Message from the Department Chair
Thank you for dropping by! The department is fully engaged in the new reality of Covid Pandemic Southwestern style. After a relatively modest start-up, the Arizona explosion finally occurred, starting in June. Our faculty, residents, APPs, nurses, medics, and staff have responded with superb skill, compassion, and creativity. Several faculty have published timely milestone papers (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32427182/), submitted grants, and have actively joined Covid-19 active trials. Several of our recent graduates who joined community practices have signed up for Per Diem status in case we need to activate them for the surging volumes. Our 25 new EM residents have all joined the fight, suited up, and ready to go! Overall, I think that we are definitely prepared and for that, a huge shout-out to our medical directors, Drs. Melissa Zukowski and Matthew Berkman, who have STEPPED UP big time. I will never think of M&Ms the same.
It has also been a time to double our thoughts, plans, and actions regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. All our leaders are actively adding action plans to their annual goals. See our department Action Plan on the new area of our site. This work is led by Dr. Alice Min Simpkins, our department DEI Champion. I am committed to using 2020 as an opportunity to create a better environment for everyone here, including our patients.
Let me know how you are doing and stay safe,
Samuel M. Keim, MD, MSc
Professor and Chair
Department of Emergency Medicine
Director, Arizona Emergency Medicine Research Center
