Our purpose
ACEM is committed to fostering emergency medicine research, encouraging and supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori doctors in undertaking emergency medicine training, building the capacity of emergency medicine programs in low and middle-income countries and promoting practice, research and education of sustainable emergency medicine and climate health.
The College established the ACEM Foundation in 2012 to support its philanthropic work, including funding a range of grants, scholarships, and sponsorships. The ACEM Foundation’s efforts are centred around four core pillars:
- provide opportunities to undertake emergency medicine research endeavours;
- provide opportunities to improve and develop emergency care in low and middle-income countries;
- encourage and support Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Indigenous doctors to become emergency medicine physicians; and
- encourage, support and promote practice, research and education of sustainable emergency medicine and climate health
Our governance
The ACEM Foundation Committee is an entity of the ACEM Board. Its purpose is to manage the operations; oversee the strategic direction of the ACEM Foundation and help it meet its objectives.
The committee is responsible for all aspects of the ACEM Foundation program, including governance, allocation of funding pools and ensuring alignment with the College strategic priorities.
The ACEM Foundation programmatic entities include the Indigenous Health Committee, Research Advisory Committee, Global Emergency Care Committee and the Sustainable Emergency Medicine and Climate Advocacy Network Executive. These entities are responsible for determining the activities and initiatives that receive ACEM Foundation funding, as well as considering outcomes, impact and evaluation, review of grant applications and reporting.
Who is the ACEM Foundation Committee?
Dr John Bonning – Committee Chair
Professor Didier Palmer– Committee Deputy Chair
Dr Peter Allely – ACEM President Elect
Dr Jules Willcocks – Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnerships
Dr Jenny Jamieson – Global Emergency Care Committee
Associate Professor Viet Tran – Research Advisory Committee
Samantha Beattie – Indigenous Health Committee
Dr Sharon Kletchko
Dr Thomas van Dantzig
Brendan Peek – ACEM CEO
Over a decade of impact: Fostering emergency medicine research, building capacity in global emergency care, and supporting Indigenous doctors in emergency medicine training.
Since its establishment in 2012, the ACEM Foundation has made a meaningful and sustained impact across three core pillars. It has supported a growing body of emergency medicine research, enabling Fellows and trainees to undertake projects that contribute to clinical excellence, innovation and improved patient outcomes.
Through its global emergency care initiatives, the Foundation has fostered partnerships and funded programs that enhance emergency care capacity in low and middle-income countries by promoting sustainable, locally-led initiatives.
In parallel, the ACEM Foundation has worked to increase representation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori doctors in emergency medicine by offering scholarships and networking opportunities, as well as promoting a more equitable and culturally safe workforce.
These efforts have collectively advanced the College’s commitment to equity, leadership and excellence in emergency care.
In 2025, the ACEM Foundation established the fourth pillar, Sustainable Emergency Medicine and Climate Health. The purpose of this pillar is to ensure that sustainable emergency medicine and climate health are embedded across the College’s work in education, standards, advocacy, and ACEM’s corporate functions.
For more information contact:
ACEM Foundation Team
[email protected]