MOIRA SMITH, MD — rising star

Moira Smith, MD was named the Catherine Agustiady-Becker Rising Star for her rapid ascent as an educator, researcher, and informatics leader at the University of Virginia. From her beginnings as an undergraduate scribe to her current role as junior faculty at the UVA, she has demonstrated consistent excellence and commitment to growth.

As a resident, Dr. Smith earned multiple teaching honors and further strengthened her skills through the ACEP/CORD Resident Teaching Fellowship. She has contributed to national education and research committees, built a strong publication record, and completed a two-year informatics fellowship. Today, she plays a key role in developing real-time clinical pathways and advancing data-driven care.

In nominating Dr. Smith, UVA emergency medicine professor James Moak, MD spoke of her roots in Danville, Va., where her father is a family and emergency physician. “Moira was the kind of resident you knew would be able to disarm even the grumpiest patient with her calm demeanor and genuine kindness,” Moak said. “She always seems to wear a smile, and finds the positive in everyone and every situation. When she won an award at her residency graduation, my wife got a lump in her throat just hearing Moira’s heartfelt, impromptu acceptance speech.”

William “Bill” Brady, MD — Educator of the Year

Dr. William “Bill” Brady is the inaugural recipient of the Educator of the Year award for his extraordinary impact on emergency medicine education over three decades at the University of Virginia.

An internationally recognized expert in electrocardiogram interpretation, Dr. Brady has delivered hundreds of lectures worldwide, authored more than 300 publications, and written widely used textbooks. His work has helped establish emergency physicians as trusted authorities in cardiac care, especially when such decisions must be made (like at 3 a.m.) without a cardiologist’s input.

“As an educator, Dr. Brady has a proven track record for adaptation. He is a superb bedside teacher who is adept at finding the teaching moment in an atmosphere of rapidly shifting priorities in the ED.,” writes James Moak, MD, a UVA professor of emergency medicine who nominated Dr. Brady. “He has also taken his teaching beyond the hospital to the pre-hospital arena where he has trained paramedics for many years.” Dr. Brady is also a longstanding medical director for Albemarle County Fire and Rescue and has trained thousands of first responders who provide critical emergency care on scene.

Elena Garrett, MD — MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Elena Garrett, MD was recognized for her outstanding leadership as Chief of Emergency Medicine at Riverside Health System and Medical Director at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.

Since assuming her role, Dr. Garrett has led major initiatives focused on quality, patient experience, operational efficiency, and provider well-being. These efforts have resulted in improved CMS and Leapfrog quality ratings, increased market share, high patient satisfaction, and strong provider retention.

Since taking over as medical director, nominator and Riverside colleague Todd Parker, MD writes, “she initiated and implemented numerous quality, patient satisfaction, throughput, and provider satisfaction initiatives, resulting in numerous awards for Riverside and contributing greatly to significant increases in Riverside CMS and Leapfrog Quality Ratings.” That helped increase regional market share, create state-leading patient satisfaction scores, and industry-high provider satisfaction and retention rankings.

Kevin Knoop, MD, FACEP — Forest McCoig career achievement award

Kevin Knoop, MD was honored for his lifetime contributions to emergency medicine through military service, academic leadership, scholarship, and advocacy.

He has served as residency program director and director of medical education at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and later returned from retirement to become the founding residency director at Riverside Health, building one of the state’s top programs. His military career culminated as Commanding Officer of the USNS Comfort.

Dr. Knoop is the creator and Editor-in-Chief of the Atlas of Emergency Medicine and a highly sought-after international lecturer. A longtime supporter of ACEP and VACEP, he has championed resident involvement in organized medicine and professional development throughout his career. Dr. Knoop has been a strong supporter of ACEP/VACEP for decades. He has been an invited guest lecturer at VACEP numerous times, and is frequently the most cited presenter when asked in surveys, “Who would you like to see present again next year?”

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

The Educator of the Year Award honors a physician who has demonstrated sustained excellence in the education of emergency medicine learners across the continuum of training. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and educational leadership, and who have made significant contributions to advancing emergency medicine education at the institutional, statewide, or national level. This award seeks to:

• Celebrate outstanding educators who inspire learners through excellence in teaching and mentorship.

• Acknowledge innovation and scholarship that enhances emergency medicine education. 

• Promote a culture of educational leadership and collaboration across institutions in the state

Nominees must be an active VACEP member (senior residents and fellows are eligible), and include a letter of recommendation and CV (if available) of the nominee.