Dr. Sarah Gilbert, immediate past president of ABPS, practiced emergency medicine for 35 years before retiring from Heywood Healthcare in Gardner and Athol, MA, where she served on multiple committees and was director of UMass Medical School student clerkships in the ED. She continues to practice medicine for Commonwealth Care Alliance in Boston as the medical director for their instED Mobile Integrated Health Division. Dr. Gilbert received her emergency medicine certification from the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) in 1997 and has been actively involved with the organization for almost 30 years, serving in numerous capacities with ABPS, BCEM, and the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP). She is currently a member of BCEM and the BCEM Oral Exam Committee and serves as co-chair of both the BCEM Credentialing Committee and Written Exam Committee. She is also a member of the ABPS Strategic Planning, Finance and Leadership Committees. Her previous honors and awards include AAEP Degree of Fellow; AAEP Physician of the Year; David G.C. McCann, MD, Devotion Award; Steven G. Carin, Jr., DO, “Giddy-up” Leadership Award; Thomas Ebner Leadership Award; and AAPS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Lingappa Amernath is currently practicing emergency medicine at Crouse Hospital and the VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. He is actively involved in international emergency medicine and has many affiliations including vice president of the Global Academy of Emergency Medicine (GAEM). He trained in India, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States and has organized and successfully conducted many international emergency medicine conferences overseas. Additionally, Dr. Amernath has been a speaker at numerous conferences in the US as well as internationally to promote emergency medicine. His previous positions include clinical assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine in India (AAEMI), and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) lead ambassador to India. Dr. Amernath is actively involved in AAPS and ABPS and has served as an oral examiner for the last 15 years. He has also served as chair of the Certification Council and a member of the Board of Directors, Strategic Planning Committee, and CME Committee. He has received multiple awards including Icon of Emergency Medicine by the Federation of Emergency Physicians, India for his contribution in developing and promoting emergency medicine in India for the past 25 years.

Dr. Jerry Allison is chief medical officer for Western Healthcare and serves as medical director for both Molina Healthcare of Texas and Offor Health (IHCare Plux, Mobile Integrated Health and SmileMD). He also directs an emergency medicine graduate training program for nurse practitioners. He has practiced emergency medicine, family medicine, and medical management for over 20 years, with more than 40 years of experience in EMS, education, clinical care, and leadership. Dr. Allison is a past president of ABPS and has been actively involved with the organization since receiving his emergency medicine certification in 2013. He has served on the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) and numerous ABPS/AAPS committees including the Strategic Planning Committee, Finance Committee, and Graduate Training Program Committee. Dr. Allison has played an integral role in organizational strategic planning and spreading awareness of ABPS. He has also made significant educational contributions to the organization with numerous CME presentations over the last decade. His prior honors and awards include the ABPS Outstanding Advocate Award, AAEP Degree of Fellow, AAEP Physician of the Year, Steven G. Carin, Jr., DO, “Giddy-up” Leadership Award, and the Thomas Ebner Leadership Award.

Dr. Leslie Mukau, president-elect of ABPS, is currently a clinical faculty member in emergency medicine at the University of California San Diego and implementation leader for the California Bridge program offering technical and logistical assistance to 14 hospitals in Southern California trying to build MAT programs and Bridge clinics. Dr. Mukau is board certified in emergency medicine and has been practicing emergency medicine for more than 30 years. Dr. Mukau is involved in opioid use disorder clinical research and is the recipient of numerous grants to study and implement medication for addiction treatment (MAT) programs. Dr. Mukau has played an integral role in AAPS educational initiatives, serving as chair of the CME Committee for 6 years and contributing 26 CME presentations since 2001. He has also served on the ABPS Finance Committee, Leadership Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP). His honors and awards include the Excellence in Education Award, AAEP Physician of the Year, Senior Achievement Award, and the Thomas Ebner Leadership Award.

Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States, was born to a poor immigrant family in New York City and experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his youth. His experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships among culture, health, education and economic status and ultimately shaped his future. After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967 where he received a GED. By the time he left active duty, Dr. Carmona was a Special Forces, combat-decorated Vietnam veteran. He became a surgeon with a sub-specialty in trauma, burns and critical care and was recruited to Tucson to establish the first trauma system in southern Arizona. Later, while working full time as a hospital and health system CEO, he earned a master’s degree in public health policy and administration at the University of Arizona. Dr. Carmona served for over 35 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, including as deputy sheriff, detective, SWAT team leader and department surgeon. Dr. Carmona is a nationally recognized SWAT expert and has published extensively on SWAT training and tactics, forensics, and tactical emergency medical support. Dr. Carmona has also served as a medical director of police and fire departments and is a fully qualified peace officer with expertise in special operations and emergency preparedness, including weapons of mass destruction.

Dr. Arthur Cooper is director of pediatric surgical and pediatric trauma services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem and professor emeritus and special lecturer in surgery at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also lead ethics consultant at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem and chair of the ethics council for the NYC Health + Hospitals enterprise. Dr. Cooper was trained in general surgery, pediatric surgery, and surgical critical care and is certified in all three specialties. He is also certified in disaster medicine and emergency medical services, and holds a certificate in bioethics and medical humanities. Since first becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Disaster Medicine (ABODM) in 2008, Dr. Cooper has devoted significant time and energy to AAPS/ABPS. He is a past president of ABPS and currently serves as chair of the Basic Documents Committee and a member of the Board of Directors, Leadership Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and ABODM. He is also a past president and fellow of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine (AADM) and has given numerous lectures on disaster medicine, bioterrorism, and medical ethics at AAPS/ABPS events. His other honors and awards include AADM Physician of the Year Award; David G.C. McCann, MD, Devotion Award; and the Thomas Ebner Leadership Award.

Dr. Ashish Anand is currently on staff at GV Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, MS. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS, and a professor at William Carey School of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, MS. Dr. Anand is actively involved in teaching residents, medical students, nurses, and physician assistants. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and has 25 years of experience in the specialty including fellowship training in adult reconstruction and sports medicine. Dr. Anand has made significant contributions to the field of orthopedic surgery including lead author of 11 book chapters, editor of 17 books, and numerous publications in prestigious national and international journals. Dr. Anand has also presented lectures as a faculty member at both national and international conferences and is an active member of various national and international orthopedic societies.

Dr. Donald Brown is currently on staff at Lake Granbury Medical Center in Granbury, TX. He is board certified in both dermatology and family medicine and has worked over 40 years as a medical practitioner, including 24 years of experience in the dermatology field. Dr. Brown has academic appointments with the Lake Granbury Medical Centers family medicine residency as well as its new dermatology residency. He earned his BS in Health Science; Physician Assistant from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1984 and went on to receive his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Science at Kansas City, MO, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1993. Dr. Brown has been board certified in family medicine since 1996 and has held his dermatology certification through ABPS since 2003. He has been a member of AAPS since 1999 and currently serves as a member of the Board of Certification in Dermatology.

Dr. Ashraf Gerges is a board-certified emergency physician practicing in several states in rural Midwest shortage areas. He obtained his medical degree in Cairo, Egypt, and completed his family medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he served as a chief resident in his final year. Dr. Gerges has lectured in emergency medicine and trauma both nationally and internationally and maintains active licensure in Nebraska, Iowa, Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. He has served in multiple capacities with ABPS, including currently serving as chair of the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). Dr. Gerges is also board certified in family medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Francesco Polizzi is currently chair of the imaging department at Episcopal Health Services in Far Rockaway, NY. He is board certified in radiology and has 25 years of experience in diagnostic radiology, including fellowship training in thoracic radiology. He is currently a member of the Board of Certification in Radiology (BCR). Prior to his present position, Dr. Polizzi was assistant professor at Columbia University Medical College where he served the communities of New York and Long Island. He also served on the New York Blood and Cancer committee and helped to facilitate the opening of a new diagnostic center in the community of Far Rockaway. Dr. Polizzi’s previous honors include BCR Physician of the Year and Doctor of the Year by Episcopal Health Services.

Dr. Michael Rommen is currently on staff at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, LA. He also serves as discipline chair of emergency medicine at the Louisiana campus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Rommen has over 10 years of experience in emergency medicine, including fellowship training at Alteon Health in Monroe, LA. He is board certified in emergency medicine by BCEM and family medicine by ABFM. Prior to his present position, Dr. Rommen was an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma – Tulsa, School of Community Medicine, where he served as faculty for the family medicine residency. At Community Memorial Hospitals across Oklahoma and Louisiana, he has served on the emergency medicine and cardiology committees. Dr. Rommen has also participated in public health service through the CDC and has extensive global medical mission experience.

Dr. Karyn Condie is an assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and a medical officer for the United States Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. She spent 27 years as a military physician receiving additional training in austere medicine. Dr. Condie’s past positions include division director of global health medicine at USUHS, chief flight surgeon at Joint Base Andrews, and assistant product line chair for trauma at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She is board certified in family medicine (ABMS), disaster and administrative medicine (ABPS), aerospace physiology (AsMA), lifestyle medicine (DiABLM), and obesity medicine (DABOM). Additionally, she holds the Diploma in Mountain Medicine and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. Dr. Condie is actively involved with ABPS/AAPS, currently serving as chair of the American Board of Administrative Medicine, governor of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine, and a member of the Certification Council, Leadership Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. Her honors and awards include Delta Omega Honor Society, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, and Aerial Achievement Medals.

Dr. Lawrence LeBlond is board certified in family medicine and emergency medicine, completing a residency and a fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). He is a full-time emergency physician for Methodist Hospitals of Memphis, TN, and he is a clinical assistant professor at UTHSC, clinical associate professor with Christian Brothers University, and adjunct clinical faculty with Lincoln Memorial University. Dr. LeBlond is also the faculty advisor for the University of Tennessee’s Wilderness, Austere, and Remote Student Interest Group; chair of the Wilderness Medical Society’s CME and Academy Oversight Committee; and a member of the GME Fellowship Workgroup. He has been involved with ABPS/AAPS since 2018, currently serving as president of AAEP and a member of the BCEM written exam and blueprint committees. Dr. LeBlond has been a recipient of the Wilderness Medical Society Denali, Matterhorn, and Dian Simpkins Service Awards, Sound Physicians Educator of the Year, and University of Tennessee Community Physician Award.

Dr. Arti Prasad is the chief strategic development officer at Hennepin Healthcare (HHS) in Minneapolis, MN. She is a Professor of Internal Medicine at University of Minnesota, at University of New Mexico, and an adjunct Professor at the Maharishi International University (MIU) as the Director of Fellowship MS in Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda, a first ever fellowship world-wide. Dr. Prasad is board certified in internal medicine and integrative medicine, and she is a founding board member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM). She is also a Certified Professional Diversity Coach and a Certified Physician Executive. Dr. Prasad serves on the Board of Directors of HHS and chairs the Mission Effectiveness Committee. She also directs Project ECHO Minnesota, and she is working on upstream prevention of opioid crisis and integrative pain care to reduce health disparities in Minnesota. Dr. Prasad’s passion is to provide person-centered care, to create innovative programs in whole health, to mentor and coach people, to promote health equity, and to improve work-force wellness.

Dr. Albert Romanosky was a dedicated member of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine (AADM) and the American Board of Disaster Medicine (ABODM) for many years before his passing on May 12, 2025. He was also a dedicated civil servant serving as medical director and state emergency preparedness coordinator in the Office of Preparedness and Response of the Maryland Department of Health. Dr. Romanosky was certified by ABPS in emergency medicine and disaster medicine and was a recognized subject matter expert (SME) in both specialties, participating in several federal and state panels and workgroups. Additionally, he taught and presented at the international level as an SME and instructor in weapons of mass destruction and hospital-based management of mass casualty events for the US State Department’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program. His honors and awards include the AADM Distinguished Service Award and the David G.C. McCann, MD, Devotion Award.

Dr. John Waits is a practicing, board-certified family medicine and obstetrics physician and has a particular interest in healthcare policy and how it touches women and children in terms of maternity and infant care; the rural poor; healthcare access; and the care of the uninsured and underinsured. He attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at In His IMAGE Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, OK, as well as a surgical family medicine obstetrics fellowship at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Waits is the co-founder and CEO of Cahaba Medical Care, a Community Health Center (Federally Qualified Health Center) established in 2004 in rural Bibb County, AL. Since its founding, the organization has grown to serve nearly 47,000 patients across 27 offices throughout central Alabama. Together in 2013, Dr. Waits and Dr. Lacy Smith co-founded the Cahaba Family Medicine Residency, where he serves as program director and DIO. He has also been actively involved in the Board of Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics since 2016.