Rallying the ED Culture with Dr. Thom Mayer

On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Dr. Ryan Stanton sits down with Dr. Thom Mayer, emergency physician, leadership expert, and Medical Director of the NFL Players Association, for an inspiring conversation about restoring purpose, culture, and leadership in emergency medicine. Drawing from decades of experience leading teams in healthcare, sports, and crisis environments, Dr. Mayer discusses why culture is not a byproduct of the emergency department, but rather the foundation upon which performance, resilience, and patient care are built. The discussion explores the challenges facing today's emergency departments, including burnout, overcrowding, and workforce pressures, while emphasizing that physician leadership remains one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change. Dr. Mayer shares practical insights on leading through adversity, fostering trust, developing high-performing teams, and reconnecting clinicians with the mission that brought them to emergency medicine. This episode is a powerful reminder that while circumstances may be difficult, strong leadership and intentional culture can transform the emergency department experience for physicians, staff, and patients alike.