People

Cristiana Baloescu, MD, MPH

Research Officer

Yale University School of Medicine

Cristiana Baloescu, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Yale, where she serves as director of ultrasound research in the Section of Emergency Ultrasound. She is also director of the Yale Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship.

Dr. Baloescu earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Additionally, she completed her emergency medicine residency and a two-year fellowship in emergency ultrasound at Yale. Moreover, she also earned a Master of Public Health from the Yale School of Public Health. Continuing, Dr. Baloescu holds a focused practice designation in advanced emergency ultrasound.

Her research focuses on the use of machine learning in point-of-care ultrasound, with applications in cardiac and lung imaging, detection of left ventricular hypertrophy, and ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. She has received research support from industry partners, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Baloescu is active in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). She has contributed to the Research and Faculty Development Committees and served as a reviewer for SAEMMIES and conference abstracts. She has received recognition for her work, including the AEUS Research Award and SAEMMIES publication awards.

Meera Muruganandan, MD

Immediate Past President

Boston Medical Center

Meera Muruganandan, MD, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She also serves as medical director at Boston Medical Center.

Dr. Muruganandan earned her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine. Additionally, she completed her emergency medicine residency fellowships in emergency ultrasound and in global health at Brown University.

Her work focuses on advancing point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in clinical practice and education. She has held leadership roles in ultrasound education, including residency education, medical student clerkship director, and fellowship director in advanced emergency medicine ultrasonography.

Dr. Muruganandan has a strong interest in the use of ultrasound in resource-limited settings and has developed training programs for physicians, residents, and midwives. Her work has impacted countries such as Sierra Leone, Uganda, Haiti, and Rwanda.

Zachary Boivin, MD

Secretary

Yale School of Medicine

Dr. Boivin is an instructor of emergency medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and a resident physician at Yale New Haven Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and completed his residency in emergency medicine there as well. 

Dr. Boivin's professional interests include point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), ultrasound simulation, and medical education. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles on ultrasound applications in emergency medicine. 

Tobias Kummer, MD

Treasurer

Mayo Clinic

Tobias Kummer, MD, is an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and director of emergency ultrasound at the Mayo Clinic. 

Dr. Kummer earned his medical degree from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He then completed his emergency medicine residency and emergency ultrasound fellowship at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

His work focuses on clinical, educational, and research programs in point-of-care and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. He has developed residency and fellowship curricula, advanced enterprise ultrasound governance, and led multicenter and industry-collaborative studies.

Dr. Kummer’s academic interests include contrast-enhanced ultrasound in trauma and critical care, resuscitative echocardiography, ultrasound-guided procedures, and innovative training methods. He has received honors including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Presidential Recognition Award and Mayo Clinic Teacher of the Year. Dr. Kummer also serves in leadership roles within national ultrasound organizations, including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Jason Arthur, MD, MPH

President-Elect

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Jason Arthur, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Dr. Arthur earned his medical degree and Master of Public Health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville. Dr Arthur returned to UAMS to complete a fellowship in emergency ultrasound and joined the faculty in the Division of Emergency Ultrasound.

His academic interests include medical education, advanced echocardiography and resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, airway management, and clinical research in emergency medicine.

Dr. Arthur is active in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). He has held leadership roles within the Academy of Emergency Ultrasound (AEUS), including webmaster, education officer, and SonoGames organizing committee chair.

Liang Liu, MD

President

Emory University

Liang Liu, MD, is an associate professor of emergency medicine and ultrasound fellowship director at Emory University.

Dr. Liu earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Additionally, she completed her emergency medicine residency, fellowships in emergency ultrasound, emergency disaster, and global health at the University of Texas Southwestern/Parkland Health & Hospital System.

Her work focuses on graduate medical education, mainly focusing on ultrasound education, educational innovation, and the development of emergency medicine globally. She is actively involved in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows.

Dr. Liu is an active leader in the ultrasound community. She serves on the executive committee of the Academy of Emergency Ultrasound (AEUS) as director-at-large. She also serves on the executive committee of the Society of Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships (SCUF) as the didactic lead for the conference planning committee. Dr. Liu has held prior leadership roles with the American College of Emergency Physicians Emergency Ultrasound Section and the SonoGames executive committee.

Sara Engel, MBA

Member-at-Large

Medical College of Wisconsin

Sara Engel, MBA, is department administrator of emergency medicine and unit executive administrator for anesthesiology and emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has more than eight years of experience at MCW, including leadership roles overseeing departmental and unit operations.

Engel has more than 12 years of experience in health care leadership. Her main focus has been on team development, operational performance, and financial management. Her work emphasizes building engaged teams and advancing innovative approaches to departmental operations.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and her Master of Business Administration from Liberty University. She is also currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership and organizational development.

Engel brings a multicultural perspective to her work and is committed to advancing collaborative, effective leadership in academic medicine. 

Benton Baker, MBA

Member-at-Large

Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group

Benton Baker, MBA, is practice administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Loma Linda Faculty Medical Group.

Baker has more than a decade of experience within the Loma Linda health system. Prior to his current role, he served in physician billing operations, overseeing self-pay services, accounts receivable, and analytics and reporting teams. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Loma Linda University School of Public Health, where he completed applied projects in hospital rebranding and development of a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) initiative.

His work focuses on operational management, financial performance, and supporting clinical teams in a dynamic emergency medicine environment.

Baker is committed to fostering effective team collaboration and advancing administrative excellence in emergency medicine.

Jennifer Patton Muir, EdD, MBA

Immediate Past President

East Carolina University

Jennifer Patton Muir is the administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She holds a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Education in higher education administration.​

Patton Muir has worked in higher education for more than 15 years in various administrative roles, including director of employment in human resources and executive director of business and administrative affairs in the College of Nursing. In her administrative roles, she has been heavily involved in strategic planning, program development, financial management, human resources management, and policy development.​

Patton Muir has been an active leader in professional organizations. She has served on the board of the North Carolina chapter of the College and University Professional Association of Human Resources, where she was co-president. She also served as vice chair of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium of the Carolinas Regional Advisory Board.

Within AAAEM, Patton Muir has contributed to the executive committee and played a key role on the Benchmarking and Strategic Planning Committees.

Lauren Tanzer, MBA

Secretary

Penn Medicine

Lauren Tanzer, MBA, is chief operating officer for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. She oversees four emergency departments, an observation unit, and operations across a large academic medical center.

Tanzer earned her Master of Business Administration from Drexel University and a Master of Science in healthcare quality and safety from Thomas Jefferson University. She is a certified Project Management Professional and completed the Academy of Administrators in Academic Emergency Medicine (AAAEM) Certified Administrator of Academic Emergency Medicine (CAEMA) program. Her leadership experience includes roles at Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

She is active in AAAEM, serving as membership chair and a member of the Education and Professional Development Committee. She maintains a focus of advancing professional development in academic emergency medicine administration.

Tanzer is committed to team development, collaboration, and mentorship, supporting growth and innovation within academic emergency medicine.

Cali Myers, MHA

Treasurer

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Cali Myers, MHA, is executive administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She earned her Bachelor of Science in public health from the University of South Florida, her Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida, and a graduate certificate in clinical informatics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Myers has participated in multiple leadership development programs, including Leadership Gainesville, the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy, and the UAB Institute for Leadership. She contributes at the institutional level through service on School of Medicine committees and task forces focused on financial stewardship, clinical optimization, budgeting, and staff recognition.

She is active in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Academy of Administrators in Academic Emergency Medicine (AAAEM), where she serves as member at large on the executive committee for the 2025–26 term and previously chaired the Communications Committee.

Myers was recognized with the AAAEM Rising Star Administrator Award in 2025.

Frank Jurkiewicz, MBA

President-Elect

University of Florida, College of Medicine - Gainesville

Frank Jurkiewicz, MBA, serves as the vice chair of administrative affairs for the Department of Emergency Medicine (EM) at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. In this role, he functions as the chief non-faculty executive, ensuring faculty have the resources and infrastructure necessary to optimize productivity across clinical, educational, and research missions while maintaining a sustainable financial model. ​

Jurkiewicz earned a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. Over his career, he has held leadership positions in both academic health centers and private practice groups. He has served at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Indiana University Health–Indiana University School of Medicine. ​

Jurkiewicz is actively involved as chair of the Education and Professional Development Committee for the Academy of Administrators in Academic Emergency Medicine (AAAEM). In this capacity, he focuses on promoting knowledge-sharing through sessions that address current challenges and opportunities in EM administration. Additionally, he has served on the Benchmark Committee and previously chaired the Communication Committee within AAAEM. ​

Beyond his professional commitments, Jurkiewicz is dedicated to mentoring future health care leaders. He played a key role in creating a two-year Healthcare Administrative Fellowship at the University of Florida. 

Stephen G. Maxwell, MSM

President

University of Michigan

Stephen G. Maxwell, MSM, serves as the chief department administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Management from Troy University.

Maxwell has extensive experience in healthcare administration. His roles consist of administrator for general surgery and director of finance for the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan. Before joining the university, he held finance positions at integrated systems in southeastern Michigan. Additionally, he held positions in San Antonio, Texas, and Panama City, Florida. His career began in banking in Washington, D.C., in the early 1990s.

An active member of the AAAEM for the past several years, Maxwell has contributed significantly through his participation on the Benchmark Committee. He has focused on research initiatives and presenting findings at AAAEM and SAEM conferences. He has also served on the Strategic Planning Committee, assisting in the development and analysis of membership surveys. Additionally, he has been a member-at-large on the AAAEM executive committee. Also, Maxwell has delivered lectures for the SAEM Chair Development Program.

Meagan R. Hunt, MD

Development Officer

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Meagan R. Hunt, MD, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a practicing emergency physician at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Dr. Hunt earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati. She has practiced in both academic and community settings.

Her work focuses on operational leadership and high-quality care in mental health and substance use care in the emergency department. Also, her work involves fostering supportive clinical environments for providers. She has held leadership roles including adult emergency department medical director, assistant medical director, and physician director of advanced practice provider services.

Dr. Hunt is active in the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), where she has served on multiple committees. She is a member of the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM). Additionally, she is the founder and chair of the ADIEM Operations Committee.

Valerie A. Pierre, MD

Member-at-Large

University of Maryland

Valerie A. Pierre, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dr. Pierre completed her emergency medicine residency at One Brooklyn Health–Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and a clinical ultrasound fellowship at New York University.

Her work focuses on health equity, clinical ultrasound, reducing health disparities, and improving access to care for marginalized populations.

Dr. Pierre is active in national emergency medicine organizations, including the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), where she serves as membership chair for the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM). She also serves as chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Section of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Also, Dr. Pierre contributes to committees within the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society for Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships.

Adedoyin Adesina, MD, MEd

Member-at-Large

Baylor College of Medicine

Adedoyin Adesina, MD, MEd, is an assistant professor and associate clerkship director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Adesina earned her medical degree from SUNY Downstate and completed her emergency medicine residency at Kings County Hospital Center/SUNY Downstate. She also holds a Master of Education in curriculum and innovation from the University of Houston.

Her academic work focuses on inclusive curriculum design, learner-centered innovation, and mentorship. She contributed to redesigning the medical school curriculum at her institution. Also, she developed an online module to train medical students in the effective use of medical interpreters for patients with limited English proficiency.

Dr. Adesina is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical education. She has served in multiple institutional and national roles. She is co-chair of education for the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM). Additionally, Dr. Adesina has received national recognition for excellence in teaching and educational innovation.

Italo Milton Brown, MD, MPH

Member-at-Large

Stanford University

Italo M. Brown, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he serves as health equity and social justice curriculum thread lead.

Dr. Brown earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College and completed his emergency medicine training at Jacobi Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center. He also holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University.

His work focuses on social medicine and health equity, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes for underserved populations. He is chief impact officer of T.R.A.P. Medicine, a barbershop-based wellness initiative addressing the physical and emotional health of Black men and boys.

Dr. Brown has contributed to national conversations on health equity through media and public engagement. He has worked with the ABC News Medical Unit and commentary in major outlets. He has also participated in the White House Office of Public Engagement Health Equity Leaders Roundtable. Additionally, he was recognized by the National Minority Quality Forum as a 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health.

Sreeja Natesan, MD

Immediate Past President

Duke University

Sreeja (Sree) Natesan, MD, is an associate professor and associate program director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Duke University.

Dr. Natesan earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Additionally, she has completed extensive training in medical education through programs with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and Duke University.

Her work focuses on medical education, clinical teaching and feedback, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is co-founder and director of the Duke Graduate Medical Education Medical Education Leadership Track. Additionally, she co-chairs the Duke Graduate Medical Education Professional Development Committee. 

Dr. Natesan is active in national emergency medicine organizations. She maintains leadership roles within the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine. She has received multiple national and institutional awards for excellence in teaching and educational scholarship.

Renee A. King, MD, MPH

Secretary-Treasurer

Denver Health

Jason M. Rotoli, MD

President-Elect

University of Rochester

Jason Rotoli, MD, is an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He also  serves as associate emergency medicine residency program director. Additionally, he directs the Deaf Health Pathways humanities elective at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Rotoli is an attending emergency physician with a focus on medical education, mentorship, and clinical care. He has extensive experience mentoring medical students, residents, and researchers. 

His work focuses on addressing health disparities among marginalized populations, with particular emphasis on Deaf American Sign Language users. He is fluent in American Sign Language and is actively engaged with the Rochester Deaf community, including collaboration with Partners in Deaf Health.

His research focuses on identifying barriers to care and clinical practices that contribute to disparities among Deaf individuals and developing approaches to improve equitable care.