NORTH FLORIDA

Orange Park Medical Center

By Cody Russell, MD, PGY-2 & Ron Koury, DO, FAAEM, FACEP

We recently conducted a quality project using Six Sigma techniques that our residents learned as part of their program to improve their ED. The goal was to decrease the time patients wait in ER rooms after their physician had discharged them, due to patients waiting on their discharge paperwork. The project was based on an idea to have resident physicians discharge select patients, particularly patients that residents were already going back into the room to discuss results, prescriptions, return precautions, and follow up plans. The logic was: why not just have patients sign their discharge papers when we are in the room discussing all the items of their discharge packet?

The results of this project showed that, by using this new discharge process in only 22.6% of all ED patients, an additional 177 patients could be accommodated into ED rooms rather than being treated from the waiting room. It also could generate an estimated $442,500 in additional revenue for the hospital if continued throughout the year.

This project won first place at Orange Park Medical Centers Research Day and was presented by Cody Russell, MD, PGY-1 and led by Steven Warrington, MD. ■

UF Gainesville

By Christopher Purcell, MD, PGY-3

After a hard-worked past few months through the COVID-19 pandemic, the UF Emergency Medicine residency program is taking time to focus on this year’s achievements and looking forward to a new year.

Summer brings an end to our senior residents’ time with us. In June, our PGY-3’s presented their hard work in research and quality improvement. Two of those quality improvement projects include the development of a multidisciplinary DVT discharge pathway, as well as the creation of a standardized process for medically clearing Baker Act patients, and they have already started making a difference in our department

The symbolic hand-off of chief responsibilities took place at the annual chief resident dinner. A huge thank you to Assistant Residency Program Director, Dr. Nicholas Maldonado, for hosting the dinner. If you have not had a T-bone steak cooked on his Big Green Egg grill… you are missing out.

Thank you so much Drs. Austin Reed, Tierra Smith and Garrett Snipes for their work as chief residents this past year! We would also like to welcome Drs. Christopher Purcell, Lauren Fisher and Shannon Williams as they prepare to lead us through this next year.

A new academic year means new interns and medical students who are eager to learn. We are excited to introduce a “teaching shift” into our PGY-3 schedules. This allows for dedicated on-shift teaching time to help enhance the medical student experience and gives the new interns another senior resident in the department to learn from. We cannot wait to get these shifts started!

Each July brings a “resident wellness day” where everyone is given the day off to participate in a group activity. Last year we had such a blast floating down Ginnie Springs that we are returning this year for even more fun.■

Life AFTER RESIDENCY

Retreat 2020

THRIVING BEYOND MEDICINE

Feedback Requested:

in-person event OR virtual experience? Send your thoughts to mkeahey@emlrc.org

FCEP staff and the Life After Residency planning committee are still weighing all options with the safety of our residents, faculty and sponsors in mind.

UF Jacksonville

By Dr. Rick Courtney, DO, PGY-2

Congratulations to our graduating third-years! We are grateful for the leadership you’ve exhibited over the years, and we look forward to celebrating all of your accomplishments moving forward. Good luck to all in your future endeavors. As we say goodbye to our seniors, we are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2023 to our family! It’s a unique and exciting time to be starting residency in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we know you are going to come in and meet the challenge head on.

We’d also like to take a moment to celebrate several members of our team who have been recognized within our hospital for their outstanding contributions. Dr. David Caro received the UF Meritorious Service Award for his great accomplishments this year as our program director and as the hospital’s Disaster Medical Officer, where he led our charge against COVID-19. Dr. Tom Morrissey won the College of Medicine Excellence in Student Education Award. This honor is awarded to the faculty member deemed the most outstanding teacher as selected by the medical students. Additionally, our very own Dr. Michael Gast, PGY3 won the Ann Harwood-Nuss Resident Advocate Award for his contributions in improving the educational and work environment of his fellow residents. Congratulations, everyone!

UCF/HCA North Florida Regional

By Jayden Miller, MD, PGY-2

A lot has been happening at North Florida! We celebrated the graduation of our inaugural class in May. The gentlemen of the Class of 2020 have all graduated and moved off to their next chapters!

Several of our seniors headed out west: Dr. Zaza Atenalov is now an attending in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Christopher Libby has also moved to Los Angeles for his Informatics Fellowship at Cedars Sinai. Dr. Ryan Luevanos is now an attending in San Diego, CA, and Dr. Colin Bufano is now practicing in Berkeley, CA. Dr. Donovan Ginest has not yet finalized his plans. Dr. Benjamin Murphy accepted an attending position in Knoxville, TN, and Dr. Alex Waldman will be practicing in Cleveland, OH. Finally, Dr. Alex Barabas will be an attending in Fort Pierce, FL.

We are also extremely excited to announce that Dr. Shelby Martin, PGY-3 has accepted an early offer for a Critical Care Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.

Our residents stood in solidarity with protesters around the country during our “White Coats for Black Lives” gathering (socially-distanced, of course) on June 10th. We knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to remember the loss of George Floyd, and contemplated inequalities in our country.

COVID-19 is beginning to rebound in Florida, and we are seeing our share of patients suffering from the novel illness. Thankfully, our residents are never without PPE or support, and we have been able to care for our patients with safety in mind.

In light of COVID-19, many changes have been announced regarding audition rotations and interview season. We have sought interaction with the Medical School Class of 2021 by enhancing our social media and online presence. Dr. Ashley Barash, PGY-3 has taken over the reins of our Instagram, sharing “A Day in the Life” in the cardiovascular ICU and spotlighting rock stars from our program. We’ve also had our PD, Dr. Robyn Hoelle, give an informational session for EM applicants on our IGTV, not to mention loads of interaction and education happening on our Twitter. To learn more about North Florida EM and to interact with faculty and residents, follow us @northfloridaem on Instagram and Twitter, or visit the website at northfloridaem.com! ■