Landing Your First Academic EM Faculty Position: What Chairs Want You to Know
Have questions regarding where to find job postings for academic positions? What to say or not to say in an interview? How to assess your competitiveness for a role? How to know whether a fellowship is essential for the career goals you have?
This webinar will feature four academic chairs from across the country with a wealth of knowledge, ready to answer these questions and more!
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Indrani Guzmán Das, MD
Member-at-Large
Stanford University
Dr. Guzmán Das is a PGY-2 at Stanford Health Care. She earned her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
At Stanford, Dr. Guzmán Das serves on the program evaluation committee to identify areas for residency improvement, the recruitment committee, and as a mentor for programs that expand opportunities for underrepresented students.
Before medical school, she worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company, advising S&P 500 corporations and international nonprofits on strategic goals and operations. She later joined the International Rescue Committee, focusing on global refugee resettlement programs.
Dr. Guzmán Das’s research has examined how rising healthcare costs create barriers to access for underserved populations. She has collaborated with Johns Hopkins University on hospital billing practices and worked with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Partners in Health to expand emergency care access in international development programs.
Dr. Guzmán Das is passionate about making high-quality health care more affordable and accessible. She views the emergency department as a front line for addressing systemic health inequities and is committed to building a better healthcare system.
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Jared A. Escobar, MD
Member-at-Large
Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School
Dr. Escobar is a PGY-2 resident at New Jersey Medical School with a unique background shaped by military service, health care experience, and a strong commitment to leadership and education. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in the Marine Special Operations community. Toward the end of his enlistment, Jared began cross-training with Navy Corpsmen, which set the stage for his transition into medicine.
After completing military service, Jared pursued undergraduate studies at Fordham University before attending Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for medical education. While in medical school, Jared received a commission into the U.S. Army, further developing his leadership skills and applying military principles to health care. As a Curriculum Research Fellow, Jared helped integrate teamwork and leadership training into the residency curriculum, publishing research on these topics. Dr. Escobar was honored to be inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and named a Rutgers Rising Star Scholar for his academic and leadership achievements.
Now in his second year of residency, Jared continues to apply these leadership lessons in emergency medicine. Jared has contributed to initiatives focused on improving patient care in high-acuity settings, including the development of critical airway equipment and enhancing team performance through briefing and debriefing.
Dr. Escobar is eager to contribute to the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) by advancing research, education, and leadership initiatives. Through RAMS, Jared aims to advocate for policies that improve the educational experience for residents and medical students while fostering collaboration and community within the specialty. -
Mary E. Tanski, MD, MBA
President-Elect
Oregon Health & Science University
Dr. Tanski is associate professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
She earned an undergraduate degree in business management and health and humanities from Michigan State University and received her medical degree from Wayne State University. Dr. Tanski completed her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University, where she also served as chief resident. She then completed an emergency medicine administration fellowship and earned an MBA at OHSU.
Dr. Tanski has been a faculty member in the Department of Emergency Medicine at OHSU, where she teaches the health care operations and quality course. She previously served as medical director of operations before being appointed department chair.
Her expertise includes emergency department operations and quality improvement, with a focus on improving patient flow, implementing a no-divert trial, and addressing departmental boarding.
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Susan A. Stern, MD
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Washington
Sue Stern, MD, is the head of the Department of Emergency Medicine (EM) that includes the Harborview and University of Washington Medical Center Emergency Departments. She is also an active researcher in the area of resuscitation science, specifically evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in the early phases following traumatic injury with hemorrhagic shock.
Dr. Stern earned her bachelor's degree from Tufts University and her M.D. from Case Western Reserve University. She completed her residency in EM at the University of Cincinnati, followed by a research fellowship in resuscitation science. After 17 years as faculty at the University of Michigan, she moved to the University of Washington in 2009 to lead the Department of Emergency Medicine.
She is board certified in EM and has served on the board of directors of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).
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Lewis S. Nelson, MD, MBA
Dean and Chief of Health Affairs
Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine
Lewis S. Nelson, MD, MBA, joins Florida Atlantic University as Dean and Chief of Health Affairs at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in academic emergency medicine (EM), medical toxicology, and addiction medicine, Dr. Nelson brings over three decades of experience in medical education, clinical care, and academic leadership to FAU.
Prior to joining FAU in 2025, Dr. Nelson served as Professor and founding Chair of EM at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he also held the position of Chief of Service for the Emergency Department at University Hospital of Newark. His leadership drove remarkable growth: expanding the residency program, doubling the faculty size, establishing five fellowship programs, and increasing clinical revenue by 40% while maintaining a strong focus on educational excellence and research productivity. He also served as Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine, developing innovative approaches to addressing substance use disorders and other public health challenges.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nelson has shaped medical education, health policy, and clinical practice through key national leadership roles. He has served as President of the Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine (AACEM), held positions on the Board of Directors for both the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, and led the American College of Medical Toxicology as President. His work with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and various professional organizations and governmental agencies has shaped medical education, health policy, and clinical practice nationally.
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James Waymack, MD
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
James Waymack, MD, has academic interests that span graduate medical education, clinical and diagnostic imaging, rural emergency medicine, tactical medicine, and disaster preparedness. What Dr. Waymack enjoys most about the SIU program is working closely with the residents - watching them grow throughout their training and graduate into independent practice. He finds it inspiring to see their dedication and hard work, not only in developing themselves but also in strengthening the program year after year.