As we begin a new year, we would like to reflect on one that has passed. 2022 was no doubt an unforgettable year, bringing about much change and joy. As the world began to transition safely from the COVID pandemic to ‘the new normal’, we saw humanity flourish against adversity. Governments and individuals alike played a huge role in making this transition as safe as possible. Emergency medicine was one of the most impacted specialties by this shift, learning many lessons along the way.
 
We were delighted to see both local and international conferences return to their in-person activities with more knowledge sharing and enthusiasm than ever. The United Arab Emirates celebrated its 51^st national day, acknowledging its achievements and showcasing its grand ambitions for the next 50 years in all fields including healthcare. We thank the EM fraternity for their continuous contribution to the specialty. It has been a wonderful year working together and we look forward to another inspiring year. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year!

 

The 8th edition of the Emirates Society of Emergency Medicine Conference concluded, with more than 1200 healthcare professionals participating in the event. Experts from around the world discussed all major sub-specialties of EM with a focus on time–sensitive medical emergencies such as trauma, stroke, and cardiovascular cases. The four-day event hosted a series of dedicated workshops and panel discussions attended by industry leaders. The ESEM22 Conference, which was held at Conrad Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi from 7th to 10th December 2022, included eight workshops and various sessions covering topics related to Critical Care, Military Medicine, Paediatric, Medico-legal, Respirology, Radiology, Disaster Medicine, and several other topics.
 
It is worth highlighting that this year’s edition of ESEM received more than 250 scientific research papers. Accepted research papers were presented during the event, emphasizing the latest developments in the field of Emergency Medicine. Moreover, the Conference’s Scientific Committee has introduced the “Emergency Department Quality Improvement Professional” (EQUIP) certification course, delivered by Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This course helps EM physicians and nurse leaders to improve their clinical practice, potentially effecting system-wide change, through optimized emergency care delivery, focused on quality and patient safety.
 
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, ESEM22 also featured the distribution of awards and recognition of different EM professionals. The awards included Best EM Physician, Best EM Nurse, Best Paramedic, Best Educator, Best Researcher, Best Resident, and Best International Ambassador.