2024 Technology, Telehealth and Informatics Committee Leader Spotlight

Mitchell Blenden, MD, Chair of the EMRA Technology, Telehealth & Informatics Committee, 2024

Program: Northwestern University

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal is to increase awareness of the benefits of integrating technology into emergency care.

Why get involved in a professional society? To get involved in the emergency medicine community and learn from/make connections with leaders in the field.

Top 3 traits of a great leader:
Confidence, dedication, humility

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A financial advisor

Sidra Speaker, MD, MS, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Technology, Telehealth & Informatics Committee, 2023-2024

Program: UC San Diego Health

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To help make informatics education accessible to emergency medicine residents throughout the country so that we're prepared to use the technology available to us. I would like to promote physician understanding of data and technology so that we can best harness these tools to improve the cost, quality and accessibility of Emergency care.

Why get involved in a professional society? To connect with other residents and faculty within my field and to get involved the the EM community.

What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader? Drive, creativity, and excellent communication skills.

What is the best advice you have ever received? Don't change you goals just because someone says "no".

What is something that people don't know about you? I relax by doing art projects and making birthday cards for close friends and family. 

If you weren't an emergency physician, what would you be? A pain medicine physician. If not a physician I'd like to be a florist.

What is the last non-textbook you read? The Amber Spyglass

Ryan Korn, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Technology, Telehealth & Informatics Committee, 2024

Program:UC San Diego Health

Your goal as an EMRA leader: Work to implement and develop strategies within the realm of technology, telehealth, and informatics to help improve patient care and the overall efficiency of emergency medicine.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: History teacher and lacrosse coach

Austin Schoeffler, MD, Assitant Vice Chair of the EMRA Technology, Telehealth & Informatics Committee, 2024

Program: University Hospitals Cleveland

Your goal as an EMRA leader: An an EMRA leader, my primary goal is to leverage innovative technologies to enhance the educational and operational aspects of emergency medicine residency programs. I aim to foster a collaborative environment where technology becomes a powerful tool in supporting our residents' learning experiences, streamlining administrative processes, and ultimately improving patient care.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Astronaut