Membership Justification Toolkit

A membership with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) provides valuable access to a vast network of colleagues, important updates from the field, educational events, development opportunities, and much more.

We understand that membership requires an investment of resources from both you and your institution. This toolkit has been developed to assist you in demonstrating the value of AAEM membership to your institution.

About AAEM

AAEM is the champion of the emergency medicine physician.

AAEM was established in 1993 to promote fair and equitable practice environments necessary to allow emergency physicians to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

For 30 years, AAEM has been a leader in protecting board certification in emergency medicine and confronting the harmful influence of the corporate practice of medicine. We support fair and equitable practice environments that allow emergency physicians to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

Mission Statement

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) is the specialty society of emergency medicine. AAEM is a democratic organization committed to the following principles:

  1. Every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual identity or orientation, religion, age, socioeconomic or immigration status, physical or mental disability must have unencumbered access to quality emergency care.
  2. The practice of emergency medicine is best conducted by a physician who is board certified or eligible by either the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM).
  3. The Academy is committed to the personal and professional well-being of every emergency physician which must include fair and equitable practice environments and due process.
  4. The Academy supports residency programs and graduate medical education free of harassment or discrimination, which are essential to the continued enrichment of emergency medicine, and to ensure a high quality of care for the patient.
  5. The Academy is committed to providing affordable high quality continuing medical education in emergency medicine for its members.
  6. The Academy supports the establishment and recognition of emergency medicine internationally as an independent specialty and is committed to its role in the advancement of emergency medicine worldwide.

tips for justifying Your membership

With shrinking institutional budgets, it is important to be able to justify the expense of joining a professional organization. When preparing your request to join AAEM’s community, consider the following:

  • How will an AAEM membership benefit you in your current position?
  • How will an AAEM membership benefit your institution?
  • Which AAEM member benefits do you plan to take advantage of?
Justification Email Template

Please feel free to utilize the template below when communicating with your employer. You may customize the italicized text in the letter according to your specific circumstances and personal details. Cite specific examples whenever possible to strengthen your argument.


Dear [RECIPIENT NAME],

I am writing to request your support for my membership with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM). As a [PHYSICIAN/RESIDENT/STUDENT] of [HOSPITAL/COMPANY/PROGRAM NAME], I believe that joining AAEM will greatly benefit both myself and our organization. My involvement in AAEM will reflect positively on our [HOSPITAL/COMPANY/PROGRAM NAME], demonstrating our commitment to professional development and leadership in the field of emergency medicine.

AAEM was established in 1993 to promote fair and equitable practice environments necessary to allow emergency physicians to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

For 30 years, AAEM has been a leader in protecting board certification in emergency medicine and confronting the harmful influence of the corporate practice of medicine. They support fair and equitable practice environments that allow emergency physicians to deliver the highest quality of patient care.

By becoming a member, I will have access to a wealth of valuable resources and opportunities, including:

  1. Connecting with peers at exclusive events like AAEM’s Annual Scientific Assembly.
  2. Expanding my skill set through mentorship programs and participation in webinars, workshops, etc.
  3. Earning continuing medical education (CME) credits through AAEM CME Online.
  4. Staying informed with AAEM’s top-tier publications that feature the latest research and best practices.
  5. Advocating for change by participating in initiatives and campaigns that directly impact emergency medicine.
  6. Influencing healthcare policy by joining committees and interest groups that tackle the real issues affecting emergency medicine physicians.
  7. Ensuring that my concerns and interests as an emergency medicine physician are being represented at the highest levels of government, backed by AAEM’s strong advocacy efforts.

I understand the importance of managing expenses responsibly, and I assure you that I will make the most of this opportunity to advance my skills and contribute to our [HOSPITAL/COMPANY/PROGRAM NAME]‘s success. The annual membership fee for the [MEMBERSHIP TYPE] membership is [MEMBERSHIP RATE], and I am confident that the benefits it offers justify this professional development investment.

I kindly request your approval to cover the cost of my membership. I am happy to provide further information or answer any questions you may have regarding this request.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your favorable response.

Best regards,
[YOUR NAME]

Membership rates

Individual Membership

Learn more about AAEM and AAEM/RSA membership categories using the buttons below.

Group Membership

Learn more about the benefits of group membership for AAEM and AAEM/RSA using the buttons below.

membership benefits

AAEM Benefits

AAEM has many benefits to offer emergency medicine physicians. These academic and career-based benefits range from discounts on AAEM educational meetings to free and discounted publications and other resources.

View Benefits
AAEM/RSA Benefits

AAEM/RSA has many benefits to offer emergency medicine residents and medical students with an interest in emergency medicine. These academic and career-based benefits range from discounts at meetings to free and discounted publications and professional development assistance.

View Benefits

Questions? Email AAEM or call (800) 884-2236.