UChicago EM

Emergency Medical Services
she/her

Hey, I am Bernice Fokum and I am the current fellow in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at UChicago! My educational journey led me to a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from Emory University School of Medicine, complemented by a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. My commitment is to healthcare advocacy and policy reform.

My fellowship in Emergency Medical Services specializes in disaster response and delivering healthcare outside of hospital settings. I am especially interested in health equity in the prehospital space, with particular interests in racial disparities in bystander CPR, inequities in disaster responses and ways that community paramedicine can be a vehicle for social justice.

As part of my fellowship, I have a chance to learn how to create medical systems that meet patients where they are to deliver high quality care, learn about health policymaking at the local & municipal levels, be on-site medical control at so many exciting events and concerts, do research I’m passionate about, including about disparities in bystander CPR in vulnerable communities, ride with ambulance crews to witness medical delivery in the field, and work as a flight physician for the University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN).

Separately, I actively engage with the broader community through my online platforms, including a YouTube channel, Twitter account, and an Instagram clinical reflections account. Through these channels, I share my expertise and insights, further extending my reach in promoting healthcare education and advocacy. I love my work. I feel such fulfillment and purpose. I’m learning and growing everyday. And I don’t take this for granted!

Administration
she/her

Hi! I’m Alyssa Ierardo. I am originally from Melbourne, Australia but spent most of my teen years in the Philadelphia area. I went to medical school and earned a combined MD/MPH at Tufts University and then did my emergency medicine residency in Washington, DC at Georgetown/Washington Hospital Center. I am fascinated by the role the emergency department plays in today’s complicated healthcare landscape, particularly as that relates to underserved and underinsured populations. I care deeply about quality and safety improvements in the ED that improve care delivery. This led me to my current position as a ED Administration Fellow at UCM. I am currently studying business at UChicago’s Booth School while continuing clinical work in the ED. I ultimately hope to combine these skills and my passion for the impact of emergency medicine on population health into a fruitful role as a clinical leader and advocate for the emergency department. In my spare time, you’ll find me watching trashy reality tv, spending time outside and traveling, or spending time with my family and friends, frequently over a great meal. At work, you’ll find me drinking all the coffee and asking silly questions to boost the mood and keep team energy going through the shift.

Medical Education
she/her

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a through-and-through New Englander transplanted to the Midwest. After growing up in Madison, CT, I went to Brown for undergrad and UConn Med before couples-matching with my now-husband to UChicago for my EM residency! I loved everything about my time and training here and was glad to be able to stay for my Medical Education fellowship. It is a privilege every day to work with the mission-driven UCEM team in supporting the hospital’s surrounding community. I realized early in medical school that I wanted to weave mentorship and education into my career. During residency, I participated in the UChicago Medical Education Research, Innovation, and Teaching, and Scholarship (MERITS) program which solidified my interest in pursuing formal education training. I also helped to collate resources for the asynchronous residency didactic curriculum, and designed a monthly interactive session for medical students to give them early exposure to the field of EM. During fellowship I’ve been closely involved with the medical student clerkship alongside working as an attending in the adult and pediatric EDs. As part of my fellowship I’m also completing courses at the University of Illinois in Chicago for my Master of Health Professions Education degree. My thesis project explores best practices in teaching verbal de-escalation skills.

When I’m not in the hospital I can be found driving my 100lb dog to and from St Louis where my husband is completing his neuro-ophthalmology fellowship, fussing with DIY house projects, or jumping up onto my soapbox about the superiority of New Haven style pizza!

Global EM
he/him

I grew up in Indiana, did residency in Brooklyn, and am now in the second year of Global Emergency Medicine and Education fellowship. I’m currently working with PIH in Sierra Leone. I like rock climbing and pottery.

Medical Education
she/her

Hey y’all, I’m Michelle Suh! Originally from Austin, I went to college in the northeast and taught middle school science before going into medicine. I’m currently the medical education fellow at the University of Chicago, and my interests include care of the incarcerated patient, geriatric care in the ED, and undergraduate medical education.

It’s my first time living in the midwest, and I was willing to brave the snow because of how awesome the department is. From even just the interview day, I think the sense of community and purpose is incredibly clear. Everyone made the intentional choice to serve the South Side population, and I feel lucky to be a part of the mission. In my spare time, I like to explore the very many neighborhoods of Chicago, watch Survivor with my roommate, and visit my husband who’s completing his fellowship in Boston.