History of MOCEP

An Archive of Our History

We plan for this page to serve as an archive for the history of MOCEP, documenting the organization’s achievements and the physicians who have represented Missouri Emergency Physicians as members of the Board of Directors or College Councilors.

This page is a living document that will be continuously updated as we continue working for you, our members, Emergency Medicine as a whole, and our patients in Missouri. If you believe anything should be added to this archive, please notify us, and we will place it on the website.

You can view a history of Emergency Medicine written by MOCEP members by clicking here.

Our Timeline

1968

The American College of Emergency Physicians is founded in order to improve the quality of care in America’s Emergency Departments and advocate on behalf of Emergency Physicians and their patients.

1969

ACEP’s first Scientific Assembly takes place in Denver.

1976

American Board of Emergency Medicine is established.

1978

MOCEP is founded.
Dr. Ed Morgan named first President of MOCEP.

1979

Dr. R.R. Hannas elected President of MOCEP.
Emergency Medicine is recognized as the 23rd medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties due to the advocacy of ACEP and its members.

1980

The first board exam in Emergency Medicine is offered.
MOCEP begins to advocate for improving medical malpractice regulations in Missouri.

1982

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approves special requirements for emergency medicine residency training programs.

1987

The first joint conference at Tan-Tar-A occurs. MOCEP joined MEMSA and ENA to organize a clinical conference for emergency providers in Missouri. The combined conference would occur annually for the next 25 years.

1989

With the assistance of Dr. Dennis Keesal, MOCEP promotes BTLS and begins to serve as the regional medical directors and instructors of BTLS and ITLS throughout Missouri. Previously, surgeons trained paramedics with PHTLS.
MOCEP affiliates with the Missouri State Medical Association in order to better advocate for patients and Emergency Physicians.

1991

MOCEP establishes Research Grant funding. This funding would go to improve the care of patients in the Emergency Department. To this day, residents and medical students throughout the state can apply to MOCEP to receive funding for their projects.

1992

The first Missouri EMS Medical Director Course is offered by MOCEP.
MOCEP receives a chapter grant for $26,400 for the “Design an Emergency Department Exhibit for Health Adventure Center.” The purpose of the project was to develop the design for an Emergency Department exhibit to be included in the Health Adventure Center to be built in Columbia, Missouri.

1993

Repeal of the Helmet Law is passed and vetoed by Governor Carnahan after successful lobbying efforts by MOCEP.

1995

After 2.5 years, MOCEP is successful in getting the statutory definition of an emergency passed.
EMPAC is established for Missouri. This PAC consists of donations from hard working Emergency Medicine physicians in Missouri. This PAC has assisted MoCEP in successfully lobbying political leaders to improve the care of our patients and practice conditions.

2000

MOCEP begins its relationship with Gamble and Schlemeier.
At this time, the Medicaid rate for level 5 ED services is $15. MOCEP would continue to fight for its members to make sure they were properly compensated and so that Emergency Departments would continue to remain open and be properly staffed. At this time, most physicians were hospital employees and the hospital viewed the Emergency Department as a necessary evil and poor financial commitment. MOCEP helped to change their perception and show that Emergency Departments were necessary, useful, and financially viable.

2001

MOCEP promotes Prompt Pay bill.
MOCEP begins to promote Primary Seat Belt law.

2003

MOCEP promotes the Assault on Emergency Physicians Personnel Bill.

2004

Medicaid rates are increased in part due to advocacy efforts by MOCEP.

2005

MOCEP provides ENA money to establish the Battle of the Belt Program in Missouri.
Led by Dr. Barry Spoon, MOCEP is awarded a chapter grant to continue to secure the funding of the Battle of the Belt Program. Battle of the Belt is now a statewide program operated under MODOT. Leaders from MOCEP continue to be actively involved with the organization and assist in judging the Battle of the Belt Challenge.
Due to the advocacy of Dr. Bill Jermyn, the Missouri Foundation for Health funds a design for a more integrated emergency medical system. In 2007, this would lead to the establishment of the Time Critical Diagnosis Continuum of Care in Missouri.
Noneconomic caps are instituted in Missouri (unfortunately this was overturned in 2012. Since then, MOCEP has continued to advocate for reform of medical malpractice).

2007

MOCEP received a chapter development grant to initiate the “Rural Missouri Emergency Medicine Provider” survey. MOCEP surveyed Emergency Departments in the state and identified emergency care providers, especially physicians, who were currently unknown to ACEP, MOCEP, and the State of Missouri, because they were not board-certified in Emergency Medicine. The chapter compiled a database of this information that allowed communication with those practitioners who weren’t traditional “Emergency Medicine” providers, especially in rural areas.

2009

Missouri legislature repeals the Helmet law, again. Due to lobbying efforts by MOCEP, Governor Nixon vetoed the legislation.

2012

MOCEP begins to advocate for Prescription Drug Monitoring in Missouri.

2013

MOCEP updates its website in order to better communicate with its members.
MOCEPs membership increases above 500 physicians.
Dr. Randy Jotte begins work on a project to help care for “Emergency Department Superusers” and reduce unnecessary Emergency Department utilization, while also improving the healthcare for this group of patients.

2014

Led by the efforts of Dr. Jon Heidt, MOCEP holds its first annual Advocacy Day.
MOCEP hires an Executive Director.
The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association establish certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers. State requirements for this include 8 hours of neurology CME per year. MoCEP advocates for more reasonable CME requirements for Emergency Physicians.
Board member Dr. Randall Jotte begins to develop plan to assist with super utilizers that will improve their care while lowering costs.
In part due to efforts by MOCEP, Senator Roy Blunt sponsors S.961, which would provide medical liability relief for physicians providing care under the EMTALA mandate. MOCEP members met with him in May at the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference to thank him for sponsoring this bill.

2015

Second annual Advocacy Day held in Jefferson City. MOCEP hosts residents from all over the state of the Missouri and speaks with several legislators about healthcare related issues.
MOCEP member elected to represent Emergency Medicine on the Missouri State Medical Association Commission on Interspecialty Medicine.
MOCEP members plan to attend and speak at the Southeastern Chapters (SEC) ACEP Educational Conference. If all goes well, MoCEP may join the annual summer conference in the future.
MOCEP continues to advocate for more reasonable CME requirements for trauma and cardiology.
MOCEP board member Randall Jotte continues to work with legislators to develop a super users program. Senate appropriations approved regional project with 3% rate increase for ED physicians. Now awaiting final approval from the Governor.
MOCEP President Douglas Char meets with MO Senate members to help pass a prescription drug monitoring bill.
MOCEP teams with ACEP to develop the definition of an urgent care.
MOCEP receives grant from EMRA to host Happy Hour for residents and medical students the night prior to annual meeting in April. The purpose of the happy hour is to encourage future MoCEP members to get active in the organization.
MOCEP holds annual meeting at the MSMA conference in April.
MOCEP receives second EMRA grant to host Happy Hour for residents and medical students in St. Louis. MOCEP hosts the EMRA President at the happy hour.
MOCEP partners with Southeastern Chapters (SEC) ACEP summer conference. Board Member Dr. Christopher Sampson represents MOCEP as faculty at the course.
MOCEP moves annual general meeting to coincide with annual Tom Steele conference in Springfield, Missouri to be held in May 2016.
MOCEP has 5 resolutions pass at ACEP Council meeting.

2016

MOCEP hosts 3rd Annual Advocacy Day Conference in Jefferson City. Leaders from MOCEP testify at congressional hearings.
MOCEP works on legislation to change TCD hours requirements
MOCEP hosts annual membership meeting at the Tom Steele Conference
MOCEP sends delegates and lecturers to Southeastern Chapters (SEC) ACEP summer conference. Board members Dr. Christopher Sampson and Dr. Timothy Koboldt serve as faculty at the conference.
Regional Care Coordination project officially approved by the Governor. ACEP Board member Dr. Randall Jotte instrumental in legislation’s success.
MOCEP testifies against Helmet repeal legislation.
MOCEP testifies to support legislation that restricts powdered alcohol products.
MOCEP adds language to MoHealthNet ER users bill that ensures that the copay does not reduce payments to the ED.
MOCEP gets education requirements moved under the Board of Health to decrease TCD education requirements

2017

MOCEP hosts 4th Annual Advocacy Day Conference in Jefferson City. Members of the Board of Directors testify on legislation impacting palcohol, opioids, and prescription drug monitoring.
MOCEP works with the Board of Healing Arts to refine the TCD CME requirements.
MOCEP joins a coalition to initiate the MMERP program to improve care while saving costs for Medicaid patients.
MOCEP sends 18 members to the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference. This is a record number of delegates attending from Missouri.
MOCEP hosts annual membership meeting at the Tom Steele Conference. ACEP President Rebecca Parker and MOCEP Board Member Evan Schwarz lecture at the conference.
Dr. Brent Ruoff, Dr. Charles Sheppard, and Dr. Melissa Kroll win the R.R. Hannas Award

2018

MOCEP starts grassroots advocacy and media campaign to stand up for Prudent Layperson rights against insurance companies
MOCEP President Jonathan Heidt conducts several interviews about Anthem’s harmful policy regarding coverage for emergency department admissions
MOCEP hosts 5th Annual Advocacy Day Conference in Jefferson City.
MOCEP sends lecturers to the Southeastern Chapters (SEC) ACEP summer conference. Board members Dr. Christopher Sampson and Dr. Timothy Koboldt serve as faculty at the conference.
MOCEP works with the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) to provide novel treatment to patients with opioid use disorders presenting to the emergency department.