Oluwatosin Ayotunde, MD, Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to help promote education on relevant topics in the world of emergency medicine today and prepare residents for the future of emergency medicine

What is the best advice you've ever received? You can only fail when you give up trying

What is something people don't know about you? I was a division one track and field athlete

What's the last non-textbook you read? The autobiography of Malcolm X

What's on your playlist? Kendrick Lamar, John Mayer, Frank Ocean, Afrobeats

Melanie Yates MD, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: University of Cincinnati

Your goal as an EMRA leader: One of the best things that EMRA did for me, and that I hope to do as an EMRA leader, is help support and strengthen the next leaders of emergency medicine in whatever way they need. Leadership within the EMRA committees help emergency medicine trainees learn about the many different aspects of EM, grow their passions, and learn how to become leaders for the next generation. EMRA and its leadership bring easy access to the new technology in ultrasound, the most pressing issues in health policy, and the different ways that trainees of all backgrounds can help be more inclusive and increase equity in our field.

Why get involved in a professional society? I have a strong interest in advocacy and health policy, and professional societies have incredible resources and networking abilities. EMRA is an extremely strong advocate for emergency medicine residents and the profession as a whole, so getting involved with EMRA in particular was no a no brainer.

What is something people don't know about you? I was born exactly at midnight

Fathima Haseefa, MS-4, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To empower medical students and residents to advocate for our patients, our colleagues, and our specialty and help shape the future of emergency medicine

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: An equestrian coach

What's the last non-textbook you read? Better by Atul Gawande

Nicholas Melucci, MPH, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To educate and inspire residents and medical students to involve themselves in health policy both within emergency medicine and beyond.

Why get involved in a professional society? After serving as a Vice Chair on the Health Policy Committee last year, I realized how valuable it was to be involved with EMRA. I met and networked with many people from across the country. EMRA provides a fantastic platform for collaboration to educate the EM physicians of the future.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A golf course architect or a chef

Jamie Aron, MD, MS, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: HAEMR (Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency)

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To be an advocate for our patients and to be an advocate for those of us who serve them everyday.

What is the best advice you've ever received? Someone once quoted Churchill to me and the sentiment stuck. - "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

What is something people don't know about you? I competed in Western-style horse riding as a teenager

Favorite life hack for night shifts: 3 am hot chocolate from Coffee Central

James Blum, MD, MPP, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: Boston Medical Center

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To empower residents to understand, design, and influence health policy so we can improve our healthcare system and the care we provide in the emergency department.

Why get involved in a professional society? To help advocate for other residents and our patients on a broader scale.

What is something people don't know about you? I really enjoy cooking!

What is your favorite hack for night shifts? Post-shift breakfast with the team

What's the last non-textbook you read? Liberation Day - George Saunders

What's on your playlist? 2000s Mix, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift

Naeha haridasa, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: University of Chicago

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I am passionate about social medicine and hope to bring the work of EMRA and our health policy committee more accessible to trainees.

What is the best advice you've ever received? Choose to surround yourself with people who move with intention, and you will also do the same.

What is something people don't know about you? I love to write poetry and fictional short stories.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A writer or novelist!

Phillip Groden, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2023-2024

Program: Mount Sinai Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To foster connections with EM residents interested in health policy and create opportunities for meaningful engagement.

What is the best advice you've ever received? Cinnamon goes great in coffee.

What is something people don't know about you? I grew up on a farm older than the United States.

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Stay up late the night before playing video games to ease the transition. And post-shift bagels.

What's the last non-textbook you read? The Flamethrowers