Bringing Mast Cell Disease Awareness to the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physician’s Annual Conferenceby Jessica FraserLast week, I had the privilege of attending the Annual Conference for the Indiana chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (IN-ACEP). Emergency room visits are not an uncommon experience for many patients with a mast cell disease (MCD) and so part of our advocacy on behalf of the community, is to work to build awareness and connections among the emergency physician community. We had an incredible opportunity to do just that when IN-ACEP accepted a proposal to have Dr. Mariana Castells come and speak at their conference.TMS Executive Director, Jessica Fraser at the IN-ACEP meeting. Dr. Marianna Castells can be seen in the background. She was speaking with an ER physician about mast cell diseases and anaphylaxis.Dr. Castells’ presentation focused on an overview of mast cell diseases, including mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and systemic mastocytosis. She educated the physicians on when a mast cell disease might be suspected and what tests they can run to help patients get a diagnosis or to improve patient care.MCDs are often misunderstood conditions that can present in unpredictable, complex ways — especially during acute episodes. It was powerful to see an expert so deeply engaged in educating frontline physicians about the nuances of these disorders. From anaphylaxis without known triggers to persistent GI distress and neurological symptoms, the session sparked insightful questions and thoughtful discussion.In between sessions, I had the chance to speak with several ER doctors and residents about The Mast Cell Disease Society (TMS), our mission, and our resilient patient community. I shared some of our resources and talked about the lived experiences of patients navigating emergency care with a rare, complex disease.Events like these are a vital part of our ongoing advocacy and education efforts. Another exciting outcome is that we have been invited to write an article and share more resources in the next IN-ACEP newsletter.The more we connect directly with providers, the more we can bridge gaps in knowledge, reduce diagnostic delays, and support better care in those critical moments when patients turn to the ER for help.We’re grateful to the IN- ACEP for welcoming us, and to the physicians who are taking the time to learn about mast cell diseases. Conversations like these are how real change begins — one room, one presentation, one shared story at a time.
