MOCEP Candidate Information

Voting on the board and councilor candidates will take place at the Annual General Membership Meeting on March 31 at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles, Mo. Only members that attend the meeting will be eligible to vote.

Board Candidates

Jeanise Butterfield, MD, FACEP

Butterfield Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

This is a challenging time not only for Emergency Medicine as a field, but also for our fellow Missourians and their ability to access timely, high quality emergency care. I am currently an Associate Professor with the University of Missouri and serve as the Medical Director for one of our Emergency Departments and the Sexual Assault Forensic Program. I regularly interact with medical students, residents and faculty working not only in Columbia but also in the surrounding communities and have heard their pleas for education, access, and advocacy. I have had the privilege to be on the board of directors since 2020 and recently became the Chair of the Membership Committee.

I plan to continue to work with the Membership Committee to increase outreach and awareness to areas of our state that have not historically had active member representation in MOCEP. It is our duty to anticipate futures needs while remaining diligent in our mission to promote the highest quality of care and advocate for our physicians, patients, and the public.

I would be honored to continue to serve this organization as a member of the Board of Directors during this critical time for our specialty and our state. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Work History:

2019-Present

Medical Director, Women’s Hospital Emergency Department
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2018-Present

Director of Quality, Department of Emergency Medicine,
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2016-Present
Medical Director
Adult & Pediatric Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Program
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2016-Present
Assistant Medical Director, University Hospital
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2022-Present
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO

Education:

Emergency Medicine Residency
Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center
Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, MI

Doctor of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

M.S. Candidate, Basic Medical Science Graduate Program
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

B.S. Biology with Physiology Emphasis
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI

Emergency Medicine Technician Basic Training
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI

Jennifer Cooper-Lewis, DO, FACEP

Cooper-Lewis Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I would be honored to serve on the MOCEP Board as a Board Member. I filled a vacant position starting in 2022 and enjoyed learning all that MOCEP is doing for the Emergency Physicians in Missouri. From education and scholarships to legislative advocacy, MOCEP works for us. Members of the Board go to Jefferson City to fight for issues plaguing Emergency Physicians, from insurance billing to APP practice creep. I would like to be a part of the team that talks to our legislators to make a difference in our working conditions. As a Board Member, I will learn and grow and be able to fight more for the protection of EM Physicians in Missouri. MOCEP is also involved in educating residents and medical students. It is important to support the next generation of Emergency Physicians through education. I would also like to represent the Southwestern part of the state on the MOCEP board to help unite the physicians in Missouri, especially in the rural parts of the state. Thank you for taking the time to vote!

Work History:

2020-present

Medical Student Coordinator

Mercy Hospital Springfield

2018-present

Pediatric Medical Director and Sexual Assault Program Director

Mercy Hospital Springfield

2015-present

Emergency Medicine Staff Physician

Mercy Hospital Springfield

Education:

DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Vallejo, California

MS Biology, California State University, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

BS Microbiology, University of California, San Diego

San Diego, California

Jonathan Heidt, MD, FACEP

Heidt Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

During my time on the MOCEP board of directors, we have accomplished many achievements that I believe have and will benefit both our patients and emergency physicians in the state of Missouri. For example, we have been able to remove arbitrary and unnecessary CME requirements for emergency medicine physicians and have strengthened the prudent layperson standard in the state. Through these actions we have helped to develop model policies that other chapters have used to support similar initiatives throughout the country. However, I also believe there is still a lot of work to do.

After we strengthened the prudent layperson standard, insurance companies moved to the new tactic of down coding to reduce reimbursement rates. Through multiple negotiations, this practice has diminished, but has yet to be fully eliminated in the state.

As emergency physicians we are also all facing increasing patient volumes while simultaneously facing a staffing crisis resulting in rapid burnout amongst physicians. As an organization, I believe we can work together to face these difficult times head on in order to protect the access to emergency care that all citizens in our state deserve.

Third, we are also facing a potentially unprecedented level of closure of rural hospitals across our state resulting in healthcare deserts over wide areas. We must develop new and innovate policies and solutions to directly meet this challenge.

As a member of the MOCEP board of directors, I will work towards meeting these issues while continuing to protect and expand the quality of emergency care in Missouri.

Work History:

2018 – present

Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, Department of Emergency Medicine

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2021-present

Co-Medical Director Telemedicine MU Healthcare

MU Healthcare

2019 – present

Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2015 – present

Director of Emergency Department Quality Improvement

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2016 – present

Medical Director University Hospital Emergency Department

Education:

BS in Biochemistry (Summa cum laude)

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

MD Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO

MHA University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Residency in Emergency Medicine, Washington University

Saint Louis School of Medicine, Barnes Jewish Hospital

Saint Louis Children’s Hospital, Saint Louis, MO

Timothy Koboldt, MD, FACEP

Koboldt Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I have had the pleasure of being a part of Missouri ACEP since 2010, and have been a member of the Board of Directors since 2012 (first as a resident board member and then since 2014 as a regular board member). I have enjoyed working with colleagues throughout our state and advocating for our specialty on the state level at advocacy day and at the national level at the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference. Currently I am co-chair of the education committee for MOCEP and am the President-Elect. I hope to continue to serve on the MOCEP board during my tenure as President-Elect and later as President. My hope is to get more involved with national ACEP by serving as a Councilor. Thank you for your consideration!

Work History:

Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri – Columbia

Simulation Director, Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri – Columbia

Medical Education & Simulation Fellowship Director, Emergency Medicine

Education:

Masters of Academic Medicine (in progress) University of Missouri

Simulation Instructor Course, Harvard Center for Medical Simulation

ACEP Teaching Fellowship

Washington University Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Washington University Emergency Medicine Chief Resident

M.D. University of Missouri School of Medicine

BS Biology with Honors: University of Missouri Columbia

Melissa Kroll

Kroll Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I have had the honor to serve as a MOCEP board member since 2019. As a young physician in Missouri, I think it is critically important to continue to engage other young physicians in advocating for the future of Emergency Medicine in Missouri. If elected, I will work to increased resident and medical student engagement to increase the voice of Emergency Medicine. I will work with the board to provide relevant educational opportunities for all our membership, especially as Emergency Medicine innovates and evolves in the post-pandemic world. I will also continue to provide a strong voice for Emergency Medicine in Jefferson City.

Work History:

2018-Present, Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine

2016-2018, Christian Hospital, Clinical Physician

Education:

EMS Fellowship, Washington University
Saint Louis, MO

EM Residency, Washington University
Saint Louis, MO

Medical Degree, Carver College of Medicine
Iowa City, IA

Bachelor of Science, Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Jared Lammert, MD

Lammert Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

Thank you everyone for allowing me the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for this past year, and I hope to continue to serve our patients and our fellow members for this upcoming term. I have worked alongside MOCEP through advocacy days as a medical student, attended Leadership and Advocacy conferences in DC as a resident, and I have continued to support our goals at the most recent ACEP National Council meeting as an Alternative Councilor. One of goals for this legislative session is to continue and to advocate for physician lead care within the state of Missouri as it is currently being threatened with current legislation. Looking forward to working on your behalf.

Work History:

Education:

Chief Resident, Emergency Medicine Residency Program
University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri

Medical Doctor, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri

Bachelor of Sciences in Neuroscience, Minor in French, Magna Cum Laude University Honors Program
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri

Matthew Mollman, MD

Mollman Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I am Matt Mollman, an EM physician who trained at Baylor Scott & White in Texas and recently started as an associate professor at SSM SLU. As a native Saint Louisan and Missourian, I am eager to get involved in the broader EM community in our state. I feel strongly about advocating for our specialty and want to contribute to the ongoing efforts to shape EM in the ever-changing climate of healthcare. I have a passion for medical education which has only grown since participating heavily in 2022 annual TCEP Connect Conference. I helped redesign the resident portion of the conference, the ‘OlEMpics’, originally created by former TCEP president Dr. Craig Meek. The event is a residency-based competition that focuses on teaching the more intangible elements of EM such as leadership in medicine and emotional intelligence. As the co-chair of the OlEMpics committee, I was integral in creating the content and structure of the event including the didactics and SIM-based competitions. Additionally, I coordinated and ran the setup and implementation of the OlEMpics during the conference. I would love to bring a similar concept to MOCEP. Having had the opportunity to work with some truly influential colleagues and EM leaders in Texas, I believe I bring a unique perspective that can have a positive impact on the board. Being a board member for MOCEP would also provide me with the opportunity to help foster relationships between emergency medicine institutions in Missouri and promote our strong EM workforce.

Work History:

2022-present
Emergency Physician
SSM Saint Louis University Hospital St. Louis, MO

2019-2022

Emergency Physician

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Temple, TX
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital Temple, TX

2018-2019
Emergency Physician
Baylor Scott &white Health North Austin Region, TX

Education:
Degree: M.D.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Degree: B.S. Biology, Magna Cum Laude
Honors: SLU Dean’s List (2007-2010), SLU Dean’s Scholarship (2006-2010), Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship (2006-2010), Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society (2006-2010)
Saint Louis University

Jim O’Brien, MD

O'Brien Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I am looking for the opportunity to burgeon my early career as an academic physician. I hold a unique perspective in that COVID hit during my final year of residency, and the waves continued to crash as I proceeded to work for two years at a multiple-site (rural, suburban, urban) community practice. With my return to academics, I bring insight into fresh, evidence-based practice styles as well as the experience in diverse practice settings. I have always held a keen interest in policy measures, especially seeing how COVID has forced us to reexamine almost everything that we do, in and out of the ER. Now more than ever, I believe it is imperative to have frontline clinicians’ input into policy making.

If elected to the MOCEP Board, my primary intent would be to listen. I would listen to my colleagues, residents, the nurses I work with, and bring that perspective to the chapter. I would listen to the Board, the representatives from different regions, and bring that home. This opportunity will hopefully provide a foundation and network for me to build upon so we can continue to improve practice and the lives of physicians across the state.

Work History:

Present

Attending Emergency Physician at University Health, Truman Medical Center

2020-2022

Associate at Kansas Emergency Physicians

2019-2021

Emergency Medicine Physician at Docs Who Care

Education:

Emergency Medicine Residency, University of Missouri

Kansas City, Truman Medical Center

MD with Honors in Global Health

Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine: Chicago, IL

BA in Anthropology; Minors in Biology and Spanish

Undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis: St. Louis, MO

Joseph Schuster, DO

Schuster Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

My name is Joe Schuster and I am writing for your consideration for MOCEP board of directors. I am currently working at Mercy South in the ED. I trained at SLU for emergency medicine residency. I have been in practice for 8 years and have worked at several of the community departments in the city of St. Louis over that time. I deal with the many challenges you experience everyday working in a busy department. I think we need changes in the state to help provide safer and more efficient care to our patients. I will advocate for better emergency care for Missourians if elected. I will champion legislation that decreases or eliminates cuts to medicare and medicaid. I will continue to advocate for EMTALA reform. Emergency departments and physicians are a vital parts of our community and I will fight to protect them.

Work History:

2019-present

Attending Physician Emergency Department

Mercy South Medical Center

2015-2019

Attending Physician Emergency Department

SSM DePaul Medical Center

2016-2019

Assistant Medical Director

SSM DePaul Medical Center

Education:

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

A.T. Still University

Master’s of Science in Physiology

University of Missouri, Columbia

BS Biochemistry/Biology

University of Missouri, Columbia

Councilor Candidates

Leslie Hueschen, MD

Hueschen Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

I would like to be part of the MOCEP councilors more many reasons but especially the ability to bring a pediatric emergency medicine viewpoint to the committee. I completed my pediatric residency and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship and have been an attending at Children’s Mercy Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department for almost 10 years. I am currently helping found the pediatric MOCEP committee with hopes of increasing the pediatric readiness in Missouri emergency departments. I am currently our hospital wide sepsis medical director and our emergency department quality improvement medical director at Children’s Mercy Hospital. From both positions I have seen many ways that we can impact change and help with needs assessments to focus efforts. Utilizing my experience in these areas I think I would bring a diverse viewpoint to the committee with an eye for impactful change. This perspective and working on many multidisciplinary teams help me see different point of views and weighing options of impact prior to making decisions. Thank you for considering my nomination.

Work History:

2013-present

Attending Physician, Children’s Mercy Hospital

Emergency Department (ED)

University of Missouri – Kansas City/ Children’s Mercy Hospital

2021-present

Hospital Sepsis Medical Director

2023-present

Emergency Department Quality Improvement Medical Director

Education:

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship, University of Utah/Primary Childrens

Salt Lake City, UT

Pediatric Residency, University of Washington/Seattle Childrens,

Seattle, WA

M.D., Wayne State University School of Medicine,

Detroit, MI

B.S., Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan,

Ann Arbor, MI

Brian Bausano, MD, MBA, FACEP

Bausano Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

As President of MOCEP, I feel it is my responsibility to run for election as an ACEP Councilor. Emergency Medicine, while awakening from the fog of COVID-19, has years more to deal with the pandemic fallout. Special interests, private equity, and for-profit insurers would love for some things to not return to the way we practice the specialty we all love so dearly.

Unfortunately, we have all witnessed how physician cuts, decreased reimbursement, and less funding has led to less resources for patient care and increased physician burnout. This all leads to one thing we must fight against: poor patient care.

As ACEP Councilor and MOCEP President, I will ensure those practicing throughout our state have their voices heard on the national level and will work with other states to lead to a better practice environment for our sakes’ and in the end, the best patient care possible. A happy EM physician means a humming ED with excellent patient care. Everything we do at the state and national level should serve those ends.

I would be honored to serve you and this organization in this venue and help Missouri to lead the way out of the current climate we are in. Thank you for your consideration!

Work History:

2022-Present
Associate Medical Director, Barnes Jewish Hospital Emergency Department
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Advancement, Director of Faculty Recruiting, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2017-2022
Associate Residency Program Director, Director of Faculty Recruitment, Department of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2017-Present
Staff Physician, Barnes Jewish Hospital ED & Missouri Baptist Medical Center ED, Department of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2017-Present
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2014-2017
Residency Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2012-2014
Associate Residency Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2017-Present
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2012-2017
Staff Physician, University Hospital ED, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2010-2012
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2008-2010
Clinical Instructor of Emergency Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2008-2012
Staff Physician, Barnes Jewish Hospital ED, Barnes Jewish West Count Hospital ED, Division of Emergency Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Education:

Emergency Medicine Residency
Barnes Jewish Hospital-Washington University GME Consortium
St. Louis, MO

Doctor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX

MBA
Washington University Olin School of Business
St. Louis, MO
B.S. Biological Sciences with Minor in Theology

Marc Mendelsohn, MD

Mendelsohn Candidate Statement and Work Experience

Candidate Statement:

It has been an honor and a privilege serving as a councilor for MOCEP the past few years. This past fall, I was appointed by ACEP leadership to as a member of the council steering committee (Missouri is one of the only states to have 2 people selected!) and would love the chance to fulfill that role which is contingent on remaining a member of the council. I hope I can count on your continued support.

Work History:

2019-present

Washington University in Saint Louis Assistant Professor

2018-2019

Mount Sinai Beth Israel – Assistant Professor

2016-2018

The George Washington University- Research Instructor

Education:

MPH with focus in Health Policy

GW Milken School of Public Health

George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates Fellowship – Health Care Policy

Chief Resident Emergency Medicine

New York Methodist Hospital Residency -Emergency Medicine

Medical School
Stony Brook University

Brandeis University BA in Philosophy and Biology