JEDI-AAEM Section Council Election

I, Kristyn Smith, DO, am nominating Valerie Pierre, MD FAAEM, for JEDI-AAEM Chair-Elect. Dr. Pierre has been an active member of JEDI-AAEM for the past several years, most recently serving as a section councilor and leader of the BIPOC committee. In this role, she has propelled the mission of JEDI-AAEM by providing support to key initiatives and projects.

Additionally, Dr. Pierre conducted a needs assessment for medical students bound for emergency medicine at multiple historically black colleges and universities and created a mentorship link for these students. She has also participated in planning and coordinating the annual JEDI social. She is a natural-born leader with a dedication to making emergency medicine a more diverse and inclusive specialty.

At her own institution, she is an educational leader within the emergency medicine ultrasound department, assistant medical director, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Her prior work with JEDI-AAEM, along with her previous leadership experience, will make her an exceptional fit for Chair-Elect.

I am currently the BIPOC lead for the JEDI section of AAEM. In this role, I have collaborated with HBCU EMIG groups to conduct a needs assessment to determine areas of improvement for the recruitment and retention of BIPOC EM residents. I have also assisted in planning our annual JEDI social fundraiser and participated in JEDI-AAEM programming, such as the HBCU medical student video series, which highlights the presentations of various common chief complaints in the ED. I also serve as one of the mentors for the University of Maryland Emergency Medicine residency DEI committee.

I would like to be Chair-Elect so that I may continue to establish this section in the national DEI space among other national EM organizations. I would also like to continue the work alongside my predecessors to promote and increase diversity in emergency medicine at every level, throughout training and being an attending. During my term, I would like to continue to recruit more members to our section, highlight the wonderful impact of diversity on our field and its positive impact on patient care, increase our mentoring efforts for diverse medical students interested in EM, and advance the mission of JEDI-AAEM throughout AAEM.

I am looking forward to continuing the great work we do in JEDI-AAEM!

I, Kristyn Smith, DO, am nominating Dr. Jordan Vaughn for JEDI-AAEM Councilor. Dr. Vaughn has been an integral part of JEDI-AAEM for the past several years. She most recently served as a Councilor for the section and thus has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the role. As a Councilor, she has propelled the mission of JEDI-AAEM by providing support to key initiatives and projects.

Additionally, Dr. Vaughn served as the lead for the Language Inclusion committee within the section. In this role, she led the development of a document to support patients when requesting language services in emergency departments (ED), and a toolkit for best practices when caring for patients requiring language services in the ED. These resources have been tangible successes that have helped further JEDI’s mission to support the delivery of equitable and inclusive care to all patients who present to the ED. Dr. Vaughn has already proven to be an asset to JEDI-AAEM as a leader and thus it would be ideal for her to continue her leadership as a Councilor.

I would like to nominate myself for this leadership position because I would love the opportunity to continue my leadership with JEDI-AAEM and grow as a leader within AAEM. I have had the pleasure to serve as the RSA Representative in prior years with JEDI-AAEM, and now as a Councilor for the past year. It is always a pleasure to serve with other passionate medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty.

I’ve learned and grown so much in my time in the section and would like to continue to create content for podcasts, Common Sense articles, and practice guides that highlight topics to advocate and educate on issues surrounding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Similar to the “Know your rights” guide, I would like to create content that educates emergency physicians on how to care for and advocate for other vulnerable populations like our incarcerated population, non-English preferred speaking patients, or LGBTQ+ patients. I would like to work and collaborate with the other JEDI-AAEM section members to create content that keeps members engaged through webinars, podcasts, and scientific assembly.

As an emergency department resident, there are days that I feel beat down. Whether it is from the pressures of a busy waiting room or the constant push to see more patients as an EM second year, some days can be tougher than others. Despite these days, there can be so much growth and joy in the emergency department and many experiences to celebrate. One of my favorite experiences is interacting with an African American patient and hearing, “You’re my doctor?”. I have heard very similar stories from my friends across institutions that identify as under-represented in medicine. I imagine how wonderful it would be for patients of all different races, ethnicities, genders, and religions to see doctors, nurses, techs, and other healthcare professionals who look like them. Shared cultural experiences allow us to further connect with our patients when we have similar backgrounds.

Unfortunately, there can be a mountain of barriers that prevent those who identify as URiM from choosing a career in healthcare, including financial burdens, misinformation, and a lack of mentorship. As a JEDI-AAEM RSA Representative, I will continue to build on previous efforts such as contributing to the webinar series, discussing and addressing barriers to diversity recruitment, and promoting mentorship opportunities. In addition, I want to work on diversifying medical education lectures and increase JEDI-AAEM presence across various residency programs.

Hi, there! I’m Mel Ebeling (they/them), an MS3 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. As a trans/nonbinary person from a rather homogenous state, I understand the criticality of fostering inclusive environments both in and outside of medicine where individuals can thrive and relish in a sense of belonging. Outside of AAEM, I have experience serving on numerous DEI-focused committees and organizations within my medical school. To discuss a couple: as the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Advisory Board, I work to influence curriculum and administrative policy to improve DEI education and the general student experience; and as the sole student representative on the Strategic Planning Committee, I am currently working with faculty and staff to set long-term DEI goals on the institutional/hospital level (such as goals relating to physician recruitment and retention).

Within JEDI-AAEM, I have had the great pleasure of collaborating on a variety of projects over the past year just as a general member of the section. The tangible results have included an LGBTQ+ Etiquette Flyer, three Common Sense articles, an op-ed published by KevinMD.com, a social media post for National Coming Out Day, and the creation of pronoun badges for Scientific Assembly. After this productive year, I would be honored and excited to serve as a member of the section leadership as the RSA Representative. In this role, I would be able to bring perspective, ideas, and concerns from the RSA while at the same time continuing my efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within emergency medicine with a special interest in LGBTQ+ populations and those with disabilities.

My name is Jevaughn Henry, a rising fourth-year student at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. As my institution’s former diversity chair, my goal in becoming a JEDI RSA representative is to enhance our community’s cohesion by improving member engagement and strengthening connections across institutions and with AAEM. I plan to utilize effective and creative communication strategies while also organizing meaningful events (webinars and conferences, for example) to foster a supportive network among our members.

An additional key focus of my candidacy is to expand mentorship and educational opportunities, especially for minorities, osteopathic students, and international medical graduates. By helping to establish targeted programs and resources for students in their early stages of training, I aim to build a foundation of support that nurtures confidence and competence among future medical professionals entering the field of emergency medicine.

My commitment is to create an inclusive, dynamic environment that promotes collaboration and shared growth within our medical community. I am eager to contribute my ideas to serve and uplift our collective mission.

I, Valerie Pierre, MD FAAEM, am nominating Hanna Hussein for the position of JEDI RSA Representative because she is very active in the DEI space within the University of Maryland Emergency Medicine. Also, she co-founded the Muslim Women in Emergency Medicine. Through this organization, she has brought together underrepresented religious minorities and created a space for programming and collaboration to advance the voice of this group within EM. I believe that she will be a great addition to the leadership of JEDI within AAEM, as she will continue to serve as a strong advocate for DEI on the national level.

As an emergency medicine resident, I have witnessed firsthand the power of diversity to enrich our field and improve patient care. Our field draws strength from a multiplicity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences – this diversity enables us to better serve our diverse patient populations. That’s why I’m excited to be considered for RSA representative for JEDI-AAEM. This section’s mission to promote diversity and support underrepresented minorities resonates deeply with me.

When I launched Muslim Women in Emergency Medicine, I saw the need for community, mentorship, and leadership opportunities among minority groups in emergency medicine. Through my work, I connected physicians across the globe to create a community that is dedicated to empowering and mentoring Muslim women. This experience equipped me to take on a greater leadership role, actively mentoring underrepresented minorities at all career stages.

As a candidate for AAEM/RSA representative, I’m dedicated to advancing JEDI-AAEM’s mission of promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the field of emergency medicine. If elected, I will leverage my passion, experience, and proven leadership to help JEDI-AAEM empower minorities to have an even greater impact. Together, we can shape an emergency medicine community that celebrates diversity and better serves our wonderfully diverse patient populations. The future is bright when we embrace the diversity that strengthens us. I hope to have your support and your vote!

I am excited to put forth my nomination for the AAEM-JEDI RSA Representative position. My journey as a member of the JEDI community over the past year has been incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to continue advocating for the celebration of diversity and equity in emergency medicine.

I currently serve in the JEDI-LGBTQ+ workgroup, and it has been extremely rewarding. In this role, I authored an op-ed in Common Sense urging for the addition of LGBTQ+ individuals to the underrepresented in medicine definition. Additionally, I have contributed to efforts that increase queer visibility, such as National Coming Out Day. In my capacity at my medical school, I have served on the DEI taskforce, collaborating with faculty to implement inclusive curriculum changes, such as including social determinants of health in each didactic lecture. I was honored to be able to present these ideas on inclusive MedEd at an AAEM webinar. I am currently researching gaps in our medical education in regards to LGBTQ+ health.

As I embark on my first year of residency this July, I am eager to continue advocating for DEI in emergency medicine and would be honored to serve as an RSA representative. I hope to increase student involvement, foster more community events, and advocate for national healthcare changes. I am confident that I can bring valuable perspectives, innovative ideas, and unwavering dedication to this leadership role.

My name is Kelsey Newbold (she/her/hers), and I am a 4th-year student at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. I proudly identify as LGBTQ+ and look forward to representing my community as one of the ~3% of physicians that identify as LGBTQ+. My experience includes serving as the Co-President of my school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance organization, where I organized various educational events on LGBTQ+ healthcare, social events, and community service events including fundraisers benefiting local LGBTQ+ nonprofits. In addition, I serve as a committee member on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Curriculum Task Force, where I work with my school’s administration on curriculum changes to increase representation of underrepresented patient populations, and am currently working on a research project focusing on the impacts of LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare in medical school curriculum. Additionally, I currently serve on AAEM-JEDI’s LGBTQ+ workgroup that aims to increase representation, advocacy, allyship, and education for the LGBTQ+ community.

I am applying for this position because I have a passion for advocacy, particularly in the realm of LGBTQ+ healthcare, and hope that I can bring my experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the JEDI committee. I enjoy working as a team with other like-minded individuals from around the country to make meaningful change within our profession. If elected, I hope to use the platform to help increase and improve visibility, representation, inclusion, and community for LGBTQ+ physicians, residents, and students within EM. I also hope to organize events such as lecture series, promote mentorship opportunities, and use creative outlets to foster increased knowledge, inclusion, and allyship.

I am a current PGY-1 at the University of Chicago. Since my third year as a medical student, the JEDI section has provided me with an invaluable community and numerous involvement opportunities as an underrepresented medical minority. With each JEDI initiative, the pillars of diversity and inclusivity are tied in with education, and safe spaces are created not only to have informative discussions but also to create change within our field of emergency medicine with outcomes focused on equity and justice. From topics that focus on our interactions at the bedside to addressing more significant systemic issues affecting our workforce, JEDI has always been willing to have hard conversations using an evidence-based approach and creating actionable items.

I am running as the RSA representative for this section to continue facilitating forums to empower trainees to impact our larger emergency medicine community positively. Having participated in various JEDI workshops and taken an active role as a bystander simulation logistics team member for the last two years, I understand what is required from AAEM/RSA as an organization to ensure this section continues to uphold its powerful mission. If elected as a representative, I plan to liaise and bring creative ideas to execute the JEDI and AAEM visions through interactive and philanthropic opportunities. My experience as an AAEM IMG webinar series leader has also provided me with the framework to run successful and informative webinars.

It would be an honor to be an RSA representative for JEDI-AAEM. With firsthand experience of being a minority in medicine and navigating its unique challenges, this position would allow me to impact my community and inspire great change. As a first-generation immigrant and a current US-IMG, the word “underrepresented” is an understatement. To be in a position of advocacy for underrepresented students is very personal and one of my greatest passions. Throughout my own journey, I longed for inclusion and mentorship. As I navigated a system not friendly to my financial hardships, it felt nearly impossible that someone like me could even make it into medical school, let alone complete her last semester.

If selected, I would first enhance pipeline program methodologies that could help streamline black/brown medical students early, by creating mentorship programs personalized to each member. Taking into account specifics that ensure a substantial relationship of purpose and impact. This creates an intimate connection from day one with a mentorship relationship that will stick throughout the years of medical school and residency. Another aspect if selected for the position, would be to increase the scholarships given to students in this demographic as statistically financial hardship is a common denominator for underrepresented groups in medicine. Today, emergency medicine struggles to diversify the frontlines, and organizations like AAEM can bridge that gap. As a current AAEM member and co-host of the IMG webinar series, it would be a pleasure to be involved with topics of interest like diversity and inclusion, and continue to recruit future AAEM members throughout my involvement. With my experience rooted in various organizations, and my focus on community efforts that aid in teaching basic life skills in under-resourced communities. I am eager to learn and grow amongst the great leaders of AAEM. Thank you.