Membership Justification Toolkit

Membership with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association (AAEM/RSA) will provide you with valuable access to a vast network of peers, important updates from the field, educational events, development opportunities, and more.

We understand that your 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 an AAEM/RSA membership to your institution.

About AAEM/RSA

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association (AAEM/RSA) is a non-profit professional association for emergency medicine residents and medical students.

Previously a section of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), AAEM/RSA launched as an independent organization in 2005 and works in conjunction with AAEM to advance the emergency medicine specialty.

AAEM is the specialty society of emergency medicine and for over 30 years has pioneered advocacy for the individual specialist in emergency medicine. Visit AAEM’s website to learn more.

Mission Statement

AAEM/RSA is the advocacy association for emergency medicine residents and students. We advocate, educate, and elevate emergency medicine trainees in the following ways:

  1. We advocate for current and future training and practice environments for every EM resident and student.
  2. We advocate for unencumbered patient access to quality emergency care led by EM residency-trained, board-certified emergency physicians.
  3. We educate residents and students to develop clinical excellence, sustainable business practices, and career longevity to best care for themselves and their patients.
  4. We elevate future leaders in emergency medicine by providing mentorship, wellness, and professional development opportunities.

Tips for Justifying Your Membership

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

How will an AAEM/RSA membership benefit you in your current position?
How will your membership in AAEM/RSA benefit your institution?
Which AAEM/RSA member benefits do you plan to take advantage of?

Justification Email Template

Please feel free to utilize the template below to email your institution. 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 Resident and Student Association (AAEM/RSA). As a [RESIDENT/STUDENT] of [INSTITUTION/PROGRAM NAME], I believe that joining AAEM/RSA will greatly benefit both myself and our organization. My involvement in AAEM/RSA will reflect positively on our [INSTITUTION/PROGRAM NAME], demonstrating our commitment to professional development and leadership in the field of emergency medicine.

Previously a section of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), AAEM/RSA launched as an independent organization in 2005 and works in conjunction with AAEM to advance the emergency medicine specialty.

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 of their resident and student association, I will have access to a wealth of valuable resources giving me the ability to:

  1. Connect with peers at exclusive events like AAEM’s Annual Scientific Assembly.
  2. Expand my skill set through mentorship programs and participation in webinars, workshops, etc.
  3. Earn continuing medical education (CME) credits through AAEM CME Online.
  4. Stay informed with AAEM’s top-tier publications that feature the latest research and best practices.
  5. Advocate for change by participating in initiatives and campaigns that directly impact emergency medicine.
  6. Influence healthcare policy by joining committees and interest groups that tackle the real issues affecting emergency medicine.
  7. Ensure that my concerns and interests as a [RESIDENT/STUDENT] 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 [INSTITUTION/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 with AAEM/RSA. I am happy to provide further information or answer any questions you may have regarding this request.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your 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/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
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

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