(Philadelphia, PA) – Judd Hollander, MD, Clinical Research Director for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s (HUP) Emergency Department, has been elected President of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). With more than 6,000 members, SAEM is the nation’s largest academic emergency group.

SAEM focuses on improving patient care and fostering emergency medicine’s academic environment through research, education, and health policy.

Hollander will serve a three-year term, the first as president-elect. Since 1993 Hollander has been a very active contributor to the society. He has served on the Board of Directors and chaired multiple committees, including the Program Committee, which conducts the annual meeting. Serving in these high-profile positions along with his reputation for emergency research excellence made Hollander a prime candidate for the presidency.

“It’s a nice thing, being able to put your stamp on the organization,” said Hollander. “I have worked for the organization since the early nineties in a variety of roles so it is rewarding that people have recognized what I have done and have faith in me going forward.”

Traditionally, securing funding for research in emergency medicine has proven difficult. The National Institute of Health has limited funding for emergency medicine research, which forces researchers to look for funding from various institutions interested in the importance of emergency care. Finding and obtaining these additional revenue streams will be Hollander’s top priority.

Hollander’s responsibilities will not end in the search for more funding. As President of SAEM he will oversee the Board of Directors, troubleshoot issues that arise with other organizations and within the membership, preside over the national meeting, and move the whole society forward with respect to research and education.

His years of service to the society aside, Hollander believes it is the years serving as an Attending Physician in one of the nation’s busiest emergency departments that has prepared him for the job ahead.

“Someone once said to me if you want help for something look for the busiest person around because they are the person who is most likely to know how to do something and be able help. I really hope people look at me that way.”

###

PENN Medicine is a $2.9 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn's School of Medicine is ranked #2 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals [Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, which is consistently ranked one of the nation's few "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S.News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center]; a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.