New Orleans — Gwen E. Messler Harry, of West Point, Virginia, received an Honorary Membership Award during ACEP’s annual meeting in New Orleans. Mrs. Harry began her career with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in 1976 when she was hired as a secretary for the Virginia Chapter, and eventually rose to the position of executive director.
Mrs. Harry is considered by many in her state to be the “face of emergency medicine,” although she has made a difference in other states as well. Several years ago, when ACEP’s West Virginia Chapter was at a crossroads in development, Mrs. Harry led efforts to develop and implement a plan that enabled West Virginia ACEP to move toward growth, maturity and stability.
Mrs. Harry is a passionate advocate for strengthening the relationship between ACEP and its chapters and was instrumental in forming the Chapter Executives Forum, an annual meeting. She frequently serves as faculty for ACEP conferences. Mrs. Harry is a member of the American Association of Medical Society Executives and the Virginia Conference of Medical Society Executives.
The Honorary Membership Award is presented to individuals who have given outstanding service to ACEP or to the medical profession.