ORLANDO, FLA. -  The Southern Medical Association (SMA) has named FCEP's own Paula Oliver Pell, MD, FACEP, FAAP as President during the Annual Scientific Assembly in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15-17, 2007. Established in 1906, SMA is a multi-specialty medical association which enables physicians regionally and nationally to practice the highest standards of medicine by fostering professional development and economic stability through education, services, collegiality, and leadership. Dr. Pell will begin her term immediately following the Annual Scientific Assembly.

A resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, Dr. Pell received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Purdue University and received her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. She did her Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at Ball Memorial Hospital. Dr. Pell's career includes serving as ACLS Course Director and Director of the Emergency Room Department with Marion General Hospital, and Associate Director and Director of the Emergency Room Department with Tift General Hospital. Dr. Pell has been practicing Emergency Medicine in Southwest Florida since 1991 and was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida in 1992. She is a board certified emergency physician with subspecialty boards in pediatric and emergency medicine.

Dr. Pell has held outstanding positions of leadership and has received numerous honors throughout her career. She was selected as one of the Top 5 Outstanding Senior Women from Purdue University. She served one year on the Board of Trustees for Physicians Community Hospital and on the Credential Committees and Executive Committees of Marion General, Tift General, Tampa General and All Children's Hospital. Dr. Pell is an ATLS Provider and PEPP Course Director, an ACLS instructor and is currently the EMS-C Medical Director for Pinellas County.

She became a member of Southern Medical Association in 1988. During her time with the Association, she has served on a number of committees and has represented SMA in several leadership roles. She served as Associate Councilor for Florida from 1994-2002 and was then elected Councilor from that state for 2002-2007. She served as Section Secretary for Pediatrics and Medical Management and Administration which she also served as Chair. She has also served SMA on the Coordinating Committee on Education, the Coordinating Committee on Long Range Planning, the Coordinating Committee on Administration and Budget and as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Coordinating Committee on Membership. Dr. Pell has served on numerous Advisory Committees including: New Physicians, Multi-Media Programs, Scientific Activities, Constitution and Bylaws, and Special Projects and Services.

Dr. Pell has served as President-elect of SMA since November 2006, and is a member of the Executive Committee. She also is a member and both past and present financial supporter of The Society of 1906 which provides financial support to the Research and Education Endowment Fund designed to provide grants and scholarships for physicians-in-training.

Currently in private practice with All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, Dr. Pell and her husband, Dr. Donald Pell, FCCP, who is also a physician and popular speaker for SMA, reside in St. Petersburg. In her spare time, Dr. Pell enjoys working with her horses. The Pells enjoy sailing, traveling, and visiting with family and friends.

The Florida College of Emergency Physicians (FCEP) represents more than 1,100 emergency physicians in the state of Florida. FCEP members represent the health care safety net of Florida’s residents and visitors. More than seven million patients seek care annually in Florida emergency departments. FCEP was founded on Oct. 15, 1971 and is headquartered in Orlando.