Emergency Medicine ‘Unsung Hero’ Physicians Honored

As an unsung hero, this award recognizes those physicians who go “beyond simply being the embodiment of what it means to be an emergency physician,” according to the New York chapter of ACEP.

Those recognized are “deeply committed to the mission of the emergency department, their colleagues, co-workers and patients. The unsung hero is always willing to help a colleague — within the clinical environment or not. They are the trusted individual who is known to bring comfort and a smile to the faces of all those around.”

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences faculty members are all physicians who see patients through UBMD Emergency Medicine. UBMD Emergency Medicine had more physicians recognized than any other hospital system or medical group in New York.

In addition to providing care throughout Western New York, these physicians teach medical students and residents and conduct research to improve emergency care.

“The past year has been incredibly challenging for emergency departments throughout the country due to COVID-19, and each of these award winners represent the very best in emergency medicine,” says Robert F. McCormack, MD, professor and chair of emergency medicine and president of UBMD Emergency Medicine.

The seven awardees are all clinical assistant professors of emergency medicine:

• Scott J. Belote, MD
• Samantha Bordonaro, MD
• Jennifer Caldwell, DO
• Andrew J. Eckert, MD
• Christopher H. Schwarz, MD
• Mark M. Sieminski, MD
• Kyle M. Westerholt, MD

“By nature of their specialty, emergency department physicians will always be on the front lines in the fight against pandemics such as COVID-19,” says Allison Brashear, MD, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. “I am pleased these hard-working clinicians are being recognized for their tireless dedication to caring for the sick and vulnerable.”