2026 FOEM Competition Winners
Case Study
1st Place (TIE) – Pseudohypoglycemia in the Setting of Sepsis Shock from Necrotizing Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
Official Presenter: Vincent A. Abiona, MD, MPH - Jefferson Health Northeast
Project Authors: Vincent A. Abiona, MD, MPH; Elizabeth Paterek, MD, FAAEM; Scott Plasner, DO, FACOEP-D, FACOI, FAAEM
1st Place (TIE) – A Case of Trauma Induced Angioedema in the Emergency Department
Official Presenter: Katarina R. Werst, DO - Loyola University Medical Center
Project Authors: Katarina R. Werst, DO; Jacqueline M. Dziedzic, DO, FACEP, FACOEP
2nd Place – Ingestion of Oil of Wintergreen Causing Salicylate Toxicity: A Case Report
Official Presenter: Madison Gackle, BS, OMS-II - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Madison Gackle, BS; Kiratpreet Sraa, BS; Yousef Sarameh, BS; Jacob Barnard, MS; Diana Lalitsasivimol, PhD; Anthony Santarelli, PhD; Stefan Merrill, MD; John Ashurst, DO, EdD, MS
3rd Place – A Rare and Rapid Case of Crutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Presenting in the Emergency Department
Official Presenter: Jacqueline M. Dziedzic, DO, FACEP, FACOEP - Loyola University Medical Center
Project Authors: Kelsey Bacidore, MD; Jacqueline M. Dziedzic, DO, FACEP, FACOEP
New Innovations
1st Place: A Novel High-Fidelity Surgical Airway Trainer Using 3D-Printed Tracheas with Biologic Tissue Overlays
Official Presenter: Thomas Creech, OMS-III; Huda Faiz, OMS-II; Ciera Causey, OMS-I - Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Michael Dever; Ciera Causey, OMS-I; Huda Faiz, OMS-II; Brett Glass, Bruno Pita; Charles Murrah
2nd Place: Improving Procedural Education Using a Multifaceted Procedural Manual
Official Presenter: Liesl Prather, DO - Integris Health
Project Authors: Liesl Prather, DO; Tyler Stephens, DO; Jeffrey Shipman, DO; Keithen Cast, DO; Steven Roberts, DO; Jeffrey Golightly, MD; Kelly Painter, MD; Keri Smith, DO; Jithin Jose, DO
3rd Place: Strengthening SANE Workforce Capacity: Training Adequacy, Emotional Burden, and the Impact of Simulation-Based Education
Official Presenter: Kayla Jackson, OMS-II - VCOM Auburn
Project Authors: Kayla Jackson, OMS-II; Halle Mitchell, MPH; Allison Kennedy, RN; Nathan Douthit, MD
2025 FOEM Competition Winners
Oral Abstract
1st Place – Retrospective Analysis of Central Line Complication Rates in a Rural Community Setting
Official Presenter: Kiratpreet Sraa, OMS-II - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Kirapreet Sraa, BS; Madison Gackle, BS; Jacob Barnard, MS; Yousef Sarameh, BS; Adam Dawson DO; Jacqueline Neff, BBA; Tyrus Nelson, BS; Diana Lalitsasivimol, PhD; Anthony Satarelli, PhD; John Ashurst, DO
2nd Place – Assessing Treatment Compliance of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections to Published Guidelines
Official Presenter: Madison Gackle, BS - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Madison Gackle, BS; Kirapreet Sraa, BS; Yousef Sarameh, BS; Jacob Barnard, MS; Jacqueline Neff, BBA; Tyrus Nelson, BS; Diana Lalitsasivimol, PhD; Anthony Satarelli, PhD; Derek Meeks, DO; John Ashurst, DO, EdD, MS
3rd Place – Race, Income, Insurance, and Transfers for Hospitalized Pediatric emergency Department Patients
Official Presenter: Teddie Dombrowski, BS, OMS-II - LECOM - Erie
Project Authors: Teddie Dombrowski, BS, OMS-II; Aman Ahuja, BS, OMS-II; Emily Frack, DO; Jestin N. Carlson, MD, MS, MHA; Dhimitri Nikolla, DO, MS
CPC Competition
Residents
1st Place – Blake Chatham, DO – Norman Regional
Case: First Time Seizure
2nd Place – Katarina Werst, DO – Loyola University Medical Center
Case: Your Favorite Chief Complaint: Weakness
3rd Place – Dulari Patel, DO – South Brooklyn Health
Case: Splitting Up and Surviving - The Case of an Extensive Aortic Dissection
Faculty
1st Place – Shawn Quinn, DO - Lehigh Valley Health Network
Case: Teenage Fever Dream
2nd Place (TIE) – Jennifer Jozefick, DO - Tower Health Reading Hospital
Case: First Time Seizure
2nd Place (TIE) – Nancy Weber, DO, FACOEP, FACEP, MBA - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
Case: Your Favorite Chief Complaint: Weakness
3rd Place – Natalie Siegfried, DO - Norman Regional
Case: Severe Infectious Refractory Keratitis Requiring Escalated Antimicrobial Therapy and Surgical Intervention
Case Study
1st Place – Nontraumatic Pneumorrhachis Secondary to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Official Presenter: Samantha Cook, MD - Garnet Health Medical Center
Project Authors: Samantha Cook, MD; Christian Spano, MD; Thomas Liu, DO
2nd Place – Spontaneous Splenic Vein Rupture: A Rare Case Presentation
Official Presenter: Brittany Franco, DO - Broward Health
Project Authors: Brittany Franco, DO; Amanda Karski, MD; Kevin Boehm; DO
3rd Place – Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Fracture: An Uncommon Reason for Shunt Failure
Official Presenter: Claudine Feliciano, DO - Loyola University Medical Center
Project Authors: Claudine Feliciano, DO
New Innovations
1st Place: Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Hands of Fourth-Year Medical Students: Knowledge, Accuracy, and Informed Decisions
Official Presenter: Ying Wu, DO; Doris Ilic, DO - St. Joseph's University Medical Center
Project Authors: Ying Wu, DO; Doris Ilic, DO; Nicole Yuzuk, DO; Jerome Balbin, MD
2nd Place: Enhancing Confidence and Understanding in Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Official Presenter: Morganne O'Brien, DO - Abrazo health Network
Project Authors: M. O'Brien, DO; D. Dearmon-Moore, MD; S. Strash, MS2; M.Graber, MD, PhD
3rd Place: Effects of Racial Discordance Upon Smoking Cessation Between Advisors and Emergency Department Patients
Official Presenter: David Funk, DO; Matthew Merchant, DO; Zachary Taylor, DO - Corewell Health Lakeland
Project Authors: David Funk, DO; Matthew Merchant, DO; Zachary Taylor, DO; Rachelle Pichot; Renee Dryer; Matthew Hysell, MD
2024 FOEM Competition Winners
Research Study Poster
1st Place – Emergency Department Interfacility Transfers Requiring Critical Procedures Are Increasing
Official Presenter: Dhimitri Nikolla, DO, MS - Allegheny Health Network, Erie, PA
Project Authors: Dhimitri Nikolla, DO, MS; Anthony Battista, DO; Mathew Poremba, DO; Philip Nawrocki, MD; Chadd Nesbit, MD, PhD; Jestin N. Carlson, MD, MS, MHA
2nd Place – Frontline Transparency: Evaluating Data Sharing Statements in Leading Emergency Medicine Journals
Official Presenter: Faith Hendrickson, BS - Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Faith Hendrickson, BS, MD; Hossain, BS; Jacob Duncan, BA; Brody Dennis, BS; Alex Hagood, BSN; Taylor Gardner, BS; Eli Oldham, BS; Eli Paul, BS; Alicia Ito Ford, PhD; Matt Vassar, PhD
3rd Place – Concordance and Agreement Between COMLEX-USA Level 2 to USMLE Step 2 Conversion Tools
Official Presenter: Danielle Deegan - Allegheny Health Network, Erie, PA
Project Authors: Danielle Deegan; Brandon M. Dedrick; Emily Frack; Aman Ahuja; Richard Rowland, MD; Dhimitri A. Nikolla, DO, MS
Research Paper
1st Place – Comparing Sensitivity/Specificity of Computed Tomography and Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis in the Rural Setting
Official Presenter: Lucas Gerbasi, OMS-III - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kingman Regional Medical Center
Project Authors: Lucas Gerbasi, OMS-III; Brian Goss, MD; Tanja Gunsberger, DO, FACOS; Anthony Santarelli, PhD; John Ashurst, DO, DEd, MSc, FACEP, FACOEP
2nd Place – The Epidemiology of Osteopathic Diagnoses and Treatments in United States Emergency Departments from 2018 to 2021
Official Presenter: Aviya DiStefano - Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Aviya DiStefano; Hanna Harris; Kaitlin M. Bowers, DO; Dhimitri Nikolla, DO, MS
Oral Abstract
1st Place – Curb to Needle: A Five-Year Descriptive Analysis Evaluating a Mobile Stroke Unit in A Suburban EMS System
Official Presenter: Eric Wetzel, DO - Jefferson Northeast
Project Authors: Eric Wetzel, DO; Zacahry Weisner, DO; Marina Ulhaq, DO; Matthew Kening, DO; Alvin Wang, DO, Gerald Wydro, MD
2nd Place – Influence of In-Shift Cardiovascular Exercise on Cognitive Performance and Emotional Well-being of Emergency Medicine Resident Physicians During Different Work Periods
Official Presenter: Christine DePope, DO - SLUHN Bethlehem EM Residency
Project Authors: Christine DePope, DO; Meriam Deeb, MSIV; Philip Salen, MD; Jill Stoltzfus, PhD; Holly Stankewicz, DO
3rd Place – Osteopathic Diagnoses and Treatments Among United States Trauma Patients
Official Presenter: Hanna Harris, MS2 - Campbell University, Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Hanna Harris, MS2; Aviya DiStefano, MS2; Kaitlin Bowers, DO; Dhimitri A. Nikolla, DO, MS
CPC Competition
Residents
1st Place – Shaylor Klein, DO – Jefferson Health Northeast
Case: Let's Break it Down: A Case of Hypokalemia-Induced Rhabdomyolysis
2nd Place – Jacquelyn Kohler, MD – Lehigh Valley Health Network
Case: Confusing Confusion
3rd Place – Palna Kapadia, DO – Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital
Case: Dental Pain is the WORST!
Faculty
1st Place – Jeffrey Kuklinski, DO, MBA - Lehigh Valley Health Network
Case: Let's Break it Down: A Case of Hypokalemia-Induced Rhabdomyolysis
2nd Place – Jessica Schumann, DO - Jefferson Health Northeast
Case: Confusing Confusion
3rd Place – Meaghan Reid, Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital
Case: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Case Study
1st Place – A Case of Bilateral Tubo-Ovarian Abscesses that Caused Acute Onset of Abdominal Pain
Official Presenter: Eli Johnson, DO - AdventHealth, Orlando, FL
Project Authors: Eli Johnson, DO; Shannon Caliri, DO; Jerome Clayton, MD
2nd Place – Neck of the Woods: A Chiropractic Twist Resulting in Vertebral Artery Dissection
Official Presenter: Rebecca Heffner, DO - AdventHealth, Orlando, FL
Project Authors: Rebecca Heffner, DO; Sean Choi, MD
3rd Place – Oculocardiac Reflex in Facial Trauma
Official Presenter: Kacper Bury, OMS-III, Garnet Health Medical Center
Project Authors: Kacper Bury, OMS-III; Michael Mascola, DO; Thomas Liu, DO
New Innovations
1st Place: Introduction and Implementation of a Low-Cost Resuscitative Thoracotomy Model in Training of the Procedure
Official Presenter: Ethan Kromberg, OMS-II, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Project Authors: Ethan Kromberg, OMS-II; Harrison Steins, MS, OMS-II; Alexandra Taylor, OMS-I; Anatalaia Kerstan, OMS-I; Sarah Boulos, DO
2nd Place: Development and Implementation of a Multiple-Use Anatomically Complex Cricothyrotomy Model
Official Presenter: Adriana Facciano, MD; St. Luke's University Hospital
Project Authors: Adriana Facchiano, MD; Emily Garey, RN, BSN; Megan Augustine, M.Ed; John M. Pester, DO
3rd Place: Examination of Medical Resident Training on Caring for Adult Patients Reporting Recent Sexual Assault
Official Presenter: Jalicia Sturdivant, DO, LewisGale Medical Center
Project Authors: Jalicia Sturdivant, DO; Caroline Minton; Esther Piervil, PhD; Hilary Linderman, PhD, Theresa Forty, DO; Beverly Nyokabi, MD
2023 FOEM Competition Winners
Research Poster
2023 Poster Competition Winners
1st – Natalie Siegfried – Norman Regional Hospital, OSU Emergency Medicine Residency
2nd – Jean-Dominique Foureau – Broward Health
3rd – January Moore – Broward Health
Oral Abstract
1st – Kristina Domanski – Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
2nd – Grace MacMillan – New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine – Old Westbury
3rd – Nathan Hollister – Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
CPC Competition
Residents
1st – Angel Shavalier – Norman Regional
2nd – Rachel Kern – Jefferson Northeast EM/FM
3rd – Ashley Mawhinney – Jefferson Northeast EM
Faculty
1st – John Schroeder
Tie for 2nd – Jeffrey Gardecki
Tie for 2nd – Olubunmi Olarewaju
Research Paper
1st – Nina Cast – Integris Southwest Medical Center
Case Study
1st Place – Keep Your Eyes Peeled: An Unusual Cause of Eye Redness and Swelling
Official Presenter: Matthew Lam, BS, University of Illinois Chicago, IL
Project Authors: Matthew Lam BS, Rebecca Raven MD, Stacy J. Hooker MD, Pholaphat Inboriboon MD
2nd Place – Unsuspected Ingestion from Garden Plant Could Have Been Fatal
Official Presenter: Nataliya Makhdumi, MS, OMS III, Garnet Health Medical Center, NY
Project Authors: Dr. Michael Mascola, DO, PGY II, Nataliya Makhdumi, MS, OMS III, Dr. Avindra Ramnarain DO, Dr. Thomas Liu, MS, DO.
3rd Place (TIE) – Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, and Tension Pneumothorax in an Adolescent Patient with Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Official Presenter: Kathleen Fleming, DO, Desert Regional Medical Center, CA
Project Authors: Kathleen Fleming, DO; Tara Billings, DO, MPH, FAAP
3rd Place (TIE) – Mosquitoes, Monsoons & Meningoencephalitis: Identifying West Nile Virus Meningoencephalitis in an Elderly Patient
Official Presenter: Kelsey Newbold, OMS III, Midwestern University, AZ
Project Authors: Kelsey Newbold OMS III, Alice Lee MD, Charles Finch DO
New Innovations
1st Place: Novel Portable Training Model for Skull Trephination by Non-Neurosurgeons​
Project Authors: Julia Schearer, BS; Sammie Sposet, BS; David Ross, DO; Danielle Kowal, BA
Institution: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
2nd Place: The Role of Direct Order Entry for Medical Students in the Emergency Department
Project Authors: Mohamad Moussa MD; Caroline Kraft; Andrew Throckmorton MPH; Stephen Grider, DO
Institution: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
3rd Place: Development and Implementation of a Pediatric Emergency Department Asthma Pathway in the Community Hospital
Project Authors: Brooke Atkinson, DO; Krysten Newcomer, DO; Tara Billings, DO, MPH, FAAP
Institution: Desert Regional Medical Center
2022 FOEM Competition Winners
Case Study
1st Place: Kay Nicole Tipton DO, MS / UNC Health Southeastern
2nd Place: Kelly Ng, DO / Garnet Health Medical Center
3rd Place – Tie
Meredith Mishler, DO and McKenzie Warshel, MSIV / Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
– and –
Michael Mascola, DO / Garnet Health Medical Center
New Innovations
1st Place: Bradley Carney, DO and McKenzie Warshel, MSIV / Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
2nd Place: Adam Pasquinelly, BS, MS / University of Toledo
3rd Place: Laura Miller, MD and Alan Mundakkal, DO / University of Toledo
2021 FOEM Competition Winners
Case Study
1st Place: Sabrina Harrell, MD and TaReva Warrick-Stone, DO/ Jefferson Health Northeast
2nd Place: Germain Rival DO, MPH and Onyi Okorji, DO/ Jefferson Health Northeast
3rd Place: Adam Schefkind, MD/ Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
New Innovations
1st Place: Joseph Ray, MD/ Advent Health Orlando
2nd Place: Justina Truong, DO/ Kingman Regional Medical Center
3rd Place: Shane Sergent, DO/ Kingman Regional Medical Center
View 2021 Virtual FOEM Competition
2019 FOEM Competition Winners
Case Study
1st Place: Orhay Mirzapolos, DO/ Midwestern University
2nd Place: Kevin McLendon, DO/ Merit Health
3rd Place: Kathryn Bartlett, DO/ Lehigh Valley
New Innovations
1st Place Zachary Hampton, DO/ Doctors Hospital
2nd Place 3-way Tie:
Angela Carrick, DO, FACOEP/ Norman Regional
Andrew Kalnow, DO/ Doctors Hospital
Kevin McLendon, DO/ Merit Health
2017 FOEM Competition Winners
Case Study
Spring 2017 1st Place Resident Winner: Shane Sergent, D.O. / Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, PA (PDF)
2016 FOEM Competition Winners
CPC Competition
Fall 2016 1st Place Resident Winner: Angela Kuehn, D.O. / Aria Health, Philadelphia, PA (PDF)
Research Study Poster
Fall 2016 1st Place Winner: Lauren Segal, D.O. / Aria Health, Philadelphia, PA (PDF)
Research Paper Competition
Fall 2016 1st Place Winner: Brian Lehnhof, D.O. / Kent Hospital, Warwick, RI (PDF)
Oral Abstract
Fall 2016 1st Place Winner: Joshua Spicer, D.O. / Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Jackson, MI (PDF)
Case Study
Spring 2016 1st Place Winner: Olivia Reed, D.O. / Norman Regional Health Systems, Norman, OK Abstract - PDF / Poster - PDF
2015 FOEM Competition Winners
CPC Competition
Fall 2015 1st Place Resident Winner: Adam Sadowski, D.O. / Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling, WV (PDF)
Research Study Poster
Fall 2015 1st Place Winner: Jake Halvorson, D.O. / St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren, MI (PDF)
Research Paper Competition
Fall 2015 1st Place Winner: Stefan Meyering, D.O. / Lakeland Health, St. Joseph, MI (PDF)
Oral Abstract
Fall 2015 1st Place Winner: Nicholas Graff, D.O. / Lakeland Health, St. Joseph, MI (PDF)
Case Study
Spring 2015 1st Place Winner: Michaeleena Carr, D.O. / Aria Health, Philadelphia, PA (Abstract - PDF) / (Poster - PDF)
2014 FOEM Competition Winners
CPC Competition
Fall 2014 1st Place Resident Winner: Neeraja Murali, D.O. / McLaren Oakland, Pontiac, MI (PDF)
Fall 2014 1st Place Faculty Winner: Jennifer Axelband, D.O. / St. Luke's, Bethlehem, PA
Research Study Poster
Fall 2014 1st Place Winner: Jeremy Kadish, D.O. / St. Luke's, Bethlehem, PA (Poster - PDF)
Research Paper Competition
Fall 2014 1st Place Winner: Brian Taylor, D.O. / Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph, MI (Paper - PDF)
Oral Abstract
Fall 2014 1st Place Winner: Sammie Margaritas, D.O. / Midwestern University, Chicago, IL (Abstract - PDF)
Case Study
Spring 2014 1st Place Winner: Karan Palmer, D.O. / St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY (Abstract - PDF) / (Poster - PDF)
2013 FOEM Competition Winners
Research Study Poster
Fall 2013 1st Place Winner: Dr. Gannon, D.O. / St. Vincent Medical Center, Erie, PA (Poster - PDF)
Research Paper Competition
Fall 2013 1st Place Winner: Dr. Ryan Misek, D.O. / Franciscan St. James Health System, Olympia Fields, IL (Paper - PDF) / (Charts - PDF)
Oral Abstract
Fall 2013 1st Place Winner: Dr. Vitello, D.O. / Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Suffern, NY (PDF)
Case Study
Spring 2013 1st Place Winners: Justin McNamee D.O. and Nilesh Patel D.O. / St. Joseph's RMC (Abstract - PDF) / (Poster - PDF)
2012 FOEM Competition Winners
CPC Competition
Fall 2012 1st Place Winner: Michelle L. Ischayek / Aria Health (PDF)
Research Study Poster
Fall 2012 1st Place Winner: Katie Ippolito / Midwestern University (PDF)
Research Paper
Fall 2012 1st Place Winner: Jill Donofrio / Kent Hospital (PDF)
Oral Abstract
Fall 2012 1st Place Winner: Shannon Weinstein / Good Samaritan (PDF)
Case Study
Spring 2012 1st Place Winner: Sarah Whyte / Kent Hospital (Abstract - PDF) / (Poster - PDF)