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By: Valerie Powell Published Date: Feb 25

As we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare in today's reality, it's essential to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in emergency medicine. Marie-Carmelle Elie, M.D., professor and chair of the UAB Department of Emergency Medicine, shares with us six critical things that emergency physicians want you to know:

1. Don't delay seeking medical attention for symptoms of a stroke or heart attack

Time is of the essence when it comes to treating these life-threatening conditions. If you or a loved one experiences symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden numbness or weakness, don't hesitate to call 911 or visit the closest emergency department immediately.

2. Know the signs of sepsis

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can arise from a variety of infections and remains the leading cause of death among hospitalized patients. Look out for symptoms such as fever, chills, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing. This is especially critical if you have a history of a suppressed immune system, diabetes, or elderly. If you suspect someone may have sepsis, seek medical attention right away.

3. Don't use the emergency department as a substitute for primary care.

While emergency departments are equipped to handle urgent and life-threatening conditions, they are not a replacement for regular check-ups and preventative care. By maintaining a relationship with a primary care physician, you can help prevent chronic conditions and reduce the need for emergency visits.

4. Be aware of the risks of opioid addiction

The opioid epidemic continues to pose a significant threat to public health, and emergency physicians are on the front lines of this crisis. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that there are resources available to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or a local support group for guidance.

5. Take steps to prevent injuries and accidents

Many emergency department visits can be prevented by taking simple precautions such as wearing seatbelts, using helmets, and practicing fall prevention techniques. By being mindful of potential hazards, you can reduce your risk of injury and stay safe.

6. Don't be afraid to ask questions

As a patient, you have the right to ask questions and seek clarification about your care. Don't be afraid to ask your emergency physician about your diagnosis, treatment options, or follow-up care. By being an active participant in your care, you can ensure that you receive the best possible treatment.

By keeping these critical points in mind, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones receive the best possible care in the event of an emergency. Remember, your emergency medicine physician is here to help.

By: Cali Sanford Published Date: May 02 Lauren Walter, MD, FACEP, Associate Professor and Alpha Omega Alpha inductee
Lauren Walter, MD, FACEP, Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine has been selected for induction to the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society.

AOA was founded in 1902. It is a professional medical organization which recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine. Election to Alpha Omega Alpha is an honor signifying a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community service. Membership in the society is a lifelong honor which confers recognition for a physician’s dedication to the profession and art of healing. More than 4,000 members are inducted annually, with a total membership of greater than 200,000.

Dr. Walter's induction was celebrated at the annual AOA Induction Banquet in March 2023.

By: Cali Sanford Published Date: Apr 26 Maxwell Thompson, MD, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship
The Department of Emergency Medicine's Ultrasound Fellowship has received a three-year accreditation from the Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship Accreditation Council (EUFAC). The accreditation application process was led by Maxwell Thompson, MD, Program Director of the Ultrasound Fellowship.

EUFAC represents several prestigious emergency medicine organizations with a common goal of quality subspecialty training in ultrasonography, including the Society of Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships, the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and others. It was created to provide subspecialty fellowship program accreditation for Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowships. To be granted accreditation, programs must complete an application process which evaluates them in comparison to published accreditation standards. Programs earning EUFAC accreditation are recognized as top emergency medicine ultrasound training programs. Only graduates of fellowships with EUFAC accreditation are eligible to sit for certification through the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Among other requirements, programs must demonstrate excellence in faculty and fellow evaluation, scholarly activity and educational work, professionalism, teamwork, and quality improvement. 

By earning EUFAC accreditation, UAB joins over 100 other institutions which have demonstrated excellence in this area.

By: Published Date: Nov 10

  Marie-Carmelle Elie, M.D., FACEP, FCCM, FAAEM, RDMS,   accomplished professor and chair of the Department of Emergency   Medicine, has received the distinct honor of being elected into   the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Induction into the NAM   is one of the highest honors for a physician in the U.S. This recent   accomplishment is an incredible feat for Elie and the department   she leads.

  The Academy selection process highlights those who have made   major contributions to advance health care, medical sciences, and   public health and have demonstrated a dedication to service. With   an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a medical   degree from the State University of New York in Brooklyn including   a distinction in research, she continues her work in education,   research and innovation including more than 100 publications to   date. Elie completed her emergency medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, followed by the highly acclaimed Critical Care/Trauma Fellowship at the R. Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland. To add to her many accomplishments, she is triple board-certified in emergency medicine, critical care, and hospice/palliative care medicine. After stops in New Jersey and Florida, Dr. Elie became the first African American woman to chair an academic emergency department in the nation representing the first scholar at the crossroads of the emergency medicine, critical care, and palliative care disciplines to achieve such recognition in North America.

Dr. Elie says she is incredibly humbled by her induction into NAM and is grateful for the countless patients that have participated in her journey. Her recognition stems from establishing novel programs that impact on patient care and their survival.  “My greatest passion has been to improve the survival of patients experiencing serious illness to improve their dignity and quality of life.  Emergency medicine represents both a service and concept where early decisions made at critical inflection points in acute illness may have a longstanding impact on outcomes.”  Years in advance of CMS core measures and state mandates for sepsis protocols, Dr. Elie established hospital- and community-wide sepsis programs that served as proof of concept for the early identification and streamlined management of sepsis from the patients home using the pre-hospital system to the emergency room and finally critical care environments in order to effectively improve outcomes.  As an example, the model expansion of these programs across North Central Florida leveraged prehospital and emergency medical systems improving sepsis outcomes for Floridians over a 100 mile radius.   Her sepsis research focuses on strategies to abate the progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome.  Her work features the initial studies designed to administer convalescent plasma to treat infectious disease such as influenza.  With the increasing recognition of a complex and aging population of patients experiencing deaths in hospital ICUs, Dr. Elie established family support and palliative care service lines in several hospitals, transforming care models among patients at the end stages of disease or terminal illness, and increasing hospice enrollment for patients dying in hospitals.   She has helped develop and teach a palliative care communication series for emergency providers that has been delivered to numerous emergency departments across the US and is currently engaged as an investigator in 2 of the highest funded palliative care clinical trials in the nation.  As a former chief medical officer of one of the largest hospice and palliative care organizations in Florida, she has partnered with community hospice and home health agencies to provide home based services to allow for timely discharge to home from the ED and ICUs to improve the quality of life of patients at the end stages of their chronic illness.  During the COVID pandemic, she championed the largest effort to continue home-based care for the elderly and dying at the height of the crisis.  She continues her work in sepsis and palliative care at UAB.

 “I am grateful beyond measure and thankful to all who played a role in my nomination,” says Elie. “This is a direct reflection of the support from the entire Emergency Medicine department and our great institution.”