YPS-AAEM Fellowship Spotlights are an opportunity to meet and learn from fellow physicians on their journey in emergency medicine. Our Spotlights allow members to share experiences and tips they have learned as well as highlight their leadership activities within AAEM. It also provides an opportunity to share your achievements and be recognized within the AAEM community.
Would you like to be featured? Please submit the form today:
Current Spotlight
About Dr. Whitford
Dr. Whitford became an emergency physician to care for the sickest patients and have the broadest scope of practice. He wanted to be able to provide care to any patient, regardless of age or complaint, and in austere environments. He is motivated by pushing resuscitative medicine forward and making his ED capable and ready for providing the highest level of critical care.
Additionally, Dr. Whitford is a diplomate of the American Board of Echocardiography in both critical care echocardiography and perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. He is the first ED/CC physician to have these designations.
Dr. Whitford’s Advice to Young Physicians
To fellow young physicians, Dr. Whitford advises to never forget why you went into EM and doggedly pursue your goals. Persistence pays off. Don’t let set backs dissuade you. Make personal time and non-medical goals a priority now.
Past Spotlights
About Dr. Eisenstat
For Dr. Eisenstat, emergency medicine was always his plan. Because physicians in other specialties have access to thorough medical history, records, previous imaging, and other resources, Dr. Eisenstat declares emergency physicians as the last true detectives. He describes that there is no greater feeling than using the clues the patient gives you in combination with your training to save a person’s life.
Outside of the ED, Dr. Eisenstat describes himself as a bookworm. History, politics, and biographies are the usual genres he gets lost in. Along with that, he loves to cook. For the same reason that some emergency physicians love to do laceration repairs, Dr. Eisenstat finds that using your hands while hyper-focusing on a task is therapeutic.
Dr. Eisenstat’s Advice to Young Physicians
To fellow young physicians, Dr. Eisenstat cautions not to lose who you are in this journey. The stress and the hours mixed with good pay and relative respect from your peers can really warp some people. He suggests taking the time to figure out what is important to you in life and reflect on what traits you are proud of in yourself. Make the effort to protect those traits.
About Dr. Ginsburg
Dr. Ginsburg became an Emergency Physician because he loves helping people. When a patient is in their greatest moment of need or has no where else to go, Dr. Ginsburg is proud that he can be there to help. Whether he’s affecting the health of a patient or the career of a trainee, Dr. Ginsburg is motivated by making an impact.
Outside of the ED, Dr. Ginsburg enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling, running, and going on long walks with his wife and dog.
Dr. Ginsburg’s Advice to Young Physicians
To fellow Young Physicians, Dr. Ginsburg advises you to think early about what will make you happy in the long run, however, know that you’re not stuck, and it is never too late to change paths.
About Dr. Kuzel
Dr. Kuzel describes himself as an “old soul”. He enjoys collecting relics and newspapers from the U.S. Civil War and as a proud Kentuckian, a sizeable bourbon collection. As an EMS and former employee of the Department of Justice, Dr. Kuzel also enjoys collecting patches and challenge coins
Dr. Kuzel’s Greatest Accomplishment
Working with his faculty in Louisville, Dr. Kuzel and his team were able to pull off a program to bring two Lithuanian emergency medicine residents to study for a month at the University of Lousiville. Dr. Kuzel recalls how impressive it was to meet these residents, considering that they will be the future leaders of their specialty in Lithuania, as the specialty in Lithuania was only founded in 2018. Learning about the challenges that emergency medicine in Lithuania was facing reminded Dr. Kuzel of U.S. emergency medicine in the 60s. Hearing about the challenges that the U.S. has already went through and overcome gave him immense pride to think about how far emergency medicine has come and what its founders had to go through to bring emergency medicine into the House of Medicine.
About Dr. Eichelser
Dr. Jordan Eichelser is motivated by patient appreciation. Even if she is having a bad day, when Dr. Eichelser sees the smile on her patient’s face after thanking her for making them feel better, it makes everything worth it for her. Dr. Eichelser’s other motivator is her family. They have supported her through it all and continue to push her to become the best version of herself.
Dr. Eichelser is a member of the Wellness Committee, the chair of Membership and Awards, and is the AAEM/RSA Representative for Women in Emergency Medicine (WiEM-AAEM).
Why Dr. Eichelser Became an Emergency Physician
Dr. Eichelser fell in love with EM when she worked as a scribe in the ED before medical school. She is someone that always likes to be on the go and emergency medicine does exactly that. Dr. Eichelser also loves that each person presents with different symptoms or complaints and it is up to her to figure out what is going on.
About Dr. Theophanous
Dr. Rebecca Theophanous is motivated by the people she works with and is inspired by the leaders in her field. She mirrors her role models and mentors in projecting her passion for emergency medicine and working to help alleviate patients’ illnesses and suffering.
Her favorite hobbies include live music, playing violin and piano, hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, cooking Mediterranean dishes, reading, learning about different cultures and languages, and finally teaching and ultrasounding of course!
Dr. Theophanous’ Advice to Young Physicians
For medical students, keep an open mind when going through your clinical rotations. Weigh the pros and cons of each specialty and listen to your gut – and mentors – before making a final decision.
For residents, again, be flexible with an open mindset, as you may enjoy a rotation or training opportunity that may surprise you and lead you down your ultimate path to success. Seek out mentors early, stay on track with deadlines, but also give yourself time to relax on a weekly basis. Residency is difficult, and remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint, so make every effort to enjoy it!
About Dr. Fischer
Dr. Greg Fischer loves the challenge of a constantly changing environment. The teamwork with the nursing and ancillary staff that he has experienced in the ER is something unique to the specialty. He loves being a generalist and learning about every field in medicine which is unique skill an EM physician must have. He is motivated to taking care of people on their worst day and the constant quest for knowledge.
His favorite hobbies include fishing, rock climbing, and disc golf.
Why Dr. Fischer Joined YPS-AAEM
Dr. Fischer finds that advocating for the young physicians in Emergency Medicine is one of the most important things that can be done as an EM community. The first year of independent practice is one of the most challenging times in a physician’s career. YPS-AAEM has been integral in navigating this process for Dr. Fischer and has connected him to his local EM community. It has kept him involved in emerging issues that the EM community face and he looks forward to mentoring young physicians through this process in the future.
About Dr. Smith
Dr. Austin Smith became an emergency physician because he appreciates the ability to provide care to anyone who walks through the door and have a wide skill set. (And, it’s also the best career for cocktail stories.) He’s motivated to improve care in his community and hopes to contribute to the field of emergency medicine.
Dr. Smith recently became the medical staff president at his hospital. He uses this opportunity to advocate for his group.
Snow skiing, mountain biking, and hiking are just a few things Dr. Smith enjoys in his free time!
Why Dr. Smith Joined YPS-AAEM
Dr. Smith joined YPS-AAEM because of the career development opportunities, including connections to mentors, career advice, and a free CV and cover letter review service. Plus, it’s a great way to get involved in AAEM by joining national committees and engaging in advocacy for our specialty.
About Dr. Allan
Dr. Allan became an emergency physician because he finds purpose in being the person who can help patients and families face their healthcare challenges, whether it be in the setting of tragedy or as a coordinator in the access of definitive care.
Outside of the ED, Dr. Allan enjoys traveling (both domestic and internationally), running, and cooking. He hopes to accomplish his goal of running a marathon post-residency!
Why Dr. Allan Joined YPS-AAEM
Dr. Allan joined YPS-AAEM because emergency medicine has many unique challenges, and YPS-AAEM offers him an opportunity to have a voice and be part of the solution as we work to advance emergency care delivery in this country. As a young attending physician, YPS-AAEM also offers him the opportunity get involved in an organization that very much aligns with his vision of emergency care in the US.
About Dr. McGowan
Dr. McGowan became an emergency physician because she felt it is one of the true “old school” specialties of physicians. She wanted to be confident that she can manage any patient, any complaint, any time- regardless of the traditional barriers to care (lack of insurance, socioeconomic status, language barriers, etc). She wanted to practice medicine in it’s purest form, and be there for people on the worst day of their lives. Now, one of her main joys in her career is being able to honor this commitment while helping guide the next generation of emergency physicians as they find their own path in life. It’s the best job in the world!
Dr. McGowan loves to travel! She’s been fortunate to visit all 7 continents and is always looking forward to the next opportunity to explore the world. Like all good EM physicians, she enjoys anything outdoors and high adrenaline sports- hers comes in the form of riding and competing with her American Saddlebred horses. She’s also a cat mom to 3 wonderful kitties after learning her lesson about feeding (pregnant) strays.
Why Dr. McGowan Joined YPS-AAEM
Dr. McGowan wishes she had discovered YPS earlier in her career, but better late than never! After graduating residency, her focus was clinical work in a community setting. She thought this was where she would spend her entire career, but she soon realized how much she missed teaching and academics. She had admittedly let all of her professional memberships lapse (a common theme in the post residency grads, and a definite target group for outreach!) and fell out of touch. Upon shifting her focus back to a path towards academics, she began to explore the professional organizations to find which best represented her views and concerns – leading her directly to AAEM. She quickly found the YPS section and found similar minded young physicians who are ready to use their voices to shape the future of our specialty. She’s excited to get to work this year serving as a section councilor.