provided cargo space. EMRA Board members arranged to have materials assembled and transported to Cornwall Regional Medical Center in Montego Bay. The total relief effort exceeded $200,000 in desperately needed medical supplies.
During this period, James Woodburn, Jr., MD, working with SAEM, developed the first EMRA Antibiotic Handbook.
In 1989, total membership stood at 1,600 with 275 medical student members. As of the end of June, 2004 EMRA’s total membership was 6,089, with 1,055 medical student members.

1980-1984

In 1980, a new Constitution and Bylaws was adopted at the fall business meeting. The position of Secretary-Treasurer was changed to President-elect.
Stats for the very first certification in EM were published following completion of the oral exam. ABEM reported that 652 physicians sat for the exam and 243 became certified. The pass rate was 38%.
In 1982, the Constitution and Bylaws were amended to create the non- voting position of Immediate Past President.
For EMRA’s fiscal year 1980-1981, revenue totaled $20,911 while expenses were $13,764.
EMRA celebrated its 10^th Anniversary during the 1983 Scientific Assembly in Atlanta. To commemorate the decade, blue t-shirts printed with “EMRA” were available for purchase by members for $5.
In 1984, the Constitution and Bylaws were amended to allow residents training in osteopathic programs to be members.
In 1984, EMRA leaders were successful in defeating a recommendation by the ACEP Membership and Bylaws committees that proposed raising resident dues to $50 for the first year and $75 for each successive year of residency. EMRA supported a recommendation that ACEP membership dues for the first year of practice be set at 50% of the full active rate.

1974-1979

The first resident representative ever to any organized body in emergency medicine was Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD. He was appointed to the UA/EMS Executive Council (later SAEM) as a voting member at their annual meeting in Dallas, TX, in May 1974
EMRA was officially formed by EM residents in November 1974 during the ACEP meeting. Bylaws were adopted on November 6, 1974.
In 1975, members set dues at $15 for each member.
In 1975, the first and only special assessment for members was set at $20 per member in addition to regular dues.
In 1977, EMRA went on the record for the first time as opposing the concept of any future ACEP membership category for Fellows being granted to any physician who was not a diplomat of ABEM.
In 1978, the first EMRA delegation participated and voted at the ACEP Council meeting.
In 1978, EMRA’s revenues totaled $4,567. However, because of previous year’s deficits, in the first year of “positive” cash flow EMRA was still in the hole by $16.
The first EMRA reception was held in Atlanta in 1979 during the ACEP Scientific Assembly.
At the close of August 1979, EMRA’s membership totaled 269 residents and 14 medical students.