People

Christopher Thom, MD, RDMS

Bylaws Committee Member

University of Virginia

Edgardo Ordonez, MD, MPH

Bylaws Committee Member

Baylor College of Medicine

I am humbled and honored to be considered as a candidate for the SAEM Bylaws Committee. As an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), where I serve as Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement in the Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of organizational governance, transparency, and alignment with strategic goals.

My longstanding engagement with SAEM has demonstrated my commitment to the welfare and advancement of our organization. As a past President of the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM), I worked closely with SAEM leadership to champion mentorship programs, collaborative research and educational initiatives, and policies that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. These roles required a critical, detail-oriented approach and a deep understanding of SAEM’s mission and organizational values.

If selected as a Bylaws Committee Member, I will approach this role with a collaborative spirit, working closely with the SAEM Board of Directors, staff, and other committees to ensure that our bylaws, policies, and position statements align with SAEM’s goals and reflect our commitment to shaping the future of science, education, and practice of emergency medicine. As with everything I do, I will apply a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to every aspect of the committee’s work.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my service to SAEM as part of the Bylaws Committee and contributing to the organization’s continued growth and success.

Kelli O'Laughlin, MD, MPH

Member-at-Large

University of Washington

My name is Kelli O’Laughlin and I would like your vote for the SAEM Board of Directors Member-at-Large position. As academic emergency physicians, we pay a lot of attention to what is going on in the USA. This is of course important and appropriate. However, at this critical point in time, with rapidly warming climate, conflict and humanitarian crises, and gaps in essential health services globally, it is essential that we broaden our focus and look worldwide. We must consider how to best develop and support academic emergency medicine leaders around the world and how to best shape science, education, and the practice of emergency medicine and acute care globally. I am a physician scientist with an expertise in public health and research in humanitarian settings with more than 15 years of experience working in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. If elected as Member-at-Large of the SAEM Board of Directors, I will learn from other leaders within SAEM and broaden my own perspective to better understand the potential role of SAEM in global health. I will then use this knowledge to help guide SAEM to be more effective globally, with a focus on reaching underserved areas of our specialty worldwide. My goal is to expand SAEM’s reach so that we are developing and supporting academic leaders and shaping the future science, education and practice of emergency and acute care globally.

From 2020-2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as the President of the Global Emergency Medicine Academy (GEMA) of SAEM. While many GEMA members worked to support colleagues around the world as we all tried to optimize medical resources and care during the pandemic, within GEMA we became acutely aware of the lack of representation of our global colleagues within SAEM. Those of us based in the USA were supported by robust domestic institutions including SAEM. We were able to collaborate and share the resources needed during a time when many others were left with less opportunity to do so. Since that time, leaders within GEMA worked to ensure that access to the SAEM membership and annual conference for colleagues from low and middle-income countries were more affordable. We also began the Committee on Global Engagement to ensure we had focused attention on extending opportunities to our global emergency medicine colleagues. Additionally, GEMA leadership continued to partner with representatives from the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) to provide scholarships for colleagues from low- and middle-income countries to attend the SAEM annual conference.

I believe my education, qualifications and experiences to date support my candidacy for this position. I am an Associate Professor at the University of Washington. I received a medical degree from Oregon Health and Science University, training in emergency medicine at UCLA (Ronald Reagan/Olive View), an MPH from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, and I completed a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. I am board certified in emergency medicine and appointed to both the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Global Health at the University of Washington. I work in the emergency departments at Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington Montlake. I am a physician scientist with expertise in global public health. My recent research has included work to improve the health of refugees in sub-Saharan Africa, to monitor and evaluate the health impacts of COVID-19 in the USA, to promote COVID-19 vaccination among vulnerable populations accessing care in the emergency department, and to use a telephone surveillance system to collect COVID-19 symptom and exposure data and disseminate public health information in refugee settlements across Uganda. In addition to being a leader in GEMA, I have been an active member of the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM) and the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM). Thank you for considering voting for me for Member-at-Large of the SAEM Board of Directors.

Julianna Jung, MD, MEd

Member-at-Large

Johns Hopkins University

I am currently an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and am the Director of Innovation in Medical Education for the institution. I completed EM residency at Johns Hopkins in 2002 and joined the faculty soon after. I hold a Masters in Education, also from Johns Hopkins, and have more than two decades of experience as an educational leader and program builder. Having structured my own academic career around medical education, I am a staunch advocate for my fellow educators in EM. I'm proud to support and advance my education colleagues in SAEM as we seek to build our skills, disseminate our work, and prove our immense worth to our departments and institutions, thereby securing recognition and promotion. I'm also a great believer in the value of mentorship, and it is my honor to help support SAEM programs that open doors for my more junior colleagues, and support lifelong learning and growth for one and all. I am a former CDEM president, and I've served on the SAEM board for the past three years. I hope to continue a strong track record of service to the organization that I consider to be my academic home!

Cassandra Bradby, MD

Member-at-Large

East Carolina University

I am excited to announce my candidacy for Member-At-Large on the SAEM Board of Directors. I proudly graduated from Meharry Medical College and completed my EM residency at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital, where I served as the Education Chief Resident. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor and the Residency Program Director at ECU Health Medical Center and East Carolina University, where I have been involved in residency leadership for nine years. My roles at ECU have included serving on the Curriculum and Executive Academic Committees for the School of Medicine, appointed member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee, Vice Chair of Diversity & Inclusion (2015-2024), and as Course Director for the Foundations of Medicine Course (2015-2017).

Since joining SAEM in 2014, I have dedicated myself to advancing our mission through various leadership roles, particularly within the Academy of Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM). As a member of the ADIEM executive board since 2019, I have served as Member-At-Large, Secretary-Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and now Immediate Past President. I have actively participated in the ADIEM Social Media and Education Committees, developing initiatives like the Leadership, Engagement, and Academic Pathway Program (LEAP), which supports URiM students pursuing academic emergency medicine.

Additionally, I am an inaugural member of the Equity & Inclusion Committee, where I have contributed to strategic planning and the development of DEI curricula. My work on the Faculty Development, Membership, and Awards Committees further demonstrates my commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusivity within our field while honoring the hard work of our members. I am also involved with the Academy of Geriatric Emergency Medicine (AGEM), focusing on diversity in geriatrics research.

I am running for the SAEM Board of Directors to give back to an organization that has profoundly influenced my career. My vision aligns with SAEM's strategic goals of optimizing personal and professional development and enhancing the impact of emergency care research. I aim to strengthen connections between junior faculty and seasoned leaders, promoting mentorship and collaboration. By increasing the visibility of our journals and enhancing educational initiatives, we can ensure our members have access to valuable resources that foster innovation and inclusivity.

Through my leadership roles and volunteer contributions, I have consistently worked to shape the future of emergency medicine, and I am committed to continuing this vital work on the Board. I believe my experiences and dedication to service will help drive our community forward, creating an environment where all members can thrive. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

Shannon Hughen-Giger, MHA

Secretary

University of Virginia

I am submitting my application for serving on the executive leadership committee. In the past I have served AAAEM leading the communications committee while also serving on the education committee simultaneously. I had taken a brief pause the past two years due to my workload increasing from the loss of our chair and my recent relocation and job change, now working in Charlottesville, VA at UVA in a new position. I am ready to get back serving and would very much appreciate your consideration!

Jerome P. Kerwin, MBA, MHA

Member-at-large

WVU School of Medicine

I'm interested in serving as a Member-at-Large for the AAAEM Executive Committee as an opportunity to give back and to serve this group that has been a longstanding and excellent resource for Administrators in our field. There is a long history of collegiality, information and idea sharing and support for the profession. I have always found the network eager to help and rich in ideas. I've been in my position for 18+ years and benefited greatly from being able to learn from others. I also feel that the AAAEM has established a strong working relationship with the Chairs group - which builds on the key working relationship for all of us at the institutional level.

Cali Myers, MHA

Member-at-large

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Rachel Wilson

Medical Student

WVSOM

Rachel Wilson holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in pathology from CWRU. She is in her last year of medical school at WVSOM and a current emergency medicine residency applicant. Prior to medical school, Ms. Wilson worked in media relations and professional writing as well as conducted research on human parturition, publishing multiple studies in this area.

David Basile, MD

Chief Resident

Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center

David Basile, MD, is a graduate of Penn State College of Medicine. He is one of the current chief residents and a third-year resident at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. He has an interest in medical education and health systems science. Upon completion of residency, he will begin his active-duty service with the United States Air Force.

Kinda Sweiden, MD

Resident, Emergency Medicine

MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Kinda Sweiden, MD, is currently a PGY-2 resident in emergency medicine at MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. Originally from Lebanon, Dr. Sweiden completed her residency in emergency medicine in 2023 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, a pivotal experience that laid the foundation for her medical practice. Driven by a commitment to advancing her medical expertise and seeking new opportunities, she relocated to the US to pursue additional training. This decision was profoundly influenced by the desire for a promising future amidst the challenges faced in Lebanon, including the financial crisis and civil insecurity.

Seamus Mangan, DO

Assistant Professor

Case Western Reserve

Seamus Mangan, DO, trained at MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic/Case Western Reserve Emergency Medicine Residency where he was a chief resident. He graduated in 2023 and took on a role as the AI Co-Clerkship Director. His time as Co-Clerkship Director has been spent creating and implementing a new curriculum for acting interns within the emergency department. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Case and works full time at MetroHealth Emergency Department.

Justin Resendes, DO

Co-Clerkship Director

MetroHealth

Justin Resendes, DO, attended medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus. He initially matched into Internal Medicine prior to switching to Emergency Medicine at MetroHealth. After graduation, he became Co-Clerkship Director working with students from all over. His interests include student mentorship, curriculum building, and simulation.

Kelsey Vargas, MD

Director of Education

Emergency Medicine Quality Network of University Hospitals

Kelsey Vargas, MD, completed residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital and Medical Education fellowship at Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit. She is now MS3 clerkship director for the Case Western Reserve University students rotating through the emergency department and the Director of Education for the Emergency Medicine Quality Network of University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. Her areas of interest are faculty development and medical education research studies surrounding emotional intelligence.

Liza Smith, MD

Associate Program Director and Clerkship Director

UMass Chan School of Medicine - Baystate Medical Center

Liza Smith, MD, attended Medical School at Boston University School of Medicine and completed residency at the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency program through Mass General Brigham. Since graduating from residency, she has been academic faculty at UMass Chan School of Medicine - Baystate Medical Center where she serves as an Associate Program Director and Clerkship Director. She has previously served as Chair of CORD ASCEM and is the immediate past chair of CORD APIC with ongoing commitment to improving student advising resources and the application process.

Jason T. Siegel, PhD

Professor, Social Psychology

Claremont Graduate University

Jason T. Siegel, PhD, is a professor of social psychology at Claremont Graduate University, where he directs the Depression and Persuasion Research Lab. His scholarship examines the intersection of message features and the cognitive profile of people with depression to develop messages that encourage help-seeking among this population. He also explores message approaches for enhancing the social support available to people with depression. Siegel has been a principal investigator or co-investigator for more than $25 million in grants and contracts. He is currently working on a federally funded grant to increase help-seeking among military members. HCA Healthcare also sponsors Siegel to conduct research aimed at improving the well-being of their medical residents. He has served, or is currently serving, on the editorial boards of journals, including Health Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and Health Communication. Siegel is co-editor of Wiley's Handbook of Mental Health Communication and is co-editing a special issue for Stigma and Health on the unintended effects of anti-stigma campaigns.

Anna Kate Nicely

Mathew Heimann, MD

Teri Brister, PhD

Senior Advisor

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Teri Brister, PhD, is senior advisor at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She collaborates with NAMI's medical office to ensure all clinical content meets the highest standards of accuracy, relevance, and value, and is supported by research. Dr. Brister also serves as a subject matter expert on NAMI's National Signature Programs and works with members of the executive team to establish and maintain partnerships that advance NAMI's resources. She is the author of NAMI Basics and co-author of the NAMI Homefront program. From July 2018 to June 2024, she served as the patient and family engagement expert for the SAMHSA-funded APA SMI Adviser project. Before joining NAMI in 2005, Dr. Brister worked for 20 years in the community mental health system in Mississippi, holding both clinical and administrative roles, including assistant executive director at two centers. Dr. Brister is a licensed professional counselor in Mississippi.

Gregory Guldner, MD, MS

Vice President of Academic Affairs

HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education

Gregory Guldner, MD, MS, is vice president of academic affairs for HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education. He previously served as designated institutional official for HCA Healthcare Riverside in Southern California and was the program director for the HCA Healthcare Riverside Emergency Medicine Residency Program. He is a clinical professor of emergency medicine at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine. Dr. Guldner earned his medical degree from Stanford University after completing a master's degree in clinical psychology at Purdue University and undergraduate degrees in philosophy and psychology from Colorado State University. He practiced emergency medicine for 25 years in both academic and community settings and has 25 years of service in the Army Medical Corps (Reserve), including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

His research focuses on developing evidence-based systemic, individual, and leadership interventions to improve resident physician well-being. He studies well-being with the HCA/Claremont Graduate University Physician Well-Being Research Lab and works with psychologists at Immersyve Health.