AAEM/RSA Board of Directors Election

My name is Jack Brodeur and I am a PGY-2 in the Trinity Health Muskegon / West Michigan Emergency Medicine Residency Program. Outside of the hospital, I serve on our Program Evaluation Committee and am a member of our Critical Care Track. I’m also a dad and an avid runner. Next year, I will be one of the inaugural residents in our Medical Education and Leadership Track. As I’ve progressed through my education, I’ve developed a passion for medical education and physician advocacy, with special interest in human factors, decision making, and critical care. In particular, I’m interested in examining the influence shift work can have on our mental and physical health, and how this ultimately affects medical student/resident education and on-shift decision making.

The At-Large Board Member and Vice President positions excite me because I would have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our specialty through the AAEM/RSA. If elected, I would like to expand the educational resources that the AAEM/RSA offers for medical students and residents. I would also like to create a working group to evaluate emergency medicine resident and physician health so that we can better understand the unique demands of our specialty. This will allow us to better understand how we can mitigate the effects of shift work on our health. Thank you for your consideration.

Hello all. My name is Zoe Cole and I am a rising PGY-1. I have been a proud member of AAEM/RSA for over three years now, also serving as the Vice-Chairperson of the AAEM/RSA Wellness Committee for two of those years. I am a passionate, driven advocate for the wellness of medical professionals and work tirelessly to increase visibility for physician suicidality. Last year, I also spearheaded the launch of an annual “Resident Fuel Box Competition” to boost spirits and explore further ideas to expand the reach of the AAEM/RSA Wellness Committee.

In my various leadership positions I strive to encourage medical students to find their passions in EM, and to get involved nationally to better the future of the specialty. I also head the WiEM-AAEM IMG webinar series, where we help guide EM-bound students along their journeys. I will continue making the road better for IMGs who will follow in my footsteps.

I am an extremely hard-working, devoted, and spirited medical student (soon to be resident) and I will continue to support and encourage the Vision, Mission, and Values of AAEM/RSA and continue supporting the importance of wellness in medical training and the medical profession. I look forward to bringing my passion for wellness to residency and organizing new initiatives to continue advocating for my fellow physicians and trainees.

AAEM being the premier education society for Emergency Medicine Physicians has really made me passionate about becoming an AAEM/RSA board member. I want to lend my voice to further not only resident education, but the specialty as a whole through AAEM’s advocacy. I value speaking up for those who may have less of a voice and take pride in being a fierce advocate for my patients. I truly believe every single one of these emergent patients deserves access to a board-certified Emergency Physician. As an AAEM/RSA board member, I will work to expand educational opportunities to as many EM residents as possible, so that all of us can be ready for anything and enjoy long and truly meaningful careers as emergency physicians. Ultimately, my goal is to help to further patient care through physician education. I will also continue to speak up for my classmates and for my fellow emergency medicine residents across the country.

Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy. I would greatly appreciate your vote.

In my year on the AAEM/RSA Board of Directors, I have been grateful for the exposure to learn the organization’s infrastructure. I have been privy to the hard work completed by fellow board members for the benefit of our specialty. The strong relationship between AAEM and AAEM/RSA and insurance that the resident voice is recognized and received on a national platform has been wonderful to witness. As a Board Member At-Large, I spent the year working with the membership committee to further develop the Road to Match Mentorship program. I assisted in culminating a partnership with SNMA to develop a database of rotations with funding opportunities for underrepresented minority students. I also hosted our Office Hours to provide space for fourth-year medical students applying for the Match to have their questions answered.

Before my time on the board ends, I will complete projects focused on improving member benefits, host programming to increase awareness about AAEM/RSA and encourage participation within the different committees. I am applying to join the Board for a second year to expand on the projects from this year. I hope to work more with the Medical Student Council to increase medical student participation. Furthermore, residency programs need to know more about AAEM/RSA as there are numerous opportunities available to residents for advocacy and career development. I would like to work on streamlining communication with delegates and target institutions lacking representation. The JEDI-AAEM section has also had a productive year from their scholarship rollout to their HBCU lecture series and I would like to become more involved with their committee projects for the upcoming year. With my insight of the innerworkings of AAEM/RSA, I hope to be given the opportunity to work with other board members on another productive year for the organization and the membership.

Lauren Lamparter, MD: Dr. Pranshul Goel is passionate about resident education and will be a leader in the field of emergency medicine. He is clinically sound and ready to take on the next level of responsibility as an advocate for greater excellence in emergency medicine education on the national level. I know he will be an asset to the AAEM/RSA board as they navigate encouraging programs to heighten standards and continue to learn to better educate residents in our ever-expanding field. I have directly known him to be hardworking, dedicated, and dependable. Please join me in supporting Dr. Pranshul Goel for At-Large Board Member!

I am running for the position of At-Large Board Member. Throughout my time in medical school and now during my intern year, being involved in organized medicine has been an important aspect for me to give back to the organizations that have guided me during my path. From class presidency to specialty groups, I have been able to foster change in the local and state levels with help from peers and colleagues. As a Board Member, my goal is to receive feedback from our constituents and help AAEM/RSA provide the best education to medical students and residents. I believe emergency medicine has some of the best clinical education available, as most of our learning comes from being on shift and by doing. Regardless of specialty, every individual can benefit from understanding what emergency medicine truly is and as a Board Member, another goal of mine will be to create a better understanding of emergency medicine across specialties, and the public. I hope to continue my involvement in AAEM and to serve as a Board Member to further the specialty of emergency medicine.

Dear Esteemed Members of AAEM/RSA,

I am honored to present my candidacy for the At-Large Board Member position on the Board of Directors. As a dedicated advocate for advancing emergency medicine, I bring a steadfast commitment to education, social welfare, and the evolution of our specialty.

Education lies at the core of our profession’s growth. If elected, I pledge to champion initiatives that enhance educational opportunities for residents and early-career physicians. I envision collaborative programs that foster continuous learning, bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and emerging trends. By supporting mentorship programs and creating platforms for knowledge exchange, we can ensure a thriving community of emergency medicine professionals.

Social welfare is not just a phrase but a guiding principle. I am committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by residents, advocating for work-life balance, mental health resources, and fair compensation. Our well-being is interconnected with the health of our specialty, and I will tirelessly work to create an environment where each member can flourish both professionally and personally.

Emergency medicine is dynamic, and its practice must evolve to meet the ever-changing healthcare landscape. If elected, I will collaborate with stakeholders to promote research, innovation, and the integration of technology into our daily practice. By fostering a culture of adaptability, we can lead the way in shaping the future of emergency medicine, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in the years to come.

In conclusion, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the growth and prosperity of AAEM/RSA as an At-Large Board Member. Together, we can elevate education, enhance social welfare, and drive the evolution of emergency medicine. I am confident that, with your support, we can create a lasting impact on our specialty and the lives it touches.

Sincerely,
Arya Hawkins-Zafarnia

I believe that AAEM/RSA should exist for multiple reasons, with the most important being firstly as a sounding board and voice for those within residency programs and medical schools across the country and world. I believe that AAEM/RSA has and will continue to bring together many different individuals from different programs, demographics, and practice patterns to organize and let our collective voice be heard as one entity advocating for change within Emergency Medicine.

Secondly, in order to act as a voice for its members, AAEM/RSA and its various committees and subcommittees serve as a finger on the pulse of these diverse community members, teasing out the perspectives and needs of its constituent members and acting appropriately to listen to individuals and groups in need of advocacy, mentorship, and inclusion to further their own individual causes, as well as grouping their needs within the mission of AAEM/RSA as needed. Through releasing position statements, bulletins, and newsletters, this organization spreads awareness to important pearls and pitfalls of medical education, residency, and beyond.

I strive to continue this mission through expanding the scope of mentorship and advocacy from the main projects I am already involved in, namely as a guest presenter on the RxR Road to Residency podcast and as Vice President of AAEM/RSA’s Cabinet of Delegates. The Cabinet of Delegates has ballooned in size over the last year, and now encompasses almost one hundred members working on various special topics within focus groups to increase the reach and educational mission of AAEM/RSA. I hope to take the lessons learned from working with such a large and expanding group and applying this to the Board of Directors, to continue to promote inclusion, education, and awareness within the ever-changing landscape of Emergency Medicine.

My name is Yusuke Kishimoto, PGY-1 at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and I am running for AAEM/RSA’s Board of Directors’ At-Large Board Member position.

Since my first year of medical school, I explored my interest in emergency medicine through my school’s emergency medicine interest group. However, after joining the Academy, my interest quickly grew into a solidified passion, as I grew inspired by the mentors and pioneers in the field and the group’s dedication to advocating for emergency medicine physicians across the nation.

Raising awareness of health care policies, empowering physician advocacy, facilitating student/resident/physician education, and providing opportunities for leadership – each of these Academy’s activities prompted me to take action and find ways to contribute to this community. Over the first 2 years, I was actively involved with my EMIG as Term 1 representative, Secretary, and President. With the experiences that I gained, I challenged myself to participate in regional, national, and global leadership opportunities. Through AAEM/RSA’s International committee, I participated in educational projects related to trending international health topics and founded my RxR (Road to Residency) podcast series focusing on residency application preparations and future EM employment opportunities.

As a California native, I currently serve as a resident representative on the California Chapter’s Board of Directors and has provided me the platform and voice to speak regarding current events in our field through Common Sense. Further, after starting my residency at UAMS in Arkansas, I also now serve as the Resident Representative on EMRA’s Arkansas Chapter and as my institution representative on AAEM/RSA’s Cabinet of Delegates. Drawing further from these experiences, I plan to actively participate at the national level to hopefully inspire students and colleagues alike to become future champions of emergency medicine, just as our current leaders were an inspiration for me.

Leah Colucci, MD MS: Anantha has been involved in RSA for years and has strong historical memory. Running for the board will be her 3rd year on the board. She has previously served as Secretary/Treasurer and then this year as Vice President. She has been instrumental in increasing DEI initiatives and building a strong relationship with other EM organizations like ABEM. She helped put on the California AAEM/Take Medicine Back Conference and has assisted in our medical student symposiums. She will be a great asset to this organization in whatever role she chooses.

I, Anantha Singarajah, would like to serve on the AAEM/RSA Board of Directors because I would like to continue the work I have been involved in this year as one of your representatives. As your current AAEM/RSA Vice President, I have spoken on behalf of the AAEM/RSA community at various conferences, advocating for issues that will impact our specialty on a national level. This year, I continued to work closely with RAMS, SAEM, ACEP, EMRA, and other organizations in EM to spearhead a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force that was created to dismantle systemic barriers seen in our specialty. Mentorship continues to be a large focus and I am committed to building a mentoring system for that engages both current and future emergency medicine physicians at various stages of their careers. The Road to Match mentorship program that we created last year continues to flourish and I am specifically working with our medical student council to create an in-person Western Symposium for our medical students in the western region.

If selected to serve on the AAEM/RSA Board of Directors for another year, I plan to use my platform to increase AAEM’s visibility throughout medical schools and residency programs to encourage enrollment and promote our mission to both inspire and inform residents and students. As someone who has gained so much through being a member of AAEM – opportunities, mentors, and networking, I believe that my unique perspective along with my previous leadership experience, skill set, and passion for emergency medicine makes me a well-suited candidate. It would be an honor to continue to serve you again on AAEM/RSA’s Board of Directors. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Anantha Singarajah, DO: It is my great pleasure to nominate Mary Unanyan for a position on the Executive Board for AAEM/RSA. I have worked with Mary on the AAEM/RSA board for two years now and have watched her leadership skills grow, first as the MSC Chair, and currently, as a At-Large Board Member. She is not only a great leader, but she is passionate about the field of Emergency Medicine and RSA’s mission in advocating for fair training environments for current and future residents. Her specific interests in mentorship and education are what led us to work on projects together including the Social EM podcast: EMPower that we debuted last year. I believe RSA needs a leader like Mary to not only represent our students and residents, but to push us forward as our speciality field grows with the changing times. She will be an asset on the executive board with her critical thinking and I whole-heartedly support her.

I would be honored to serve as AAEM/RSA President or Vice President. I have been active in AAEM since my first year of medical school, where I was part of the Representative Council as well as the Advocacy Committee. I then served as the Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee, where I supported my peers in pursuing their passion projects, facilitated group discussions, and collaborated toward achieving shared goals in topics ranging from mental health to the corporatization of healthcare.  

My journey as AAEM leadership continued as Chair of the Medical Student Council (MSC) where I focused efforts to prioritize student outreach and support through helping establish new and strengthen existing EMIGs as well as revamping our EMIG Starter Kit with updated powerpoints and resources. We also implemented an initiative for virtual visits that connect medical students with AAEM leadership. Over this past year, through my position as At-Large Board Member, as well as my induction into the Leadership Academy, I am working on improving the support and opportunities AAEM offers EM fellows.

Throughout all my roles thus far, I have worked diligently to represent and protect EM residents and students across the nation. I’ve attended multiple legislative conferences, both at the state and national levels, and actively lobbied to protect physician rights and the safety of patients. I remain committed to supporting and advancing AAEM/RSA’s vision, mission, and values. I hope to continue to be an advocate for not only the core issues in EM but also for the members of this organization who so passionately work towards bettering the field of EM. I bring my prior experience with advocacy, leadership, and collaboration in hopes of creating a high-functioning team that can effectively and sincerely represent you. I humbly ask for the honor and privilege to serve on AAEM/RSA’s Board. Thank you for your consideration.

Hi! I joined AAEM/RSA in 2018 as an MS1. I was a student ambassador to the scientific assembly, served on the AAEM/RSA social media team, writing tweets and articles for Modern Resident, and later joined the Social EM committee and served as Publications Chair.

I love this organization, I love ER physicians, and I love Emergency Medicine and our patients. As an AAEM/RSA board member, I will attend the meetings, listen well and participate fully, and work hard in between to represent the best interests of EM residents and students.

I’m enthusiastic and passionate about improving our specialty and serving as a board member. Thank you for considering me for your vote!

Anantha Singarajah, DO: I whole-heartedly nominate Katy Wyszynski for the position of Secretary-Treasurer on the AAEM/RSA Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 academic year. I have known Katy since she was a rising MS-2 and she has never failed to impress me with her passion and dedication to the field of Emergency Medicine. She has been an outstanding MSC Chair this year and I’m excited to see what innovative ideas she will carry on as a resident. She will be an asset to both students and residents with her years of experience in AAEM/RSA.

My name is Katy Wyszynski, I am currently a 4th year medical student anxiously awaiting Match Day and so excited to be applying for the position of Secretary-Treasurer on the AAEM/RSA board of directors. I am very familiar with AAEM/RSA as I served as the Medical Student Council Chair this past year and sat on the AAEM/RSA board representing medical students.

I led a team of 7 medical students to help fellow students nationally and internationally to pursue the amazing field of emergency medicine. We hosted 3 regional symposia, 2 of which returned to in-person events this year. We also approved a brand new virtual international symposium, specifically to mentor and help international medical students, which will happen in April 2024 – hope you can join! I am also starting a podcast series “Medical Student Mondays” which will provide the most real advice any 4th year wants to be successful in the match. Finally, I am currently planning scientific assembly events for medical students.

I would be thrilled to serve as Secretary-Treasurer for this upcoming year on AAEM/RSA, and I hope that my dedication to AAEM is evident. I will continue to advocate for our physicians in training and educate my colleagues on important issues emergency medicine faces, as well as mentor anyone interested in joining the profession of emergency medicine. I have prior working knowledge of AAEM/RSA and historical knowledge of budgetary items, and believe I would serve students and residents well as secretary-treasurer.