CHICAGO—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) announces Ryan A. Stanton, MD, FACEP, as president for the 2026-2027 term. Dr. Stanton’s priorities include making sure emergency physicians are leading emergency care teams and expanding opportunities for the next generation of emergency medicine leaders.

“Patients want a physician to lead their care, and they are right to expect that,” said Dr. Stanton. “There is no substitute for an emergency physician’s training and expertise. Emergency physicians must be the ones leading care in every emergency department.”

Under Dr. Stanton’s leadership, ACEP will expand leadership and development initiatives for emergency physicians, especially those early in their career.

“I look forward to creating and growing pathways for emergency physicians as leaders, educators, advocates, and innovators,” said Dr. Stanton.

Dr. Stanton also sees numerous opportunities for ACEP member-led advocacy to improve the work environment.

“ACEP is eager to lead the difficult conversations about workforce challenges, the boarding crisis, fair and timely reimbursement, and more,” said Dr. Stanton. “We are the unified national voice of emergency physicians, and we are ready to stand up for our specialty and our patients.”

Dr. Stanton is an emergency physician and president of Central Emergency Physicians in Kentucky. He serves as EMS medical director for Lexington-Fayette Urban County, medical director for GMR Motorsports and the AMR/NASCAR safety team, and chief medical contributor for Fox 56 News. He is the creator and host of the ACEP Frontline podcast, now part of the new Emergency Medicine Audio Network, and a former president of the Kentucky chapter of ACEP.

Dr. Stanton earned his medical degree from James H. Quillen College of Medicine and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky.