2010 Election Results!
The Nominating Committee presented the following slate of candidates for 5 positions on the Board of Directors, as well as 3 Councillors and 2 Alternates to represent our chapter to the National ACEP organization.
The election was determined by members eligible and voting by mail, fax or online between December 28 and January 26.
Board of Directors:
David M. Garth, MD – Spotsylvania
“I am honored and humbled by the trust you, my colleagues, have placed in me while serving on the VaCEP board for the last 3 years. As a board member, I have been an advocate for a lobbying and legislative agenda that reflects the “pit doc” attitude. I have also been the treasurer of VACEP the last two years. As I am a full time working attending, I recognize any changes made at the board level can affect my practice also. I always keep this point of view during board level discussions on any issue.
I have been an attending emergency medicine physician for over 11 years in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I continue on the Rappahannock EMS council board of directors serving as it regional medical director. I continue to serve on the state medical direction committee. I have an active interest in operational/tactical medicine.
During my time in Fredericksburg, great challenges have confronted my practice and our state. My practice has been through a liability crisis, broke with a major insurer, and has emerged stronger. I intend to continue bringing this knowledge and enthusiasm to the board. I have felt the pain of working short staffed and the lack of specialty on call back up. If re-elected I intend to vigorously serve, you, the individual emergency medicine physician in Virginia.
Together, I hope we will mount a strong response to liability issues and decreasing reimbursement. We must
continue to rally against insurers who refuse to negotiate fairly with us. This will help keep the state viable for our profession and future recruiting. When re-elected, I will continue to advocate for the “pit doc” Virginia ACEP members, for the good of the members.
Thank you for your consideration.”
ACEP member since 1995
ABEM certified 1999
Current professional position: Attending Emergency Physician, Mary Washington Hospital, Spotsylvania, VA
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 1991 – 1995; Internship & Emergency Medicine Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital , 1995 – 1998.
VACEP Activities: Board of Directors 2007 – present; Treasurer 2008 – present; Finance/Budget Subcommittee Chair, 2008 – present.
Darren S. Lisse, MD, FACEP – Herndon
“For a great deal of my career I have served as the Chairman of the Emergency Department at Reston Hospital Center as well as the Operational Medical Director for the MWAA Dulles Airport Division. I believe this experience coupled with my nearly 30 years of experience in Emergency Medicine provides me with some significant insight into the issues involving our particular specialty. I hope you and the Board will consider my candidacy with a favorable light. Thank you.”
ABEM certified 1987
ACEP Member since 1982
Current Professional Position: Director of Emergency Medical Services, Reston Hospital Center, Reston, VA
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC, 1976 – 1980; Internship, U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, San Francisco, CA, 1980 – 0981.
VACEP Activities: 2009 Media Team
Bruce Lo, MD, FACEP – Norfolk
“I am honored to be running again for the VACEP Board of Directors. I have been on the Board of Directors this past year closely following the key issues surrounding our specialty, and I believe VACEP is making good progress. As our practice environment continues to change, new challenges are created in the way we practice. I believe we must continue to actively pursue these challenges to allow us to practice in the best way possible. If re-elected, I plan to continue pursuing those concerns that impact emergency physicians the most. This includes, but not limited to, reimbursement issues, medical-legal reform, continuing education, and issues concerning psychiatric patient care. On an education standpoint, I currently chair the education committee at VACEP; I am looking forward in providing high quality CME programs for our members.
As medical director of a Level 1 trauma center and partnership in a group that staffs both large and small Emergency Departments, I understand the need for collaboration and issues that emergency medicine physicians face. As a member of the Virginia State Stroke Task Force, I have worked in collaboration with our specialty colleagues to help standardize and regionalize care. I look forward to working together to pursue our common goals for the future.”
ACEP Member since 2004
ABEM Certified 2005
Current Professional Position: Staff Physician, Sentara Southside Hospital EDs (Norfolk General, Bayside, Leigh, VA Beach General, Obici, SPA, Belle Harbour), Suffolk/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA 2004-present
Education: Doctor of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 1997 - 2001; Internship & Residency, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2001-2004.
VACEP Activity: Board of Directors 2008 – present; Education Committee Chair 2009 – present.
Renee D. Reid, MD – Mechanicsville
“It has been an honor to serve as a member of the Virginia ACEP Board of Directors for the past two years. During this period, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most dedicated and passionate emergency physicians in our specialty. It has been impressive to watch members spend countless hours on issues important to Emergency Medicine. There is still much work for us to do and it is my desire to continue to work as a member of this dynamic team.
As an active faculty member of an EM training residency program, the issue of specialty representation is a common and often controversial topic of discussion. Some of this debate results from many EM physicians, especially residents, not having an appreciation for the work that ACEP does behind the scenes to promote the interests of emergency care. An essential part of our mission should be to educate EM residents about the efforts of ACEP and the subsequent benefits to our specialty, that are unmatched by any other professional organization. In fact, one of the most powerful influences of ACEP, especially in Virginia, relates to the organization’s lobbying efforts at the regional, state and national levels, which are frequently overlooked and often unnoticed.
As the number of EM physicians trained in Virginia increases, it is critical that ACEP establish and maintain a strong presence within training programs. This is important to bolster membership and support for VACEP, especially as these residents graduate and populate the workforce in our communities. It is essential that we make an investment early in their training to educate them about the efforts and value of VaCEP to them on an individual level. This should be followed by the development and implementation of creative strategies to involve them in VaCEP and grow their participation. This strategy will facilitate their understanding of and loyalty to VACEP which is crucial as they are the future leaders of our specialty.
During my term as a Board member I have attempted to encourage members of our Emergency Medicine community to embrace Virginia ACEP by consistently highlighting the good work of the organization that is being done on a daily basis. As a member of the VACEP Board of Directors, I will continue to work hard to promote the specialty of Emergency Medicine for the benefit of all of our members, with a special emphasis on those in-training. I appreciate your consideration for the position.”
ACEP Member since 2003
ABEM Certified 1996
Current Professional Position: Chair, Emergency Department Performance Improvement/Standards of Practice Committee, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA 2006-Present.
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 1987 – 1991; Emergency Medicine Residency, Georgetown & Georgetown Universities, Washington, DC 1992 – 1995; Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 1978 – 1982..
VACEP activity: Board of Directors 2007 to present; Membership Committee Chair 2008 to present.
Mark R. Sochor, MD, MS, FACEP – Charlottesville
“It is truly an honor to be nominated to serve on the Virginia ACEP Board. I have recently relocated from Michigan to the University of Virginia. Having recently relocated I will be a fresh, impartial voice on the issues which come before the Board
I have practiced in both community (rural and urban) and academic settings over the last 8 years. I have extensive experience with the National ACEP office including: Previous Chair of the Section for Trauma and Injury Prevention, Appointment to the Task Force on Emergency Department Categorization (appointed by ACEP president) and have participated in numerous committees over the last 9 years including: Pediatric, Public Health, Trauma and Injury Control and EMS
I am also the national ACEP liaison to the American Trauma Society. I feel Emergency Medicine is at a great crossroads as we provide a large amount of primary care but are classified as specialists who some perceive as expensive to the health system. Through the VACEP Board I hope to bring greater focus on how efficient and effective emergency services can be and the outstanding bargain emergency physicians are for the level of care rendered. If elected to the Board I will be an effective and efficient Board member who will represent you well.”
ACEP Member since 1997
ABEM certified 2004
Current Professional Position: Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine University of Virginia, Co-Director UVA Special Event Medical Management Group 2008 to present.
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine 1999; Emergency Medicine Residency, Detroit Receiving Hospital 2002; Trauma Research Fellowship - University of Michigan 2004.
Councillors:
Tamera C. Barnes, MD, FACEP – Midlothian
“I am honored to be nominated as a Councillor representing VACEP. I attended my first Council meeting at ACEP in Boston this year. I think the first year is a “learning year” to observe how decisions are made for our specialty based on experts from across the country. I am now ready to be a Councillor and be a more active participant. My years on the Board and currently as President-Elect of VACEP have given me an extensive knowledge of issues facing our specialty. I would like to take that local experience and represent us nationally. Thank you for your consideration.”
ACEP member since 1990
ABEM certified 1994
Current professional position: Attending Physician and Medical Director, Henrico Doctor’s Hospital – Forest Campus, Emergency Department, February 2007 – present.
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 1985 – 1989; Internship & Emergency Medicine Residency 1989 – 1993, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
VACEP Activities: President-Elect 2009 – 2010; Secretary 2008 – 2009; Board of Directors 2005 – present; Education Committee member 1999 – present, Education Committee Chair 2004 – 2009.; Councillor 2009.
Michael J. Bono, MD, FACEP – Suffolk
“I would be proud to continue serving the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians as a Councillor. I have served for the last fourteen years on the Council, and I find the process fascinating and challenging.
I have been in clinical practice with the Emergency Physicians of Tidewater for 22 years, and I have seen our profession change dramatically. Most of the changes have hurt our daily practice, but we are fighters, and the battle is far from over. Virginia ACEP has been on the front lines, always fighting to make our practice environment better. It has been my pleasure to serve on the Virginia ACEP team. We are well represented at the ACEP Council Meeting, and many of our members serve on key ACEP Committees.
I think I have a unique perspective in that I work in both academics and clinical practice. I am the President of the Emergency Physicians of Tidewater, the largest group of emergency physicians in our state. I am the Associate Residency Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and serve as a Professor of Emergency Medicine. I am the Operational Medical Director of the Nansemond Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad. These positions give me a broad view of our practice of emergency medicine.”
ACEP Member since 1986
ABEM Certified
Current Professional Position: Attending Physician, Emergency Physicians of Tidewater. President,
Emergency Physicians of Tidewater. Professor of Emergency Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School. Associate Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Education: Doctor of Medicine, 1983, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA. Flexible/
Transitional Internship, 1984, Riverside Hospital, Newport News, VA. Emergency Medicine Residency, 1986, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
VACEP Activities: Education Committee, 1987 – 1999; Education Committee, Chairman, 1991 – 1993; Board of Directors, 1989 – 1995, 1999 – 2001; Secretary, 1991 – 1993; President Elect, 1993 – 1994; President, 1994 – 1995; Editor "EPIC", 1994 – 1995; Emergency Medical Services Committee, 1994 – 1998; Legislative Committee, Chairman, 1994 – 1998; Long Range Planning Committee, 1995 – 1998; Finance Committee, 1994 – 1998; EMPAC Board of Directors, 1998-2006; EMPAC Chair 2007 (interim); EMPAC Assistant Director, 2004 – 2006; EMPAC member 1998 – present; Councillor 1994 – present.
James R. Dudley, MD, MBA, FACEP – Gloucester
“As a rural ED physician for 20 years, but also as one active in the issues of VACEP for many years, and as a physician involved in a large health system, including the issues of managing such a system in today's difficult economic environment, I feel like I am able to bring a balanced perspective to the debates of the issues facing the College.
I am comfortable advocating for our Chapter and committed to its goals. It would be a pleasure to once again represent the Chapter in the capacity of Councillor.”
ACEP Member since 1995
Current professional position: Emergency physician, Riverside Tappahannock; Chairman, Riverside Medical Group Board of Directors
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 1982 – 1985; Family Practice Residency Program, Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, VA 1985 – 1988, MBA, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 1995 – 1997.
VACEP Activities: Government Affairs Committee, 1996 – Present, Chair 2002 – 2004; Board of Directors, 1999 – Present; Treasurer 2001 – 2002; President 2003 – 2005; Alternate Councillor 2001 – 2002; Councillor 2002 – 2004; Commonwealth Care Coalition Liaison 2003 – 2007; EMPAC Board 2003; EMS Committee Chair 2000 – 2002.
Alternate Councillors:
One additional Alternate Councillor, representing VaCEP Emergency Medicine Residency programs, will be selected from UVA to attend the 2010 ACEP Council Meeting. (This position rotates between the programs.)
Pamela Bensen, MD, MS, FACEP – Buffalo Junction
“The Alternate Councillor must attend the Council meeting, be familiar with the issues, understand the process, attend reference committees to testify knowledgeably, and be able to sit in for a Councillor in an emergency. I have attended 34 of the 36 ACEP Council meetings; 17 as a councillor, 8 as an alternate, 6 as a member of the ACEP Board of Directors, and 3 as an interested member.
“If elected, I promise to prepare with the Chapter, attend the meeting, and work with the Councillors to represent VACEP and Virginia emergency physicians to the best of my ability. I would appreciate your vote”.
ACEP member since 1971
ABEM certified 1980
Current professional position: Locums for MedCentral (Urgent Care) Anderson, SC
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1971; and Emergency Medicine Internship/Residency, 1973.
VACEP Activities: Alternate Councillor 2009.
Robert E. O’Connor, MD, MPH, FACEP - Charlottesville
“My name is Robert E. O'Connor, MD, MPH and I am submitting my name as a candidate to serve as an Alternate Councillor representing VACEP at the ACEP Council. My current professional position is Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University Of Virginia, a position I have had since July of 2007. A member of the American College of Emergency Physicians since my fourth year medical school, I have served the College in a variety of capacities, including service as Counselor for the Research Section and the Delaware Chapter. As a practicing emergency physician, I am passionate about the essential role that emergency medicine plays in shoring up the health care system in the United States. With the potential for healthcare reform looming large, we are at a crucial juncture in determining policies that will impact generations to come. ACEP is the voice of many emergency physicians, and I would like to represent this voice by serving on council and safeguarding the interests of emergency medicine. ACEP Council is a crucial forum to be used to preserve our quality practice.”
ACEP member since 1983
ABEM certified 1988
Current Professional Position: Professor and Chair; Physician-in-Chief; Department of Emergency Medicine; University of Virginia Health System; Charlottesville, VA.
Education: Doctor of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 1978 – 1982; EM Residency, Medical Center of Delaware, Newark, DE 1982 – 1985.
VACEP Activities: Alternate Councillor 2009.
