The American College of Emergency Physicians has named a University of Utah doctor as a "Hero of Emergency Medicine." The campaign, which celebrates ACEP's 40th anniversary, honors physicians who have made "significant contributions to emergency medicine, their communities and their patients."
Dr. Stephen C. Hartsell is program director of the U.'s Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine. He's also a professor of surgery at the U. School of Medicine. He established the first emergency medicine residency in Utah and has served as the program's director since its inception. He is also a past president and a leader of the Utah ACEP Chapter.
"Emergency physicians are on the front lines of America's health care system, providing the essential community service of emergency care," says ACEP President Dr. Linda L. Lawrence. "The dedication, passion and commitment Dr. Hartsell has shown embodies the vision of ACEP's founders and the ideals of our specialty."
She noted that tens of thousands of lives are saved each year by emergency room physicians, who treat 115 million patients a year.
ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with more than 25,000 members. It's based in Dallas, Texas, and has 53 chapters.