Breanne Jaqua, DO, MPH
Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center
What are your 2 key goals as an EMRA board member?
First, I want to be an open line of communication to all EMRA members. Second, I want to advocate on behalf of EM medical students and physicians in training.
How will you support EMRA members - and how can they support the specialty?
It is an honor and privilege to be on the Board of Directors with EMRA, and I want to support our members in any way possible. I encourage EMRA members to contact me with any questions or concerns. If I cannot help directly, I will be sure to connectyou to someone who can.
Why is serving in a leadership role important to you?
I chose a career in medicine because I care deeply about doing meaningful work that improves the lives of others. Effective leadership accomplishes the same goal, therefore I invested significant time and energy to develop my leadership skills during medical school and now residency. When I first learned that I would be working with the EMRA Board of Directors as the Liaison to the ACGME’s Emergency Medicine Review Committee, I was overjoyed. I knew this was a unique chance for personal learning and growth, but more importantly, an exceptional opportunity to serve. I am honored to be a leader during this pivotal time in Emergency Medicine, to advocate for physicians in training, and to collaborate on projects to improve the lives of EMRA members.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for the specialty in the next 5 years?
One of the biggest challenges for the specialty now and in the future is wellness and burnout. This has been a focus for me since 2015 when I assisted with the development of the Mental Health Awareness Task Force, an initiative of the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, a council of AACOM. Wellness remains a core interest of mine, and I look forward to presenting at the ACGME’s Annual Educational Conference in February 2020 on Diversity and Inclusion Training to Promote Wellness in Residency Programs.
Reason you chose emergency medicine:
I chose emergency medicine because I met an inspiring EM physician on my third year EM rotation. I loved everything about this doctor: the patients he saw, his clinical and diagnostic skills, his work schedule, and the unpredictability of a day’s work. He was also the happiest doctor I met on my clinical rotations, and I thought to myself “I want to be just like him.” Furthermore, I was working on my Masters in Public Health throughout medical school, and I found myself frequently drawing on my experiences in the ED while completing my course work. The emergency department is the safety net of the American public health system, and I was excited to enter a field that brought together so many of my interests and passions.
Favorite procedure (to date):
Intubations
Most-used app on your phone:
Email app
Beach or mountains?
Beach all the way! I grew up in Key West, Florida, so I am an island girl at heart.
Last song stuck in your head:
“Uprising” by Muse
What goes on pizza?
Extra cheese and pepperoni