As is customary, at the 2019 SAEM Emergency Medicine dinner we had “The Jacket” donned and passed around to signify Emory EM’s Legacy & Leadership. The celebration was at an incredible location in Old Las Vegas – The Triple George Grill, thanks to the organizational skills of Amber Cassell and Donna Weaver.
Since its inception in 2003/2004 “The Jacket” has served as a reminder of the uniqueness and special identity of our Emory EM family. It was during an SAEM EM dinner approximately 15 years ago, where Dr. Haley in his typically sophisticated dress, was making a speech about what Emory Emergency Medicine meant to him. As one of the pioneers in Emory Emergency Medicine, Dr. Haley now serves as the Dean of the University of Florida - Gainesville.
At the EM SAEM 2019 dinner, our special surprise guest and immediate past chair of our department, Dr. Kate Heilpern was the first to don the custom-made jacket she purchased last year to memorialize Emory EM. Wearing “The Jacket” in its customary navy blue and the Emory logo on the left lapel, Dr. Heilpern opened “The Jacket” to highlight the inscription on the inside with the names of faculty who have been a part of the Emory EM faculty for more than 20 years. Symbolic in its reality, it would be Dr. Tammie Quest ‘s name (now in her 21st year) next to be inscribed in “The Jacket” and those in attendance were challenged to ensure the names in the jacket will continue to extend over time.
“The Jacket”, in its symbolism is then passed by and to each person participating in the annual SAEM dinner inclusive of students, residents, APP’s, staff and faculty (incoming and current), for an opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings and sentiments about what it means to be or soon to be a member of the department of emergency medicine at Emory. After remarks are rendered, the wearer of “The Jacket” will then select the next individual to speak, by giving them “The Jacket” to articulate their thoughts. This incredible tradition has been and will always be a cornerstone of what distinguishes our department. We are proud of the values that we hold as a team. Our workplace/Our people, the mantra that is used, is grounded in our Legacy and our Leadership. Arguably, from Dr. Arthur Kellermann who was the inaugural chair of one of the best departments of emergency medicine in the country, members of our department are often stopped and recognized at SAEM meetings for our innovation and discovery, education, lens towards equity and inclusion, all routed in positions of leadership. Our Department has had two presidents of SAEM, 5 board members, including a member of our faculty who was inducted to the SAEM board at the 2019 meeting, presidents and board members of academies and committee chairs. It would be nearly impossible to articulate over the past 20 years, the significance that Emory Emergency Medicine has had for our school of medicine, our city, our country, and our specialty; all of which have impacted the patients we are privileged to care for. We hope that “The Jacket” will inspire encourage and give each one of us a glimpse to what the future has and will hold within the legacy and leadership of our community.
We are proud, fearless, joyful and to quote some of the words heard during the passing of “The Jacket” - “I am Home at Emory”, “ Emory is my family”, “There is a feeling I get when I am here”. “I know I’ve made the right decision”, “We are leaders”. “We represent diversity and inclusion”, “We can change the world”. So, thank you for the Leadership and Legacy and the symbolism of what “The Jacket” means. If you have not had an opportunity to get an insight or a glimpse of some of the accomplishments of SAEM 2019, please listen to Dr. Wright’s podcast on SAEM 19 that was posted shortly after the meeting.
“The Jacket” - A significant and symbolic representation of who we are and who we will continue to enjoy the photos.
-Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH
Since its inception in 2003/2004 “The Jacket” has served as a reminder of the uniqueness and special identity of our Emory EM family. It was during an SAEM EM dinner approximately 15 years ago, where Dr. Haley in his typically sophisticated dress, was making a speech about what Emory Emergency Medicine meant to him. As one of the pioneers in Emory Emergency Medicine, Dr. Haley now serves as the Dean of the University of Florida - Gainesville.
At the EM SAEM 2019 dinner, our special surprise guest and immediate past chair of our department, Dr. Kate Heilpern was the first to don the custom-made jacket she purchased last year to memorialize Emory EM. Wearing “The Jacket” in its customary navy blue and the Emory logo on the left lapel, Dr. Heilpern opened “The Jacket” to highlight the inscription on the inside with the names of faculty who have been a part of the Emory EM faculty for more than 20 years. Symbolic in its reality, it would be Dr. Tammie Quest ‘s name (now in her 21st year) next to be inscribed in “The Jacket” and those in attendance were challenged to ensure the names in the jacket will continue to extend over time.
“The Jacket”, in its symbolism is then passed by and to each person participating in the annual SAEM dinner inclusive of students, residents, APP’s, staff and faculty (incoming and current), for an opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings and sentiments about what it means to be or soon to be a member of the department of emergency medicine at Emory. After remarks are rendered, the wearer of “The Jacket” will then select the next individual to speak, by giving them “The Jacket” to articulate their thoughts. This incredible tradition has been and will always be a cornerstone of what distinguishes our department. We are proud of the values that we hold as a team. Our workplace/Our people, the mantra that is used, is grounded in our Legacy and our Leadership. Arguably, from Dr. Arthur Kellermann who was the inaugural chair of one of the best departments of emergency medicine in the country, members of our department are often stopped and recognized at SAEM meetings for our innovation and discovery, education, lens towards equity and inclusion, all routed in positions of leadership. Our Department has had two presidents of SAEM, 5 board members, including a member of our faculty who was inducted to the SAEM board at the 2019 meeting, presidents and board members of academies and committee chairs. It would be nearly impossible to articulate over the past 20 years, the significance that Emory Emergency Medicine has had for our school of medicine, our city, our country, and our specialty; all of which have impacted the patients we are privileged to care for. We hope that “The Jacket” will inspire encourage and give each one of us a glimpse to what the future has and will hold within the legacy and leadership of our community.
We are proud, fearless, joyful and to quote some of the words heard during the passing of “The Jacket” - “I am Home at Emory”, “ Emory is my family”, “There is a feeling I get when I am here”. “I know I’ve made the right decision”, “We are leaders”. “We represent diversity and inclusion”, “We can change the world”. So, thank you for the Leadership and Legacy and the symbolism of what “The Jacket” means. If you have not had an opportunity to get an insight or a glimpse of some of the accomplishments of SAEM 2019, please listen to Dr. Wright’s podcast on SAEM 19 that was posted shortly after the meeting.
“The Jacket” - A significant and symbolic representation of who we are and who we will continue to enjoy the photos.
-Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH