2022 - 2023 Pediatric EM Committee Leader Spotlight

Michelle S Davis, MD, MA, Chair of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program:Maimonides Medical Center

Your goal as an EMRA leader: Caring for sick pediatric patients is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for emergency physicians. My goal for the EMRA Pediatric Emergency Medicine Committee is to advance enthusiasm, knowledge, and professional opportunities in pediatric emergency medicine for our community of emergency medicine trainees.

What is something people don't know about you? : When I was an undergrad, I used to DJ at my college radio station

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? COVID baking!

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Keep moving and stay on my feet as much as possible

Richmond M. Castillo, MD, MA, MS, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program:Northwestern University

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To collaborate with present and future PEM leaders, inspire EM-trained residents to pursue a career in PEM, and improve access to PEM education tools

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: I would be a professional food critic

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? obtaining 10,000 steps a day either outside or indoors on a treadmill. (with a mask!)

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Get a full night sleep the night before, nap before shift, tea, coffee, tea, coffee, tea, coffee, etc.

Rebecca Leff, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program:Mayo Clinic

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to provide a community for those who love pediatric emergency medicine to come together to learn and help each other grow, whether that means collaborating on projects, finding mentorship, or creating virtual spaces to meet and learn together.

Why get involved in a professional society? EM physicians can diagnose a child with measles in one room and manage an adult stroke patient next door. But in order to help fully reach our potential as the next generation of EM physicians to improve acute-care internationally, we need training to learn how to take these skills to the global stage, whether that means participating in PEM-simulations so we can replicate them for those who don't have access, research skills, career guidance, or a place to tune in to learn more about our passions. Most importantly, we need community: a place to discuss our struggles with others who have overcome them and meet mentors who can help us take our careers to the next phase. Building off prior roles in health and human rights leadership, I want to be an EMRA leader because I want to facilitate training and foster community for trainees in our specialty, so that as a community we can fulfill our role in improving acute-care on the global stage, with all the unique talents our diverse community holds.

What is the best advice you've ever received? Listen intently. Don’t just hear the words and syllables—listen so you can understand and relate. Listen to learn.

What is something people don't know about you? I played rugby for the Israeli national team. El El Israel!

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A Foreign Correspondent

Harrison Wermuth, DO, Vice Chair of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program: SBH Health System Bronx

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To establish mentorship and professional opportunities for those interested in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowships. Moreover, I will promote Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research and provide up-to-date management strategies for Pediatric Patient Management. As Emergency Medicine Physicians, we encounter Pediatric Patients in our daily practice. I feel strongly that we need to have the up-to-date resources, knowledge, and tools to provide the best possible patient care to our Pediatric Population.

Top 3 traits of a great leader:
1. Integrity
2. Empathetic
3. Self-Aware

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Equity Trader

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Sour Strips

Lea Cohen, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program:Maimonides Medical Center

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I hope to expand the EM-PEM relationship and create more mentorship opportunities for PEM-bound EM residents, especially at programs with less mentorship opportunities or less EM-PEM attendings.

Top 3 traits of a great leader:
1. Flexibility
2. Empathy
3. A wholeeee lot of humor

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Learned how to drive stick shift!

What's the last non-textbook you read? The Eragon dragon series

Nitin Kuppanda, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Pediatric EM Committee, 2022-2023

Program:St. John's Riverside Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal is to bring more awareness to the opportunities within pediatric emergency medicine and the importance of pediatric considerations during disaster responses.

What is something people don't know about you? I can get really competitive with board games. #RivalRestaurants

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? I have been trying out new recipes with my InstantPot. My current go-to is chicken bulgogi. I also have started to grow bonsai trees (unsuccessfully – the journey is filled with