b"PACEP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Interest Group Releases Updated DEI Mission StatementBy Kristyn J. Smith, DO for physicians interested in DEI to shareidentity, and sexual orientation, as best practices for delivering equitablewell as thought and experiences. care and education in the state ofPACEP is dedicated to recruiting Pennsylvania. and retaining a diverse emergency The first order of business for the DEImedicine workforce that reflects the interest group was to update PACEP'spopulation that we serve.Diversity statement, originally createdPACEP supports equitable access to in 2014. The updated version is belowcare for all Pennsylvanians, to reduce and will be available on the PACEPhealth disparities and ensure health website soon! equity across the state.Kristyn J. Smith, DO PACEP is the leading voice for 2022-2023 Leadership Fellow PACEP endorses the ALL EM DEI emergency medicine and emergencyStatement, which strives to improve physicians in the Commonwealth ofhealthcare outcomes and fosters Dear PACEP family,Pennsylvania; to fulfill our missioninnovation. of serving this diverse constituency PACEP recently started a new Diversity,PACEP will integrate and embed Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Interestdiversity, equity, and inclusion Group. The purpose of the PACEPinto each of our core focus areas.For anyone interested in joining the DEI Interest Group is to enhance thePACEP is committed to ensuring ourDEI interest group, please reach out diversity of PACEPs medical student,leadership, members, and staff areto Kristyn Smith at kristynjsmith@resident, and physician membership,diverse in identity characteristics,gmail.com or Ron Hall at ronald.while also providing an environmentsuch as race/ethnicity, genderhall@jefferson.edu. 2022, the Pennsylvania SupremeLEGISLATIVE INTERACTION Venkat has recently sponsored HB 78, Court eliminated this venue rule andwhich establishes a Medical Debt Relief went into effect on January 1, 2023.The Scientific Assembly is quicklyProgram. We look forward to future Essentially, this means that nowapproaching. We anticipate that severalmeetings with him. plaintiffs and trial lawyers will be ablelocal legislators will be in attendance to venue shop for more favorableto meet with PACEP members and hearIf you would like assistance venues, such as Philadelphia andabout our concerns.contacting your local legislator, or Allegheny counties. We continueif you are interested in joining the During February PACEP leadership,Governmental Affairs Committee, to have ongoing conversationsthe GA committee and B&B team metplease feel free to contact me at with the B&B team, as well as otherwith Rep. Arvind Venkat (Allegheny).amanda.deshisky@gmail.com.key stakeholders in Pennsylvania,We were able to have a meaningful regarding potential mitigating stepsdiscussion with him regarding mental that can be taken. Hopefully, overhealth issues, scope of practice and the next several months we will haveoutpatient EDs.Additionally, Rep. additional updates. PACEP News | Spring 2023 13"