From Board Elections to Breakout Sessions: UTH-EM Stands Out at TCEP CONNECT 2026
EM Residents / Faculty Recognized Statewide for Leadership & Service at TCEP
We had a strong showing at this year’s Texas College of Emergency Physicians (TCEP) CONNECT Conference (external link) in Rockwall, TX, with residents and faculty contributing through leadership, education, and scholarly engagement across multiple conference activities.
This conference serves as one of the premier statewide gatherings for emergency medicine professionals in Texas, featuring leadership meetings, educational programming, research presentations, advocacy initiatives, and networking opportunities for physicians, residents, and med students across the state.
A central highlight of the conference was the election of Abbey Berka, DO, as the new Resident Representative to the TCEP Board of Directors. Dr. Berka will also serve as one of the department’s Chief Residents during her final year of residency training.
In reflecting on her path to emergency medicine and involvement with TCEP, Dr. Berka shared that her interest in the specialty began in 2018 while working as a scribe in Dallas, where she was first exposed to physicians actively engaged in organized emergency medicine:
“I loved the people I worked with, the pace of the department, and I wanted to be the doctor that made people feel seen and well cared for on their worst days,” she said.
Knowing early on that emergency medicine was her intended path, Dr. Berka entered medical school already committed to the specialty. She became involved with TCEP in 2023 after being elected as the Medical Student Representative on the organization’s Board of Directors.
She described her early experiences at the annual TCEP Connect conference as particularly formative:
“I sat at all the board meetings and looked around and just pictured myself as a physician one day in this room surrounded by colleagues that all wanted to make Emergency Medicine in Texas better for our patients, and better for each other,” she shared.
After previously running for the resident position as a PGY-1, Dr. Berka viewed the experience as an opportunity for growth and preparation. This year, she was elected to serve as the resident voice on the Board, representing trainees while collaborating with emergency medicine leaders across the state:
“Truthfully, my role is still small,” she noted. “I am the only resident on the board, so I get to provide the resident physician perspective, but at the same time I get to build relationships with colleagues that have a shared goal: continuing to advocate for improvement in and support of Emergency Medicine in Texas.”
2026 EM Chief Residents
Her election highlights both her commitment to leadership and the department’s continued engagement in shaping emergency medicine at the state level.
In addition to Dr. Berka’s achievement, the department would also like to recognize Chief Resident Cait Minutella, MD, for receiving the Michael Wainscott Legacy Award through TCEP, which honors individuals demonstrating outstanding dedication, leadership, and service within emergency medicine and the broader Texas EM community.
Additionally, Chief Resident Ryan Johnson, MD, was acknowledged for his service as the outgoing Resident Representative to the TCEP Board of Directors. His leadership helped sustain the program’s strong presence and involvement within the organization.
Throughout the conference, EM residents and faculty were actively involved in educational and scholarly programming. Poster presentations were delivered by Briana Williams, MD, Serena Meng, MD, and Ryan Johnson, MD.
Additionally, Drs. Katy Larimore, Dorian Alexander, Brandon O’Keefe, Carolyn Gardiner, and Chief Resident Ryan Johnson contributed through conference speaking sessions, ultrasound education, and hands-on teaching for learners focused on point-of-care ultrasound.
These moments continue to demonstrate the collaborative spirit of our program, showcasing a community of residents and faculty who lead, teach, and advocate for the future of emergency care in Texas while continuing to elevate the next generation of EM health professionals.