Virginia College of Emergency Physicians

03/04/2026

Emergency medicine doesn’t just need great physicians. We need great leaders.

The VACEP Leadership & Advocacy Fellowship is a one-year program designed to help early-career emergency physicians develop the skills, connections, and confidence to lead in our specialty. Fellows work alongside experienced physician leaders, learn how healthcare policy and advocacy shape emergency medicine, and take part in projects that make a real impact for patients and physicians across Virginia and the nation.

If you’re ready to grow your influence beyond the emergency department and help shape the future of emergency medicine, this program is for you.

Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are open and close April 23.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.vacep.org/fellowship

cc: EMRA. American College of Emergency Physicians - ACEP

03/03/2026

There is important legislation moving through the Virginia General Assembly that could affect our professional liability environment.

Lawmakers are considering a bill (Senate Bill 536) that would raise Virginia’s medical malpractice cap from the current $2.7 million to $6 million. This change came late in the session and has the support of legislative leadership.

If enacted, the increase would apply to rare catastrophic cases. While most claims do not approach the cap, this could put upward pressure on malpractice premiums over time — particularly in higher-risk specialties like emergency medicine. VACEP is monitoring the bill and in discussions with the Medical Society of Virginia, hospital partners, and legislators to assess potential impacts for emergency physicians.

Get more details on our news page.

In a late session move, the General Assembly is pushing legislation that would increase Virginia’s medical malpractice cap.

02/06/2026

Today we want to honor Dr. James Dudley, a Northern Neck emergency physician who passed away on January 30. We spoke to a few docs who knew or worked with Dr. Dudley, who served as our president from 2004-2006. What emerged is a picture of a steady voice for emergency medicine in Virginia — kind, thoughtful, and always happy to help.

Dr. Dudley worked as an emergency physician at Riverside Tappahannock for nearly 40 years and was deeply involved in its medical group leadership. At the same time, he was the operational medical director of EMS agencies on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. He provided medical care at free clinics and at local jails and prisons. For a time, he was the only medical examiner for local funeral homes in this region. He served as a policy advisor for Virginia-level medical legislation and sat on supervisory boards for medical associations including the Medical Society of Virginia. He was a mentor to young people, a guide to his team, and a "center of gravity" in the eastern Virginia medical community.

For his contributions, Dr. Dudley received VACEP's Career Achievement Award in 2010.

And most importantly: He was deeply proud of his family (four children), devoted to his wife of 41 years Carolyn, loved the Northern Neck, and brought warmth and humility to every role he held.

And his obituary is well worth your time. Our condolences to his family and friends.

James Roane Dudley, an emergency medicine physician serving communities across the Middle and Upper Peninsulas of Virginia, died on Friday, January 30, 2026, peacefully at home.

11/03/2025

The emergency department is often the intersection of the legal and healthcare systems, and the types of situations that later end up in court. That makes a treating physician or nurse a neutral witness to what actually happened, how the patient presented, and what the medical findings showed.

VACEP president Jesse Spangler, MD, FACEP recently spoke with Richmond trial attorney and former U.S. Army JAG officer Sharif Gray to discuss everything doctors need to know about subpoenas, depositions, and offering expert testimony — and how to get paid for it all. The recording is an informative listen for residents, new attendings, and other physicians who need some clarity on the process.

Listen/watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YpJsYDKYU4

Also of interest to members of the: Medical Society of Virginia ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association American College of Emergency Physicians - ACEP

Being subpoenaed to testify in court can be intimidating, especially for physicians. So what happens when the sheriff shows up at your hospital with a subpoe...

10/23/2025

This is it! Today (10/23) is the LAST DAY to submit your nominations for ACEP Awards or nominate yourself for a position on the Board of Directors or as an ACEP Councillor for Virginia. Submissions close tonight!

Awards: www.vacep.org/awards

Leadership: www.vacep.org/board-nomination-form

10/22/2025

Nominations are open for VACEP Awards. Explore them and check out our new Educator of the Year Award. Nominations close November 14. Winners are announced at VACEP '26.

www.vacep.org/awards

10/16/2025

Honor the best of Virginia emergency medicine: Nominate yourself or a peer for the VACEP emergency medicine awards. Hurry! We're looking for the best Medical Director, Rising Star, Researcher, Educator (new this year!) and our veteran Career Achievement Award.

Nominations close October 23.

http://vacep.org/awards

10/15/2025

Do you have what it takes to lead the future of VACEP?

Take your practice beyond the bedside and join an all-volunteer team of ER docs dedicated to making our specialty better for our fellow physicians and patients in our care.

Nominations are open for the VACEP Board of Directors as well as ACEP Councillor for Virginia. HURRY! Nominations close October 23.

https://www.vacep.org/board-nomination-form

10/13/2025

Fellows, residents, med students: Join the research poster presentation at VACEP '26. It's a great way to participate in the Conference and share knowledge and insights with the community.

Deadlines:
October 27: Abstract due
January 29: Final research/case study due

Submit your abstract: vacepabstracts.societyhq.com

Register for the full Annual Conference at vacep.org/conference

10/10/2025

Nurses in the state of California who obtain doctorate degrees can’t be referred to as “Doctor” after a judge ruled it as “inherently misleading.”

The Sept. 19 ruling found nurses being referred to as “Doctor”—even with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree—without holding the title of a licensed physician can be misleading and ultimately not protected under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

More at the link.

Judge Jesus G. Bernal ruled nurses being referred to as "Doctor" can be misleading to patients since they aren't licensed physicians.

10/07/2025

Back for its second year at our Annual Conference, the ED Leadership Summit convenes medical directors and healthcare experts to discuss issues and share ideas to make you a better leader and equip you with knowledge to better manage medical ops.

Attend the ED Leadership Summit as part of our 2026 Annual Conference. Registration is OPEN at www.vacep.org/conference.

09/24/2025

If you need acetaminophen messaging for your patients, the American College of Emergency Physicians - ACEP has you covered.

ACEP addresses the safety and efficacy of Tylenol (acetominophen) for pregnant patients in the ED. Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/3IB6YuB