2022 - 2023 Health Policy Committee Leader Spotlight

Kirstin Woody Scott, MD, MPhil, PhD, Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: University of Michigan

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To foster a space where we can collectively work in solidarity, dare greatly, and do great things to improve the system in which we care for our patients in the ED.

What is the best advice you've ever received? "Keep pressing on." -Dad

What is something people don't know about you? Thanks to the U.S. Navy, I have been airlifted from the side of a steep mountain and safely brought in as a patient to an ED trauma bay

What's the last non-textbook you read? To Repair the World (Dr. Paul Farmer)

Favorite Twitter feed: @DGlaucomflecken

What's on your playlist? All music by NEEDTOBREATHE

Oluwatosin Ayotunde MD, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA Leader is to help create new policies and ideas that will benefit the less fortunate and less represented individuals in society

Why get involved in a professional society? Getting involved in a professional society is a good way to represent the people who support you and further positive agendas

What is something people don't know about you? I speak 3 languages

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Stocks

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A football coach

What's on your playlist? Afrobeats, pop, R&B, todays hits, 90s rock, everything

Christopher Clifford, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Mount Sinai

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To keep the committee in step with happenings of Washington DC and extending the reach of the committee beyond the membership base

Why get involved in a professional society? Getting involved in EMRA is the one of the best decisions I've made in residency. The education provided at each conference and through the organizations free materials are worth it alone. Not to mention that the contacts you make can sustain you for a life time.

What is something people don't know about you? I lived in Washington DC for a year working as a lobbyist for the American Medical Association

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Cooking

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Sunglasses and black out curtains

What's the last non-textbook you read? World War C by Sanjay Gupta

What's on your playlist? An embarrassing amount of screamo music

Nicholas Melucci, MS-4, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To educate residents and medical students on how they can involve themselves in health policy to create lasting change for providers and patients alike.

What is something people don't know about you? I was born with a patent foramen ovale that closed a few months after I was born. My cardiologist worked at Children's Hospital of Michigan where I did my pediatrics rotation as a third-year medical student!

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: An architect, urban planner, or chef

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Pre-shift nap and Stumptown Coffee cold brew

What's the last non-textbook you read? A Cook's Tour- Anthony Bourdain

What's on your playlist? The Weeknd, Led Zeppelin, Lucky Daye, and The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Suzie Park, DO, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Garden City Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal is to learn, listen and stand up to be an advocate for current EM residents and physicians, and the generations after.

What is the best advice you've ever received? "Where there is comfort, there is no growth. Where there is growth, there is no comfort"

What is something people don't know about you? I was one of the Miss Korea USA Finalists during my first year of medical school in 2016!

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? snowboarding

Favorite life hack for night shifts: bring snacks for not only yourself but the nurses and techs! They will make or break your night!

What's the last non-textbook you read? "Take the Day Off"

Angela Wu, MD, MPH, Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: George Washington University Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To make EMRA and health policy exciting and engaging for members

Why get involved in a professional society? So many great reasons - mentorship for developing your career, staying up to date on local issues, and coming together to have a greater voice in advocacy

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A historian, although I'm not a very good writer so things have worked out for the best.

Favorite Twitter feed: Dr. Glaucomflecken is a classic and his EM physician character really hits home, especially since I broke my ankle rock climbing post an overnight shift (I know, I know)

Carly Rosen, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Mount Sinai Morningside-West Hospitals

Your goal as an EMRA leader: Help residents discover passions and make connections with leaders on a local and national level

What is the best advice you've ever received? Stop worrying about things you cant control

What is something people don't know about you? Im only 5 feet tall

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: wildlife vet or Park Ranger

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Peloton

Favorite Twitter feed: dog_feelings

Melanie Yates, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Health Policy Committee, 2022-2023

Program: University of Cincinnati

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I was drawn to EM because of the strong connection our specialty has with the community. During my short time as a resident, I have grown my passion for learning about the social determinants of health, how they affect our patients, and how I can advocate for change within our specialty and health care system for better outcomes. I look forward to learning from and growing with my colleagues who have a shared mission of advocating for our profession and our patients.

What is the best advice you've ever received? If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough.

What is something people don't know about you? I studied abroad in Zambia in undergrad and got to play with a baby chimp!

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Plant mom (there have been a few fatalities...)

Favorite life hack for night shifts: All the Monster and munchies (cheddar cracker/peanut butter sandwiches)

What's the last non-textbook you read? The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver