WASHINGTON, DC and DALLAS—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) announced today that Susan E. Sedory, MA, CAE, will step down from her role as ACEP chief executive officer effective June 2025.

Recruited and hired in a completely virtual format, Ms. Sedory took the helm at ACEP as the COVID pandemic accelerated in July 2020 and deftly adapted ACEP staff and strategy to meet member needs in unpredictable times. Under her direction, ACEP shifted to and from virtual meetings, initiated work-from-home protocols and began a comprehensive technology overhaul. Through her tenure, ACEP was repeatedly named an employee-friendly workplace, recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents® three years in a row.

Ms. Sedory sharpened ACEP’s focus by establishing a member-centric strategic plan and expanded the association’s capabilities with the launch of the Emergency Medicine Data Institute. She steered ACEP through contentious legislative and policy battles, including efforts to fix the flawed implementation of the surprise billing law, as well as campaigns to prioritize emergency physician leadership when defining scope of practice lanes of medical authority. Ms. Sedory has dedicated her nearly 40-year career to improving health care, from research through organizational leadership, and currently serves as the president of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

“It has been an honor to serve ACEP and its members during unprecedented times,” said Ms. Sedory. “I am fiercely proud of our achievements in support of the nation’s emergency physicians and their patients.”

The ACEP Board of Directors will form a search committee and enlist a search firm to identify Ms. Sedory’s successor. Plans for a smooth transition will be implemented and the new leader will be chosen in early 2025, with a transition period of executive overlap to follow.

“We deeply appreciate Sue’s leadership and the significant steps she took to make ACEP stronger during tumultuous times,” said Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP, president of ACEP. “ACEP's voice on physician workforce issues has grown louder and more resolute at Sue’s direction. She leaves ACEP well-positioned to be heard by policymakers, regulators, hospital decision-makers and others in the house of medicine. On behalf of the ACEP Board, we thank her as she plans for a well-deserved retirement.”