Our Story
From Shared Vision to Global Community
The Evolution of a Specialty
Emergency Medicine Pharmacy wasn't born overnight. It grew from the pioneering efforts of pharmacists like Dr. Robert M. Elenbaas in the 1970s, who first stepped into the chaotic ED environment and proved the indispensable value of specialized medication expertise.
Over decades, the role evolved — from initial consultations to integral participation in trauma resuscitation, toxicology management, and critical care pharmacotherapy. The evidence of our impact mounted: reduced medication errors, faster delivery of life-saving drugs, optimized dosing, and significant cost avoidance.
This progress was mirrored by explosive growth in specialized training, with PGY2 Emergency Medicine residency programs surging dramatically from just 3 positions in 2007 to over 134 positions across 113 programs by 2025. Formal recognition arrived in 2020 when Emergency Medicine Pharmacy became the 14th BPS specialty (BCEMP).
A Gathering Point: The EmpowerRx Conference
Amidst this growth, a need emerged. While EM pharmacists found pockets of community within larger organizations, there wasn't a single, dedicated home. The EmpowerRx Conference, founded in 2021 by Dr. Jimmy Pruitt, began filling this void.
What started as a virtual gathering in 2022 quickly gained momentum, evolving into a successful hybrid conference with global reach, drawing attendees from the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Great Britain. It became a vital platform connecting practitioners and fostering collaboration, highlighting the strong desire for something more permanent: a society built specifically for the needs of EM pharmacy.
The Birth of SEMP: By Us, For Us
Recognizing this collective yearning, the Society of Emergency Medicine Pharmacists (SEMP) was formed. Our foundation is unique: we are built from the ground up by practicing EM pharmacists representing diverse settings — academic centers, community hospitals, toxicology, and global practice. This practitioner-led approach ensures SEMP remains deeply connected to the realities and challenges of our field.
Our Guiding Principles
- Unification: To be the central, unifying hub for the global EM pharmacy community.
- Advancement: To actively elevate practice standards, advocate for the role of EM pharmacists, and push the boundaries of acute care pharmacotherapy.
- Collaboration: To foster strong partnerships within pharmacy and across disciplines to improve patient care.
- Inclusivity: To embrace diverse perspectives, including toxicology, pediatric ED, community hospitals, academic hospitals, and international practices.
- Innovation: To drive progress through supporting research, sharing best practices, and embracing new technologies.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission
SEMP is dedicated to advancing emergency medicine pharmacy and optimizing pharmacotherapeutic care in emergency departments through practice improvement, education, advocacy, research, and international collaboration.
Vision
To be the definitive global voice for emergency medicine pharmacy, fostering a unified community and ensuring pharmacists are integral to all emergency care settings.
Charting Our Course: The First Few Years
Our initial strategic focus is on building a strong foundation and delivering tangible value to our community:
Building the Community
Establishing robust membership infrastructure, launching active communication channels, fostering connections through networking, and achieving significant membership growth.
Establishing Educational Leadership
Integrating the EmpowerRx conference as our flagship annual meeting, delivering high-quality CE webinars and workshops, and launching the Journal of Acute Care Pharmacotherapy (JACP).
Defining Our Practice
Initiating the development and dissemination of evidence-based practice standards and position statements to guide clinical excellence and medication safety in the ED.
Amplifying Our Voice
Beginning targeted advocacy efforts to promote the recognition and integration of EM pharmacists within healthcare systems and policy discussions.
Fostering Research & Innovation
Laying the groundwork for collaborative research networks, launching pilot projects, and establishing mentorship programs to generate new evidence and advance the field.
Join the Movement
SEMP is more than an organization; it's a community built on shared passion and purpose. We invite you to join us as we honor our specialty's legacy and forge its future together.
Become a Member