WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has named Laura Wooster, MPH, as its new associate executive director for public affairs, heading ACEP’s Washington, D.C., office, and replacing Gordon Wheeler who retired in June. Ms. Wooster has extensive federal legislative and regulatory experience, most recently serving as senior vice president of public policy for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

“Laura is an excellent communicator with tremendous experience in the health care arena,” said Rebecca Parker, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. “Emergency physicians have worked diligently for years on Capitol Hill and with regulatory agencies to advance emergency care for patients and physicians. Her background and high energy will be a tremendous asset to ACEP.”

Ms. Wooster’s expertise includes health care policy issues such as value-based payment models, health information technology, opioids, and health reform. Prior to her role at the AOA, she served as a director of federal affairs for Premier, a health care improvement company, and as a lobbyist and senior policy consultant for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in Washington.

She has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s in public health degree from the University of Illinois.