Patricia Hernandez, MD

I was initially drawn to emergency medicine because of its multifaceted, evolving, and dynamic nature. It is a specialty where uncertainty is seen as a catalyst for coordinated care, critical thinking, and innovation. As emergency medicine providers, we meet people where they are—managing not only acute conditions but also addressing the complex social dynamics and nuances driving their care. This passion for emergency medicine began long before my formal training—it was driven by my desire to serve others, bridge gaps in healthcare, and provide compassionate care regardless of available resources. Somewhere along the way, as a medical student, I was fortunate to come across SAEM, and was immediately captivated by its mission to advance academic emergency medicine through education, research, and professional development. SAEM’s core vision aligned perfectly with my own desire to make a broader impact, beyond the four walls of an emergency department.

My initial exposure to SAEM began as a medical student ambassador in 2022, a role that opened the door to my involvement with SAEM at the national level. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving as a former RAMS Board Member at Large and as resident liaison to the Education Committee. I currently serve as a resident reviewer for the SAEM Grants Committee and as a resident member of AWAEM and ADIEM. These roles have enabled me to contribute to important projects and advocate for the needs of residents and medical students at a national level while allowing me to expand my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within our specialty. I have led in the development of educational roadmaps for trainees, revision of our RAMS Board strategic plan, organization of webinars for residents and medical students, and review of didactics and grants proposals. Beyond my work with SAEM, I chair the Center for Diversity and Inclusion Resident and Fellow Committee at Massachusetts General Hospital, and lead a grant-funded community outreach project for at-risk youth in Boston.

As I reflect on my involvement with SAEM and my experiences in emergency medicine, I recognize that the challenges facing our field are evolving. It has grown increasingly more difficult to develop clinical competence in high-stakes, low-frequency clinical scenarios, while managing the cognitive overload that prevails in a demanding, fast-paced specialty. These challenges require strategic action, including balancing procedural proficiency with meaningful patient connections, navigating the increasing demands of patient volume and staffing shortages, and addressing the challenge of providing primary care services amidst unprecedented ED volumes. Yet, despite these challenges, the field is poised for transformative growth with advancements in AI, digital health tools, the expansion of telemedicine, and greater collaboration across specialties.

I am running for a position on the SAEM Board of Directors because I see both the challenges and the immense opportunities ahead, and I believe my background, perspective, and skills align with SAEM's strategic direction. I am committed to being a voice for all residents and medical students, and I will work to make sure that the perspectives of our RAMS members are addressed through strategic, goal-driven efforts. I am committed to integrating emerging technologies into medical education, advocating for mental health support for both providers and patients, and fostering cross-institutional collaborations centered on health equity. I will support initiatives that promote sustainable workforce practices and advocate for better training opportunities and support systems for residents. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and future of emergency medicine, and I am confident that by working together, we can leverage these opportunities to strengthen our specialty.