SEATTLE, Oct. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) today announced that Alexander Rosenau, DO, CPE, FACEP, an emergency physician from Allentown, Pa. has assumed the presidency of the organization during its annual meeting in Seattle, Wash.

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Dr. Rosenau was elected to the board in 2006 and 2009. He currently serves as president-elect.

"Medicine is in the midst of a health care revolution — both a tumultuous opportunity and for some, a confusing quagmire. Emergency medicine is in the thick of it," said Dr. Rosenau.  "ACEP is key to our profession, standing strong throughout this incredible challenge."   

Dr. Rosenau is nationally recognized as a leader in emergency medicine.  He is senior vice chair of emergency medicine and an emergency physician at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa.  Dr. Rosenau is also associate professor of medicine at Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida.  In addition, he previously served as president of Pennsylvania ACEP and is a past recipient of U.S. Public Health Service National Health Service Corps Achievement and Commendation awards.

Dr. Rosenau said that emergency departments are the hub for medical issues that come up suddenly, whether it's a mass casualty event, like the bombings in Boston, or patients referred by primary care doctors.  In addition, he said that emergency physicians are critical to reducing health care costs, because they are key decisionmakers for nearly half of all hospital admissions, according to a recent report from the RAND Corporation. 

"The RAND report not only demonstrates how emergency physicians can help reduce the nation's health care costs, but how they are coordinating patient care every day, filling gaping holes in our health care system," said Dr. Rosenau.  "As the nation implements health care reforms, there are many uncertainties.  The role of emergency departments has never been more important.  They are the only part of the health care system that are always open and never turn people away."

Dr. Rosenau completed his residency in emergency medicine at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  Dr. Rosenau is the founding program director of the Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network emergency medicine residency program. 

ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies. 

ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.  ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education.  Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

RELATED LINKShttp://www.acep.org