Vote in the GSACEP Elections
 
PRESIDENT ELECT and COUNCILLOR STATEMENTS 2008
 
For President Elect
 
Maj Julio Lairet, USAF, MC
I want to begin by thanking the GSACEP Board nominating committee for inviting me to run for president elect.  I think it’s very important that you know about me.  My military career began in 1989 when I enlisted in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. During my eight years within the OKANG I served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Technician flying primarily in C-130s.  During this time, I was activated and deployed for Operation Desert Storm.  At the same time, within the civilian community, I worked as a paramedic while completing my undergraduate studies.  These experiences have been key to guiding my future both as an emergency medicine physician and as an Air Force officer. 

On April 19, 1995, I was one of the many emergency care workers who responded to the explosion of the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City.  My duties during the event were initially focused on the southwest triage site. I was later relocated to the south facet of the building where I was responsible for guiding the extraction of victims.  For me, this was one of those life changing events.  Since that day, I  focused many of my efforts on studying and learning the world of Disaster Medicine.  I have written four chapters in Disaster Medicine textbooks and I am currently finishing the first prospective triage study performed in the pre-hospital arena.  

I first entered active duty after completing medical school in Oklahoma in 2001. I completed my internship at Andrews AFB in Maryland. From there, I moved to San Antonio to complete my emergency medicine residency in 2005.  That summer I moved to Indianapolis to perform an Emergency Medical Services Fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine after which I moved back to San Antonio to serve as a faculty at Wilford Hall Medical Center. I have a strong interest in research, particularly in the pre-hospital arena.    We have been very fortunate at GSACEP over the last decade; we have grown to a chapter with 850 members.  This is so important because it gives us a larger voice within National ACEP.  Within our Chapter, I was elected resident representative to the Board and served for two year.  I currently co-chair JSS for the second year in a row.  Within national ACEP, I have represented our chapter as an alternate councillor and filled in a councillor spot at this year’s Council Meeting in Seattle.  I have also had the honor to serve for the last two years on the Emergency Medical Services Committee of ACEP.  

My focus for us in the future is to continue to grow the chapter by reaching out to military and other federal government workers, and to find new, innovative ways to help all members.  

I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from the chapter and would be honored to serve you. 
 
For Councillor (There are three openings. Please vote for three of these six nominees)
 
COL Marco Coppola, DO, Texas Army National Guard
The success of a chapter is directly related to the efforts of its members.  I have seen Government Services evolve from a small struggling chapter to one of distinction and respect.  We have grown in leaps and bounds and I am proud to be a member.  With the dramatic increase in members, our chapter now has a commanding presence on the council floor.     

I have been an active member of GSACEP since 1989, have served twice as your President, and have been an outspoken councillor for the last 13 years.  I have served on several ACEP committees including three Reference Committees, Academic Affairs, and Membership.  I presently serve on the national level on the Education Committee and have already been selected to serve on the Tellers Committee and the Council Awards Committee for the 2008 Council Meeting. During my tenure as Chair of our Membership Committee, we have seen the largest increase in membership in our history.   

At the 2005 Council Meeting, I ran for election to the Office of Vice-Speaker of the Council from the floor.  Running from the floor is a risky thing; few have won elections that way.  I ran against two other individuals and lost by only less than 1%.     

As a weekend warrior/National Guardsman, I not only keep abreast of the challenges facing military emergency physicians but also the challenges facing emergency medicine in general.  I am also a member of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians which has helped pave the way for tort reform, malpractice reform, and higher reimbursement rates.  

Our chapter must continue to have strong voices on the council floor.  I have been one of those voices and my experience will continue to be a true benefit to GSACEP. My goal is to serve our chapter and the college as a member of the Board of Directors or as a Council Officer.  I want GSACEP to be a powerful voice nationally, and I believe that we are being heard by ACEP as never before. Please help me to continue to move us forward. 
 
CDR James Hancock, MC, USN
I am currently serving as the department head of emergency medicine at Camp Lejuene Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, North Carolina. My educational background includes Navy Nuclear Power School as an enlisted sailor, a BS in engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Doctorate of Medicine from USUHS. From there I completed flight surgery and a residency in Family Medicine in Pensacola, Fl. I spent the next ten years in various operational and executive medicine billets with multiple joint operations with the Army and Air Force.  I have moonlighted in emergency departments since graduation from medical school, but my epiphany to emergency medicine came after a tour as the CTF-76 surgeon where I served as JTF surgeon multiple times and worked closely with the best and brightest of military medicine who had one thing in common, formal training in emergency medicine. It was during residency at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center that I first became involved in GACEP. I served as our local representative and worked to increase the involvement of medical students, GMO’s and residents within our chapter.     

I am honored to be considered as a councillor for our chapter. I hope to bring a unique perspective with my experience. My goal is to continue to open avenues to deliver information on advances in our field by tapping into the tri-service attributes of our membership and continuing to promote their active involvement in all aspects of the organization. As I see pressing issues emerging on the military emergency medicine horizon, I am committed to assuring that all of our members have an opportunity to be informed and educated about these issues and an open line of communication to voice opinions. I am committed to assuring that members have access to information about the areas of specialty/experiences of other members and continue to encourage the development of a reference database for colleagues to seek out and consult with other experts in the organization. If elected to the board, I will work to ensure that our organization continues to expand its leadership role in military medicine.
 
LTC John McManus, MC, USA
For the past 20 years, I have advocated for providing exemplary and comprehensive medical care, research and education for our students, residents, peers, supervisors and patients. If afforded this opportunity, I believe that I possess the unique and necessary administrative, educational, research, medical and military experience necessary to excel as a future medical corps leader. From mentoring medics and colleagues as an enlisted medic in 1986 to now serving as a leader in both the civilian and military medical arenas, I have had the opportunity to understand the dedication, effort and obligations, as well as the people skills, one must posses to provide a supportive and challenging healthcare delivery and educational environment for our future clinicians and leaders in our armed forces. These efforts to “prove” myself as a future leader in military medicine are solidified in the fact that I have served GSACEP for the past 10 years and as a leader on the board for the past five years.    

While my record displays some of the goals I’ve already accomplished, it does not represent a total “picture” of my potential as a continued leader in GSACEP. My main commitment to the success of the future GSACEP would originate with my solid dedication and my strong ethical and moral background as an educator, mentor, healer and leader. Previous evaluators have characterized me as “energetic,” “dedicated,” “efficient,” “adaptable” and “versatile.” Utilizing these attributes, I will continue to fully integrate our three emergency medicine services to become the premiere emergency medical organization in the entire military system. If afforded the opportunity, I would continue to strive to create diverse avenues for our future clinician’s medical education and scholarly endeavors. I would also design and initiate innovative programs to foster healing, learning, and research for our members while maintaining national presence. 
   
In support of the above goals and aspirations, I am also committed to acquiring requisite resources and to forming and maintaining alliances with services, departments, hospitals and other local and national organizations to assure the best possible heath care learning and healing environment. In fact, I have already begun to lay the foundation for this endeavor by creating the first military emergency medicine fellowship in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) which is integrating local and national EMS education and healthcare delivery. Furthermore, I currently serve on several local, state and national emergency medical committees and task forces as well as serve as a national officer in several emergency medical organizations. I will also continue to maintain the high military, academic and professional standards set by our leadership. Having attended many educational courses dedicated to the leadership, teaching, research and education and participating directly in national healthcare policy, I am confident that I have a solid fund of knowledge and background. Finally, I am well versed on the many regulatory bodies and policies that are designed to ensure a safe and supportive environment for emergency medical care, education and research.            

Leading and investing in the successful integration of our three emergency medicine services assures that current attendings, residents and fellows as well as the allied health care professionals are prepared for both the military and America’s evolving health care needs. I have a firm understanding of the delivery and expectation for the current civilian and military emergency medical needs as well as the challenges that are both present and looming. I would like to thank the membership in advance for their consideration of my application for councillor position in the GSACEP chapter.
 
Col Lee Payne, USAF, MC
I ask for your support for me as one of your GSACEP councillors.  Our chapter membership has grown significantly in recent years, and last year we earned an additional councillor position.  The GSACEP board appointed me to serve as that councillor for one year until the position could be voted on by the membership.  Your vote would enable me to continue to serve you.   

I began my career over 20 years ago teaching emergency medicine at two of our military training programs—Madigan and Wilford Hall.  I spent five years as a faculty member at Madigan where I won the F.M Burkle Teaching Award in 1990.  During my three years at Wilford Hall Medical Center, I served as the Chief, Division of Acute Care, which included oversight of the emergency department and the residency training program.  During that period, I was an active member of GSACEP serving on the board in 1994-95 as well as being an alternate councillor.   

As often happens in the military, my career has taken me out of the emergency department into a variety of leadership roles.  I served in several command positions including two tours as a hospital commander.  As the Command Surgeon for USCENTAF, my previous assignment, I served as medical advisor to the Commander, USCENTAF.  I had medical oversight responsibilities for all the Air Force medical assets in the Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR).  I have seen the impact of Air Force Emergency Physicians throughout our AOR where their professional expertise is utilized in Critical Care Transport teams in the ED or ICU’s at the Air Force Theater Hospital. They are highly sought after and respected clinicians!  Presently, I have the privilege of commanding David Grant Medical Center at Travis AFB, the Air Force’s second largest medical center.  I also recently passed my ABEM recertification and have begun practicing again in the ED here at Travis.

While serving as one of your councillors this year, I was on the council floor as Col Linda Lawrence assumed her ACEP presidency—a personal milestone for her, our chapter, and military emergency medicine! I also helped coordinate two of the sponsors for the wonderful reception that Bernie arranged on a boat on Puget Sound during SA in Seattle. I have contributed to the EPIC this year and am scheduled to speak at the ED Directors Course and JSS this spring in San Antonio.  Additionally, I have had the privilege of serving on ACEP’s Quality and Performance Committee where we are evaluating the many performance measurements that are facing emergency medicine today.    

I believe that my past experience as an academic emergency physician, service in the chapter, combined with my years of experience as a leader in military medicine, make me uniquely qualified to serve as your ACEP councillor.  As your councillor, I will make certain the challenges and sacrifices of military emergency physicians gain visibility with ACEP’s leadership and that the military’s contributions to the specialty continue to be recognized.  I thank you for your consideration and look forward to working with you
 
LCDR R. Thomas VanHook, MC, USN
I am honored to be nominated for GSACEP councillor.  I think can make a real difference for federal emergency departments and their patients. I offer the non-traditional qualifications of a “young” academic staff with a nineteen-year military career, including two years as a General Medical Officer with the US Marine Corps infantry battalion participating in the initial invasion of Afghanistan, and several years as a submarine line officer with a strong nuclear-engineering background. I have an unusual hobby of closely watching government, and a quirk for finding bureaucracy as a fascinating and navigable system rather than an exasperating mess. Frankly, I’ve always known I was unusual, but never realized I could make any significant difference until mentors recently offered me priceless perspective on our health crisis and asked for my opinion.  Instead of the expected browbeating for pointing out a naked emperor, I found myself encouraged with labels like “insightful”, “resourceful”, and “unconventional”. Some of these mentors had asked me to serve as your alternate councillor, and now have now asked me to run for councillor.  I’m deeply honored, and more than willing to offer my talents and energy in this or any capacity.  

As one of your councillors, I feel I can well represent the interests of federal emergency physicians and our patients before the ACEP Council.  As ACEP’s policy-making body, the Council needs GSACEP input.  Not only does GSACEP provide a unique and valued perspective on both the good and not-so-good aspects of a large, integrated health care system, but GSACEP also frequently provides much needed education on the unintended consequences of otherwise well-meaning policy changes.  As an alternate councillor, my knack for quickly recognizing those consequences was quite useful, and it would help even more as a councillor. Additionally, I am no different than most federal emergency physicians in that I am very involved in processes beyond my emergency department.  That insight into our non-emergency colleagues, coupled with my years of representing my state medical society at the American Medical Association, has also been useful in understanding implications of ACEP policy on “the big picture”. Our nation’s health care “system” is clearly broken and only getting worse. As emergency physicians—where we not only work on the front lines every day, but also excel and revel in solving critical problems in the midst of chaos—ACEP can and should take the lead in fixing it. Perhaps that is the primary mission of the ACEP Council, and I offer my talents and energy to represent GSACEP in that body.  

ACEP Activities:  Board of Directors, Virginia Chapter, 2007-Present.  Alternate Councillor, Government Services Chapter, 2007.  AMA Activities: Regional Chair, Resident Fellow Section, 2005-2006.  Foundation Leadership Award, 2006.  Medical Society of Virginia Activities:  Governing Council Member, Resident and Fellow Section:  2005 – 2006.  Delegate to AMA Resident Fellow Section:  2005-2006.  Delegate to AMA Young Physicians Section: 2006-Present.

CPT Rachel Villacorta Lyew, MC, USA
I am seeking your support in my candidacy for GSACEP councillor. For the next two years, I hope to be your voice and act on your behalf in the development of GSACEP policy and programs.  I have been active in GSACEP, ACEP, and EMRA as a recipient of the Consultant’s Challenge Scholarship for the Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington DC and as a Regional Representative for EMRA.  These opportunities have afforded me a foundation to understand the philosophies and operations of these organizations.  But, I am just getting started and am enthusiastic about making some changes and creating an impact!      

This is an exciting time in my career as I graduate from residency into any number of positions available for emergency physicians in the U.S. Army, including operational medicine.  Many members are in a similar position or were in the same position recently and can relate to these changes.  The transition to practice seems like an ideal time to capture the energy of members and capitalize on the benefits of GSACEP. As a councillor, I will provide a unique perspective and connection between the residents, recent grads, and the more established leadership of GSACEP.  I would like to build upon the mentoring program of GSACEP and incorporate more residents and medical students with the general membership of GSACEP.   Practicing emergency medicine within the military encompasses a distinctive combination of customs and policies.  Involvement in GSACEP creates a forum to educate, share experiences, exchange ideas, and foster connections amongst members to generate improvement on such things as deployment experiences, hospital administration, and national policy development with ACEP.  With your support and your feedback, I’d like to expend my efforts and energies to developing membership benefits and avenues involvement in GSACEP to continue the growth and power of our organization within our specialty of emergency medicine. 

I look forward to serving with, and for, you in the coming years.

Vote in the GSACEP Elections

RESIDENT CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 2008

CPT Cameron Olderog, MC, USA
The GSACEP resident representative ensures that issues important to residents are addressed by the larger GSACEP community, and that residents have a voice when policies affecting us all are made. Residents have many issues that need to be addressed, ranging from the time pressures we experience throughout residency to planning our careers post-residency. I would work to ensure that our time is being utilized wisely, that we are receiving the best possible training. I would also help to identify opportunities that will better prepare us for our medical careers post-residency.  Not all military residents will pursue military careers through to retirement, but we will all take care of soldiers, sailors, and airman in some capacity and we must be trained for the uniqueness of this population.  They deserve the best care the military can offer, and we must insist on exceptional training in order to provide an exceptional standard of care. Looking beyond our training, some of us may also be interested in pursuing fellowship opportunities.  It is important that we are aware of the opportunities that exist and understand the policies and processes that make the government wheels turn.  I will also work to increase our opportunities to develop mentoring relationships with physicians who hold positions to which we aspire.  To achieve these goals, I will work to develop a forum to disseminate information to interested parties.  In short, my primary goal will be to serve as an advocate for the candidate members of GSACEP, to serve our interests now and prepare us for our medical careers in the future—wherever they may be.

CPT Reis Brandon Ritz, MC, USA
Despite the unfortunate political turmoil and current state of United States military affairs, one could not be entering a more opportune time to train in emergency medicine.  War, while tragic and devastating, has always afforded modern medicine new strategies in trauma and resuscitation and in emergency medicine. The current conflict is no exception.   Advances in medicine, techniques, and supplies inevitably and ironically stem from the sacrifice of our men and women overseas as well as those enemy and civilian causalities of war.  Meanwhile, back home, the dependents and retirees of our brave soldiers succumb to a myriad of emergent and urgent diseases and accidents every day.  In this environment, as an Army emergency medicine physician, I am excited to train and develop my skills.

Service as a Government Services resident representative is an invaluable opportunity to become more involved in the emergency medicine community, and serve both my military and civilian peers.  Should I be elected, I would cherish the responsibility and fantastic opportunity of voicing the collective opinions of my military brethren and likewise serving as a conduit between the College and my colleagues.  Simultaneously, while serving admirably as a liaison for my peers, I will have the chance to sharpen those intermediary skills necessary for a career in clinical and academic emergency medicine.  Should I be afforded such a position, I would look upon my office as a blessing and opportunity, and would be humbled to serve.  I feel that my motivation and desire to succeed and serve as a career military physician should benefit the chapter as a whole.  Ideally, being appointed the GSACEP representative would be a crucial and exciting first step to becoming intimately involved in  ACEP and in the community of my military physician peers.
    
In a community of many well-deserving, eager, bright and talented young physicians, I am simply enthralled to be even considered as the Government Services resident representative.  My dedication to a military career, along with my love for medical education, research, and academics all contribute to my excitement over the possibility.  Whether your  GSACEP rep, or not, I look forward to a future wherein I can be involved in the emergency medicine community as a proud member of the Armed Forces, and as a liaison between my colleagues.

LCDR John Ringquist, MC, USN
Thank you for considering me for Resident Representative.  I am an EM-2 at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, and have been a GSACEP member since 2004.  I have attended three Joint Service Symposium conferences over the past four years, and have a good understanding and appreciation of the role and importance of our chapter within ACEP.  We represent military EM interests within the larger EM community, and also serve as an important resource and representation for our military EM colleagues.  My five years of operational experience as a GMO afforded me the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the unique role filled by military physicians. This experience will serve as an asset when addressing issues unique to the military physician as well as participation with other GSACEP leaders.
     
As Resident Representative, I will take advantage of opportunities to increase joint service resident participation.  Military EM residency programs have a great reputation for resident research, and the research competition at JSS has always been strong.  I plan to contact all of our residency programs, and encourage submission of posters from (and resident participation by) each of our military EM residencies.  I would like to encourage maximum participation in our JSS from all services, both for the conference content as much as for the opportunity for us to meet one another.  Each of our residencies has its own strengths, and we all stand to benefit by exchanging ideas.  With the brisk pace of deployments and the increasing frequency of PROFIS / IA augmentees between different services, better familiarity with other services during residency is increasingly important.
    
I also envision that the Resident’s column in The EPIC will continue to grow and expand.  We will have more leadership and development articles of interest to residents of all services, covering topics including both deployed patient care as well as non-deployed leadership roles in the ED and MTF.  EM residents put enormous time and effort into educating one another, and I will include concise versions of the best resident lectures we’ve heard at our various programs.  Our residents have the opportunity to become subject matter experts in their areas of clinical research (for example, hemostasis of penetrating proximal extremity injury), and they will be invited to provide concise review articles of the state of the art in EM.
   
Most importantly, I have longstanding pride in GSACEP membership and community, and will bring commitment and devotion to the position.

Vote in the GSACEP Elections