The Global Emergency Medicine Student Leadership Program (GEMS LP) is a mentorship program within the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) geared towards exposing medical students to the field of global EM through mentorship, global health projects, journal clubs, and networking. Through this collaboration with iEM we hope to share some of the amazing work our mentees are doing!
If you are interested in being a part of this program as a student or mentor please reach out to us at info.gemslp@gmail.com
Problem Statement The WHO classified snakebite envenomations as an NTD in 2017 for causing enormous
Background Worldwide, road traffic accidents (RTAs) account for about 1.3 million fatalities and, on average,
Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for an estimated 175.3
Prevalence of burnout among university students in low- and middle- income countries: a systematic review
Tropical Diarrheal Illnesses in Children by Ying Ku Tropical diarrheal illnesses (TDIs) are major health
The Global Burden of Schistosomiasis presented by Farah Mechref Endemic in 74 countries across Africa,
POCUS in Resource-Limited Settings presented by Holly A. Farkosh POCUS, or point-of-care ultrasound, is a
The Global Burden of Schistosomiasis presented by Farah Mechref Endemic in 74 countries across Africa,
Global Health and the Global Burden of Disease presented by Denise Manfrini Global burden of
Welcome back! The first GEMS LP journal club of the season took place on October
Ecuador is fast approaching its 30th anniversary of recognizing emergency medicine as a specialty. Within
Hello and welcome to the first blog post from ACEP’s International Section’s Global Emergency Medicine
EM PGY-1 Loyola University Medical Center
Director of Communications and Graphic Design
Dania Abu-Jubara
EM PGY-1
Loyola University Medical Center
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Communications and Graphic Design
What inspired you to get involved?
I had a great mentor when I was a GEMS LP mentee whose work inspired me to get more involved in global EM. I also had the opportunity to work with some of the incredible people on the leadership team; their dedication to improve the program and help others encouraged me to stay involved and be a part of their movement to make a difference.
Hobbies
International traveling (been to 27 countries so far), singing karaoke with a terrible voice, engaging in all kinds of outdoor recreation, trying new restaurants & dessert places
EM PGY-1 Prisma Health - Midlands @ University of South Carolina
Publications/Journal Club
Halley Alberts
EM PGY-1
Prisma Health – Midlands @ University of South Carolina
GEMS LP Title/Position
Publications/Journal Club
What inspired you to get involved?
I come from a rural area with little involvement in global health and GEMS LP offered me the mentorship and comradery I was lacking. Working in Appalachia developed my skills and passion for helping an underserved population and global health allows me to apply these same skills in a different environment. I’m excited to share this specialty with new mentees while continuing to foster my own knowledge and enthusiasm.
Hobbies
I play a mean game of badminton, I love house plants, and my favorite fruit is pomegranate!
EM PGY-2 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
Director of Orientation
Michaela Banks
EM PGY-2
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Orientation
What inspired you to get involved?
I have always been interested in global health, and I was excited to be in the second class of GEMS-LP, formerly AMP. I wanted to stay involved as a resident to continue to learn about the field of Global Emergency Medicine, and to work with future generations of EM leaders.
Hobbies
I love exploring different parts of Mexico, cooking, and working on systems to redistribute wealth
MS3 Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Journal Club Team
Nate Bode
MS3
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
GEMS LP Title/Position
Journal Club Team
What inspired you to get involved?
During the pandemic year, GEMS LP provided me a great way to still get involved with EMRA virtually. The program was a perfect combination of work focusing on social issues, international relations, and emergency medicine all in one!
Hobbies
I am passionate about brunch, ABBA, mentorship, euchre, and coffee (a vital component of brunch).
EM PGY-3 University of North Carolina
Resident Co-Director
Alexandra Digeankis
EM PGY-3
University of North Carolina
GEMS LP Title/Position
Resident Co-Director
What inspired you to get involved?
When I joined GEMS LP as an OMS-IV during the first year of the program I was looking for ways to get more involved in Global Emergency Medicine and more networking opportunities. I stayed on as part of the leadership team to help other medical students gain similar opportunities for Global Emergency Medicine mentorship, experiences and knowledge.
Hobbies
Kayaking with my pup, paddle boarding, hiking
MS4 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Communications and Graphic Design
Sean Flannigan
MS4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
GEMS LP Title/Position
Communications and Graphic Design
What inspired you to get involved?
As emergency care becomes an increasing priority to the UN and WHO over the upcoming decade, I hope to be on the frontlines promoting the sustainable establishment and improvement of both pre-hospital and hospital-based emergency care systems in environments with limited healthcare access. GEMS LP continues to provide me the education and mentorship I need to achieve these goals.
Hobbies
I avidly enjoy running excessively long distances, and I look forward to competing in the Western States 100 mile race this year!
Attending physician, Brown University
Faculty Co-Lead
Stephanie C. Garbern
Attending physician
Brown University
GEMS LP Title/Position
Faculty Co-Lead
What inspired you to get involved?
As an undergraduate, medical student and resident I found it difficult to navigate the career path towards becoming a global EM practitioner and was overwhelmed and intimidated at times by possibilities and people working in the global health field. I want to help encourage and motivate people interested in the field into creating their own unique and impactful careers.
Hobbies
Rock climbing, snowboarding, cooking, hiking with my corgi
EM PGY-2 Emory University
Director of Collaboration and Special Events
Kimberly Herard
EM PGY-2
Emory
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Collaboration and Special Events
What inspired you to get involved?
I have a strong interest in global health as my family is from Haiti and I have grown up seeing the perils of limited access to healthcare. I am interested in teaching and helping to learn and teach sustainability of healthcare in developing nations.
Hobbies
Gardening, Exercising, Photography
EM PGY-1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Orientation and Ambassador Conference
Rebecca Leff
EM PGY-1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
GEMS LP Title/Position
Orientation and Ambassador Conference
What inspired you to get involved?
I got involved in GEMS LP to meet and mentor the next generation of emergency medicine clinicians in global health. We learn so much from listening to each other and hearing about the work other GEMS LP members are doing. It is really by sharing our ideas that we grow and expand our own reach.
Hobbies
I am Israeli and played rugby for the Israeli national rugby team.
EM PGY-1 University of South Florida
Director of Recruitment
Lorena Martinez
EM PGY-1
University of South Florida
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Recruitment
What inspired you to get involved?
My family is from the Dominican Republic and I have personally witnessed the lack of structure in the healthcare field there, especially in the pre-hospital and emergent settings that has led to many preventable deaths and unfortunate outcomes.
Hobbies
Baking (esp all kinds of cheesecakes), travel, dancing, rom-com movies, overall trying new experiences/adventures
EM PGY-2 Emory University
Director of Mentorship and Academic Projects
Prem Menon
EM PGY-2
Emory University
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Mentorship and Academic Projects
What inspired you to get involved?
Global EM was a really important part for my interests within medical school and EM. I love the idea of facilitating medical students in their interests and helping them reach their goals. GEMS LP is such a great way of not only learning about Global EM but also starting your career in the field!
Hobbies
I love all kinds of music, I’m big into film photography, and I play an instrument (from India) called the Tabla!
MS4 The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Publications Leadership Team
Ogechi Nwodim
MS4
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
GEMS LP Title/Position
Publications Leadership Team
What inspired you to get involved?
GEMS was the perfect program for me. It is an amazing way to learn how to make a career in Global emergency medicine and network with leaders in the field, while also working on global health projects locally! I would encourage anyone interested in global health and emergency medicine to get involved.
Hobbies
I love to travel, attend concerts, and write about music!
EM PGY-1 Beaumont Farmington Hills
Director of Publications
Jerry Oommen
EM PGY-1
Beaumont Farmington Hills
GEMS LP Title/Position
Director of Publications
What inspired you to get involved?
During medical school I had the opportunity to go on a couple short term medical missions. Though rewarding, I wanted to learn more about sustainable efforts that combined my interests in global health and emergency medicine and GEMS LP has done just that!
Hobbies
Sports, Travel, Hiking, Binging TV shows, Baking
EM PGY-3 University of Maryland
Resident Co-Director
Ashley Pickering
EM PGY-3
University of Maryland
GEMS LP Title/Position
Resident Co-Director
What inspired you to get involved?
My GEM interests lie in education and capacity development; I believe that through educating local clinicians, as well as the next generation of GEM workforce, my impact on EC development is exponentially magnified! GEMS-LP is a wonderful community where I simultaneously find mentorship and opportunities to educate!
Hobbies
I love to traveling the world to trek in the mountains!
MS4 Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Recruitment Leadership Team
Spencer Seballos
MS4
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
GEMS LP Title/Position
Recruitment Leadership Team
What inspired you to get involved?
Mentorship is crucial when figuring out your personal and professional path in medicine, and GEMS LP gave me the opportunity to meet other students, residents, faculty and other experts in global EM.
Hobbies
I was a Fulbright grant recipient to Laos, where I was an English instructor at the University of Health Sciences in Vientiane.
MBBS Year 6 Zhejiang University
Recruitment & Retention Team/Assistant Vice-Chair of International Committee
Jemima Stanley
MBBS Year 6
Zhejiang University
GEMS LP Title/Position
Recruitment & Retention Team/Assistant Vice-Chair of International Committee
What inspired you to get involved?
GEMS LP helps us learn from pioneers of EM in certain countries and enhances our knowledge of Global Health in the EM context. GEMSLP only helped me work towards my overarching goal in life, which is to serve the underserved effectively and efficiently. I knew then that I would like to play a part in helping others with similar goals attain a better understanding of Global Health and EM and so I decided to get involved.
Hobbies
I love anything to do with water bodies and water sports in general. It may have something to do with me growing up on a ship for a year.
MS3 George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Mentorship & Projects
Tammy Tarhini
MS3
George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
GEMS LP Title/Position
Mentorship & Projects
What inspired you to get involved?
As a Lebanese American woman who studied Medical Anthropology and Global Health, my goal has been to build on my background, and become a physician who can advocate for, serve, and be a resource for immigrant communities and displaced persons. GEMS-LP not only provided exposure to working in global EM, but also to hands-on mentorship from wonderful EM doctors around the world that helped me grow as a future physician with a specific interest in compassionate and ethical global health.
Hobbies
There are too many Washington’s in my life: from undergrad to medical school, I went from the University of Washington in Washington state, to George Washington in DC.
GEM Fellow Brown University
Dr. Austin Lee
GEM Fellow
Brown University
Subspecialty of interest
Education, EM development
Journey to GEM
I studied Spanish in college and lived/worked in rural Guatemala as my first long-term global health exposure. I worked in Washington, DC while in grad school on tropical infectious disease projects for a few years, before going back to med school. I’ve focused my work in global EM in Kenya, but am also supporting ongoing projects in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Rwanda.
Why GEMS LP?
Hoping to encourage the next generation of global health leaders, provide networking/mentorship to students/trainees and for myself!
Hobbies
We just had a baby this summer, so that’s been my newest hobby. I enjoy riding my bike or otherwise being outside as much as possible.
Associate Professor of EM
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dr. Arun Nandi
Associate Professor of EM
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Subspecialty of interest
Emergency system of care, prehospital EM
Journey to GEM
I am currently the ambassador to Sri Lanka and to India for the ACEP International Section. I have been a mentor for the last two years and have enjoyed the process. I am also on the faculty at the Arnold Institute of Global Health at Mount Sinai.
Why GEMS LP?
I think international work and being exposed to different systems of medicine and emergency care in different parts of the world enriches the experience and broadens the horizons of medical students and residents.
To my mentees!
I would like to assist them in their experiences of exposure to Emergency Medicine in International settings.
Hobbies
I like dogs, hiking, garden, traveling, and Clint Eastwood movies
GEMS LP Co-Director
Chair ACEP Section on International EM
Assistant Professor of EM Emory University
Dr. Andrés Patiño
GEMS LP Co-Director
Chair ACEP Section on International EM
Assistant Professor of EM
Emory University
Subspecialty of interest
Global emergency medicine
Journey to GEM
I was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S. as a teenager. Growing up in between cultures and noticing the large disparities in resources, especially in global emergency medicine as I learned about the field, made me want to work with international partners to improve emergency care everywhere.
Why GEMS LP?
I founded the program and am the former director. It’s been very rewarding to see graduates coming back to help the program improve. I love being part of the GEMS LP community and helping develop future leaders in global EM.
To my mentees!
I want you to succeed. Let me know how I can help.
GEMS LP Co-Faculty
Assistant ED Medical Director
Vituity/Sutter Delta Medical Center
Dr. Anthony Rodigin
GEMS LP Co-Faculty
Assistant ED Medical Director
Vituity/Sutter Delta Medical Center
Subspecialty of interest
Education, EMS, and international EM
Journey to GEM
I started looking into state of EM in my home country (Russia) while in residency, and kind of just expanded my curiosity – first regionally and then globally, adding a new interest in comparing EMS systems and landing on studying whole national emergency care systems and how EM docs can be useful in global health.
Why GEMS LP?
I think I can learn as much from the students as I can ever advise or teach. Most life stories and resumes are beyond impressive. I’ve always thought contributing to the next gen is a must, in EM or in any line of work. A lot of people have helped me along the way.
Something about me
In my mind I’m still a stay-home Dad with a spouse working 11 hour days, 2 kids age 7 and 14, a cat and a full house to run. On the side, I dabble in clinical EM, international EM, admin duties, blog for iEM and volunteer as an EMS medical advisor for the National Park Service and US Forest Service…So I’m losing hair and my mind.
Hobbies
I pretend to be a Chef, try to read smart books and I get lost in “synth heaven” on my 2 keyboards. And I’d rather hike and camp than go to meetings.
Assistant Professor of EM
Emory University
Dr. Anna Yaffee
Assistant Professor of EM
Emory University
Subspecialty of interest
Emerging Special Pathogen Preparedness, Public Health
Journey to GEM
I have had a longstanding interest in global and public health, particularly including emergency medicine capacity building, preparedness, and humanitarian response. I believe emergency care capacity building is the ultimate method of preparedness for all-hazard threat, and is one of the greatest ways to strengthen the health of a region. I work on education and capacity building projects in Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Eswatini.
Why GEMS LP?
I signed up to be a GEMS LP Mentor because I enjoy sharing my career path and experiences with others, and using these experiences to help students hone their own. Sustainable, bilateral, and collaborative global health experiences are important to me, and I hope to instill these ethics in my mentees.
Something about me
I previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, and continue my interest in public health through work on frontline preparedness with the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Network. I think Global EM and public health go hand in hand!
Twitter handler
@anna_yaffee
GEM Fellow
University of Florida Shands
Dr. Cassandra Clay
GEM Fellow
University of Florida Shands
Subspecialty of interest
EMS/pre-hospital, disaster response, community outreach, tropical and neglected diseases, HIV, women’s health, infectious diseases, pediatrics, rural/ underserved medicine
Journey to GEM
I have trained in emergency medicine and am striving to work within and improve upon healthcare in our global community. I have worked in Uganda and Macedonia, with upcoming plans for work in Haiti and Ghana.
Why GEMS LP?
At times during my pursuit into global medicine, I found myself overwhelmed with the complexities of the global medical community. I hope to provide insight to others about how to find projects to get involved in, the ins and outs of traveling internationally, to help navigate the NGO and governmental organization world, discuss safety considerations, and help others evaluate the impact of different types of medical relief/projects.
Something about me
I love adventuring outdoors, I am currently pursuing a fellowship through the Wilderness Medicine Society, I am an animal lover and have 2 sweet little cats), I greatly enjoy visiting Europe and Africa, Gryffindor for life, I am a new aunt!
Hobbies
anything outside, yoga, audiobooks, movies, HP trivia, Taco Tuesday
Chair ACEP Section on International EM
Associate Professor of EM
University of Florida COM - Jacksonville
Dr. Elizabeth DeVos
Chair ACEP Section on International EM
Associate Professor of EM
University of Florida COM – Jacksonville
Subspecialty of interest
Global EM, Education, Sepsis
Journey to GEM
I completed a global EM fellowship at George Washington University where I worked on systems development/education projects in Turkey, China, Peru and Ethiopia. Through ACEP connections I had the opportunity to live and work in Rwanda in 2014 and currently am working on PEM ultrasound education in Paraguay in addition to ongoing work with prior partnerships. I also am Chair of the IFEM Specialty Implementation Committee
Why be a GEMS LP mentor?
I went to a school that didn’t have much opportunity to learn about opportunities in global health. ACEP and EMRA members have a wealth of experience to share and the virtual setting allows us all to learn from a wide community.
Something about me
I direct the UF College of Medicine Global Health Education Programs and have had the opportunity to serve in many ACEP, AFEM, and IFEM international committees. I’m happy to help students connect to their specific areas of interest. My most frequent projects focus on teaching EM skills.
Fun Fact
I celebrated my 40th birthday with a Half-Ironman and continue to train for triathlons!
Associate Professor of EM
University of Massachusetts
Dr. Gayle Galletta
Associate Professor of EM
University of Massachusetts
Subspecialty of interest
Specialty implementation in Norway, gender issues
Journey to GEM
I lived and worked in Norway, and helped establish the specialty of emergency medicine there.
Why be a GEMS LP mentor?
I enjoy sharing my global EM journey with others and hope to inspire and help students pursue their interests in global emergency medicine. Conversely, over the past few years, I have learned tremendously from the mentees and have been impressed by their projects.
Something about me
In 2012, I moved to my husband’s hometown in Norway with our children with the goal of learning the language, and unexpectedly was recruited to start the country’s first emergency department.
Fun Fact
I am an endurance triathlete and have done 11 Iron distance triathlons, including two world championships in Kona, Hawaii.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of EM
Brown University
Dr. Kyle Denison Martin
Adjunct Assistant Professor of EM
Brown University
Subspecialty of interest
Climate change & health, education, public health
Journey to GEM
I have projects in Haiti & Rwanda. I also focus on refugee health initiatives in the United States. My journey to GEM began with public health in Haiti. During fellowship, I started to do medical education in Rwanda.
Why be a GEMS LP mentor?
I enjoy serving as a mentor and guiding learners on a path that is the right fit for them.
Something about me
My clinical work is based at an academic community hospital, which is unique for GEM practitioners.
Fun Fact
I currently hold two Guinness World Records
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Michael Jaung
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Subspecialty of interest: Humanitarian Relief
Journey to GEM
After completing a fellowship in Global EM, I have worked on EM research and training projects in Belize and Liberia. I also work with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders and have completed assignments in Sierra Leone, Brazil, Lebanon, and Peru.
Why GEMS LP?
I would like to help students navigate the various opportunities and pathways to becoming an excellent clinician and global health practitioner.
Something about me
I’m a first generation medical school graduate.
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