10/17/2013

Leadership Development Academy Member Spotlight – Dr. Baruch Fertel

On September 11, 2001, Dr. Baruch Fertel was an EMS responder to the World Trade Center. Understandably, the events of that day changed his perspective on many aspects of his life. Among these changes, his experience led him to rethink his intended career in nonprofit/healthcare administration in favor of returning to school to pursue a career in emergency medicine.

Though born in Boston, Dr. Fertel grew up in New York City where he eventually attended New York University School of Medicine. At NYU, his interest in disaster preparedness led him to co-author three publications on the subject. After receiving his medical degree, he moved to Ohio to complete his residency at the University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine Residency Program. While in Cincinnati, Dr. Fertel flew as a flight physician for UC AirCare and served as Assistant Medical Director of EMS for the suburb of Deer Park - Silverton.

During his residency, Dr. Fertel was actively involved in EMRA, serving as vice-chair of two committees and as a member of the Editorial Board for the organization’s EM Resident magazine. He also co-authored a paper on ED utilization which was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Emergency Department operations, emergency medicine leadership, EMS, opiate use and addiction, and public policy are all areas of professional interest for Dr. Fertel. In 2009 and 2012, these professional interests spurred him to travel to Washington, DC with Ohio ACEP for the ACEP Leadership & Advocacy Conference. The experience reinforced his dedication to advocacy, policy, and leadership.

Becoming a member of Ohio ACEP’s Leadership Development Academy was a natural next step for Dr. Fertel. He is excited about the opportunities LDA will provide to advocate for his patients, his medical specialty, and his fellow emergency physicians.

In addition to his involvement with Ohio ACEP, Dr. Fertel serves on two National ACEP committees and on a membership taskforce. In July, Dr. Fertel became an attending physician at Cleveland Clinic. He enjoys living in Northeast Ohio, even though he admits he’s still getting used to the rain and colder weather. His move from New York to Ohio turned out to be a great fit for Dr. Fertel, and he has gladly adopted the Buckeye State as his home.

Dr. Fertel is happily married. He and his wife, an architect and project manager, have three kids, ages 10, 8 and 1. In his free time, Dr. Fertel enjoys spending time with his family, having an occasional Sam Adams beer—which he attributes to his Boston roots—and watching Saturday Night Live.