Brain Ahern, PA-C, Winner of the SEMPA/Rosh Review One Step Further Award

We are proud to announce the 2019 winner of the SEMPA/Rosh Review One Step Further Award as Brian Ahern, PA-C, of William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

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The One Step Further award is given to an EMPA who exemplifies the ideals of continuous learning and self-improvement, and who takes it upon themselves to go one step further to improve a weakness or accelerate a strength.

Brian has demonstrated admirable leadership and self-directed improvement in clinical and academic medicine and medical research. As an Emergency Ultrasound fellow, Brian regularly trains physician residents, EMPA residents, military PAs, PA students, and military medics. Being a clinical instructor of ultrasound and emergency medicine challenges him to obtain in-depth knowledge of topics, enabling him to be a better bedside clinician. 

In a letter of recommendation, Major Eric Wagner, Research Director of the U.S. Army-Baylor University EMPA Residency Program, Madigan Army Medical Center, writes, “Brian’s recent contributions as a researcher in original, clinical investigations were significant. Brian was part of a team awarded over $400,000 through the Department of Defense Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program to evaluate novel ultrasound equipment for our combat medic population.…Additionally, Brian independently developed six protocols for prospective, clinical trials, in line with the Army Medical Specialists Corps’ recommended areas of research. For these protocols, Brian continues to network with industry, collaboratively working with two national and one international US pioneering companies. With Brian’s mentorship, a current EMPA resident and fellow SP Corps officer built upon one of these existing protocols, enabling him to successfully initiate a research project and begin collecting data.”

He continues, “Following appointment as Assistant Professor in 2019 by Baylor University, Brian was handpicked to become the next director of research at the Ft. Bliss U.S. Army-Baylor University EMPA residency program site, where Brian will continue to build upon his experience with ongoing research in military and emergency medicine. In this position, Brian will take on an active leadership role serving current and future EMPA residents, providing mentorship and influence on future research projects. It is because of Brian’s cumulative efforts, as well as the unlimited potential for success as a leader in clinical medicine and research, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the SEMPA/Rosh Review One Step Further Award!”

Brian received $1,000 as the award for his excellent work.