People

Jared A. Escobar, MD

Member-at-Large

Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School

I am a PGY-3 resident at New Jersey Medical School with a background shaped by military service, healthcare experience, and a strong commitment to leadership, education, and mentorship. After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Marine Special Operations community. During this time, I cross-trained with Navy Corpsmen, which inspired my transition into medicine. Following my military service, I completed undergraduate studies at Fordham University before attending Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where I was commissioned into the U.S. Army. As a Curriculum Research Fellow, I helped integrate teamwork and leadership training into residency programs and published research on team performance and medical education. I was honored to be inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and recognized as a Rutgers Rising Star Scholar for my academic and leadership achievements.

Over the past year, I have served on the SAEM RAMS Board, contributing to initiatives focused on resident wellness, professional development, and educational programming. I have worked to create webinars and other resources that provide trainees with insight into academic careers, faculty positions, and leadership opportunities within emergency medicine.

I am running for re-election to the RAMS Board to continue advancing the Society’s mission of supporting residents and medical students in emergency medicine. If re-elected, I plan to expand educational opportunities, particularly in critical care and EM-ICU integration, strengthen resident leadership development programs, and foster a supportive, collaborative community among RAMS members. My goal is to ensure that trainees are not only well-prepared for clinical excellence but also empowered to become leaders, innovators, and advocates for the specialty.
I am excited to continue contributing to RAMS and SAEM by promoting education, research, mentorship, and community, helping to shape the next generation of academic emergency physicians.

Ethan Grant, MD

Member-at-Large

University of Utah Health

Dr. Ethan Grant is a PGY-2 resident at University of Utah Health. Dr. Grant is a native of rural West Texas, and completed his medical school training at Texas Tech University Health Science Center in 2023. His journey to medicine began by working as an emergency department scribe at Denver Health, where he grew to love the pace and changing environments of EM. During medical school, Dr. Grant served as the Wilderness Medicine Liaison for the emergency medicine interest group, and the Quartermaster for the Wilderness Medicine club. In these roles he broke down barriers that often prohibit students from training in austere environments. During residency, Dr. Grant has worked to improve the learning of incoming interns by coordinating education month. Additionally, he has invested in the future of emergency medicine by being involved with the interview process and by teaching medical students.

If selected to be a Member at Large for RAMS, I hope to increase the visibility of RAMS at medical schools and residencies to improve member engagement. As a key point of relations between residents and medical students interested in EM, RAMS has an important opportunity to excite students about the many career possibilities within EM. I hope to broaden the ways in which students and residents view their career paths, as the world of EM steps into a post-COVID era. Additionally, I hope to use my education and training opportunities to build connections for members with the wilderness and austere medicine community.

Eileen Williams, MD

Member-at-Large

University of Texas Southwestern

My name is Eileen Williams, and I am currently a second-year emergency medicine resident at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and completed my undergraduate education at Stanford University, where I worked in a research lab exploring the functional neurological correlates of anxiety and depression. I also worked as a residential counselor for adolescents with eating disorders and helped manage a team of podcast editors, writers, and engineers as a lead producer at the Stanford Storytelling Project. After college, I spent two years completing my final pre-med classes, as well as preparing for and taking the MCAT. During this time, I also worked as a medical scribe and trainer, fell in love with emergency medicine, and developed my own bustling tutoring business.

I moved to Houston for medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, where I was lucky enough to meet an incredible role model and inspiration within the field of academic emergency medicine. Together, we designed and completed a literature review on existing adolescent medicine curricula targeted to emergency medicine residents. Finding very little, we then moved on to conduct a national Delphi study to identify key competencies in this space.

During medical school, I also leveraged my undergraduate experience in the media sphere to help develop and produce our new official school podcast, Resonance. I did everything I could to invest in academics, including the creation of a pre-clinical EKG course that I later went on to facilitate as a TA. As a member of the Curriculum Renewal Workgroup (CREW) at Baylor College of Medicine, I collaborated with a team composed primarily of faculty to redesign the entire structure of the Baylor experience, including succeeding in expanding the graduation requirement to include four rather than merely two weeks of emergency medicine experience.

Now in residency, I am helping to spearhead the new academic medicine track that I helped to develop. Additionally, I initiated a working group now in the process of developing a new medical Spanish curriculum for the program. I also co-chair our monthly podcast club, which necessitates both logistical skill and the ability to facilitate complex educational discussions. When I’m not working, sleeping, or studying, you can find me watching football, writing crossword puzzles and reading twisty murder mysteries.

My passion for emergency medicine colors my perspective on the world, shaping me as a clinician and as a person. I am incredibly fortunate to be completing an emergency medicine residency and pursuing this career. Still, I recognize that the specialty is far from perfect. As much as I love – and will always love – emergency medicine, I appreciate that we are facing many challenges. I believe trainees and residents must step up to take action and be part of the solution: we are the future of the field. RAMS enables us to work together within the academic space and do just that. As a member-at-large, I would strive ceaselessly to serve as an effective advocate and liaison for the ideas and concerns of my co-residents.

James Colletti, MD

Member-at-Large

Mayo Clinic Rochester

I am James E. Colletti, MD, Chair of the Mayo Clinic Rochester Emergency Department and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine. I earned my medical degree from The Chicago Medical School and completed residency in the combined Pediatrics/Emergency Medicine program at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. I have held several leadership roles throughout my career, including Mayo EM Program Director and Mayo Emergency Medicine Department Academic Development Chair. I have also contributed to national efforts, serving on the ACEP Pediatric Committee, the AAEM Education Committee, and the SAEM Faculty Development Committee. Additionally, I have spoken nationally on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and education topics and have served as course director for CORD Navigating the Academic Waters and the Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine CME Conference.

I am proud to have received multiple awards, including induction into the Mayo Fellows Association Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame, the AAEM Young Educator Award, the AAEM Written Board Speaker of the Year Award, the Council of Residency Directors/Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award, the AAEM Joe Lex Educator of the Year Award, the Program Director Recognition Award from the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, and the Distinguished Emergency Department Clinician Award from the Mayo Clinic Rochester Department of Emergency Medicine. I have also authored numerous articles and served as an editor for Clinics of North America and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports.

With a deep passion for academic emergency medicine, I am seeking office to help address key issues in our specialty, particularly workforce shortages, the evolving landscape of emergency care, and the future of medical education. If elected, I will work to foster collaboration across institutions, create more opportunities for research funding, and advance mentorship and faculty development. By building on our strengths, I believe we can continue to grow and improve emergency medicine for the benefit of our patients and colleagues.

Benjamin Sun, MD, MPP

Member-at-Large

University of Pennsylvania

Nancy Kwon, MD, MPA

SAEM Nominating Committee Member

Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Northwell Health

I believe that SAEM is the most important and formative organization for Emergency Medicine. I have been an active member of SAEM since residency, and am currently the Chair of the SAEM Faculty Development Committee, and an active member of the Equity and Inclusion, and Research Committees, and was elected in the past to be a member of the Nominating Committee. I was also selected previously to take part in the AACEM Chair Development Program.

In my prior term on the Nominating Committee, and my current application, I recognize the great importance and responsibility this position holds in identifying and vetting future leaders for SAEM.

I am currently the Vice Chair of Emergency Medicine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and a Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Most recently, I became the Central Region Medical Director of Diversity and Health Equity for Northwell Health under Northwell's Center for Equity of Care.

I have many years of experience in academics and have served in the past as the Associate Chair of Academics and Research in Emergency Medicine. I have been a member of the Appointments and Promotions Committee for the Zucker School of Medicine, and have been chosen to take part in multiple Chair and Vice Chair search committees. I have been a recipient of Northwell's President’s Award for Teamwork in 2014., the Emergency Medicine Service Line Guttenberg Award in 2017 for my work in Emergency Medicine, and was one of five finalists for Northwell Health System's Truly Leadership award, and was awarded the Truly Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in 2024. I have a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Population Health, developing and implementing programs for vulnerable and underrepresented patient populations, faculty development, and mentorship.

I received a Bachelor of Science from Brown University, and a Doctorate of Medicine from The University of Rochester. I completed my Residency in Emergency Medicine at NYU Langone School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center, and stayed on as faculty until 2013. I received a Masters in Public Administration from The NYU Wagner School of Public Service.

I would be honored to serve in this role, would use my prior experience in SAEM as a Nominating Committee Member, and my years of academic experience to assist in supporting the efforts of SAEM.

Sara M. Hock, MD

SAEM Nominating Committee Member

Rush University Medical Center

I'm seeking an elected position on the nominating committee because I believe that through advancing the opportunities of our academic community for all, we serve to strengthen many future generations of physicians. I have personally observed the beneficial effect of networking, leadership, and national collaborations that result from the organization and academy structure that exists within SAEM. I would like to continue the tradition that SAEM leaders before me have begun of being a true home for educators and researchers in emergency medicine.

The academic mission and peer support available through SAEM is an ideal proving ground for educators seeking to advance their careers, and a strong, well supported Academy structure has been instrumental to that success. I hope to collaborate with other members of the Nominating Committee to seek out our organization's future leaders and identify individuals to shepherd the organization into the future.

In my role as the Simulation Academy treasurer, and then president, I was able to observe the way the academies are supported by the organization and by leadership of the board. I initiated new programs within the simulation academy and collaborated with other national organizations to strengthen the simulation-based medical education experience for all EM learners. Under my leadership our membership increased and we expanded our in person collaboration and mentoring options to include other frequently attended national conferences. This leadership experience has prepared me to take on leadership within the broader SAEM organization.

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 excited to announce my candidacy for the position of secretary, driven by a strong desire to contribute to our AAAEM members. With a robust background in health administration and over eight years of experience in managing emergency departments at two different locations (UAMS and UVA), I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within this field. My expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, and personnel management has allowed me to implement effective operational policies that enhance patient care and team performance.

In addition to my administrative skills, I hold a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration, which has provided me with a solid foundation in health policy, organizational behavior, and quality improvement. My involvement in various committees and professional organizations has equipped me with valuable insights into best practices and emerging trends in emergency medicine. I have led the AAAEM marketing committee, as well as, served on the professional development and education committee, strategy committee, and served as a mentor. If elected as secretary, I aim to facilitate better communication among members, streamline some processes, and promote initiatives that help support the advancement of our EM careers.

I received the Rising Star award in 2021 and obtained my CAEMA certificate in 2022. I have been an active member in the Junior League, where I chaired three different committees, served as a chair with the Arkansas Young Professional Network and was nominated to serve on the Leadership Greater Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors. I am currently working on obtaining a fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives and will sit for the exam in 2026.

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

Treasurer

University of Alabama at Birmingham

As a dedicated healthcare executive with extensive experience in managing an academic emergency medicine department, I am excited to submit my candidacy for the AAAEM Treasurer position. I currently serve as the Executive Administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; our department has a $28+ million annual budget, 60 faculty, 9 fellowship programs, 37 residents, and 14 full-time administrative and research staff members. In my role, I have supported efforts across financial, operational, and human resources functions.

I have also served my institution as a member of committees and task forces including the Clinical Departments Financial Stewardship Committee, School of Medicine Budget Task Force, Dean’s Excellence Award for Staff Selection Committee, and Provider Practice Optimization Steering Committee.

I became a member of AAAEM in 2021 when I joined the Department of Emergency Medicine. Since that time, I have committed myself wholeheartedly to the organization and have experienced significant professional growth due to my involvement. I was a mentee in the inaugural class of the Membership Insider Program (MIP) and am currently completing the Certificate of Academic Emergency Medicine Administration (CAEMA) program. At the annual retreat in 2025, I was honored to receive the Rising Star Award. Currently, I serve as the Member-at-Large on the Executive Committee while leading the Communications Committee as its Chair since 2023. If elected to the Board as Treasurer, I will bring a collaborative approach, financial acumen, and strategic vision to help AAAEM continue to thrive. I look forward to continuing to support the professional growth of our field and its leaders.

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.