TORRANCE (June 26, 2008) — The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) today named Diane M. Birnbaumer, M.D., FACEP, a "Hero of Emergency Medicine," an honor the organization bestows upon emergency physicians who have made significant contributions to emergency medicine, their communities and their patients.
Dr. Birnbaumer is the third Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) researcher to be named a "Hero of Emergency Medicine" by ACEP as part of its 40th anniversary celebration. ACEP previously bestowed the same honor on LA BioMed Researchers Marianne Gausche-Hill, M.D., FACEP, and Robert Hockberger, M.D., FACEP.
"Emergency physicians are on the front lines of America's health care system, providing the essential community service of emergency care," says ACEP President Linda L. Lawrence, M.D. "The dedication, passion and commitment Dr. Birnbaumer has shown embody the vision of ACEP's founders and the ideals of our specialty."
Dr. Birnbaumer is the associate program director of the department of emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a professor of clinical medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She is chair of ACEP's International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2008 Organizing Committee.
She is a long-standing member of ACEP's Education Committee and previously chaired the committee. She also served as a member of ACEP's Finance Committee and is a past board and executive committee member in California ACEP.
Dr. Birnbaumer has been recognized for her work with ACEP's "Outstanding Contribution to Education Award," as well as California ACEP's "Outstanding Contribution to Education Award." She has also been ACEP's "Outstanding Speaker of the Year" and is a Fellow in the International Federation for Emergency Medicine.
"The American College of Emergency Physicians is celebrating 40 years of advancing emergency care, and the nation's emergency physicians are dedicated to saving even more lives and to improving emergency care for the next 40 years," said Dr. Lawrence. "Tens of thousands of lives are saved each year by emergency physicians and 115 million patients are treated in the nation's emergency departments. Emergency physicians are medical specialists who are experts in their field."
About ACEP
ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with more than 25,000 members. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
About LA BioMed
Founded 56 years ago, LA BioMed is one of the country's largest not-for-profit independent biomedical research institutes. It conducts biomedical research, trains young scientists and provides community services, including childhood immunization, nutrition assistance and anti-gang violence programs. The institute's researchers conduct studies in such areas as cardio-vascular disease, emerging infections, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, dermatology, reproductive health, vaccine development, respiratory disorders, inherited illnesses and neonatology.
LA BioMed is an independent institute that is academically affiliated with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The institute is located on the campus of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center near Torrance.
It contributes to Los Angeles County's economic viability while inventing the future of health care through its ground-breaking research, its training of the scientists of tomorrow and its service to the local community. Please visit our website at www.LABioMed.org