PLATTSBURGH — Three University of Vermont Health Network Emergency Department physicians serving communities across New York’s North Country have been recognized as “Unsung Heroes of Emergency Medicine” by the New York Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Two of the physicians – Wendell Bliss, MD, Michael D’urso, MD – are part of a shared team of physicians and providers caring for patients in EDs at University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center and University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital.
Michael McMahon, MD, joined the ED of UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in 2014.
The shared staffing model brings together clinicians with fellowship residency training in emergency medicine and fellowship expertise in a wide range of sub-specialties, such as wilderness medicine and ultrasound, to care for rural communities in Vermont and northern New York.
The clinicians said they were honored to be recognized by ACEP and nominated by ED medical directors at UVM Health Network — Alice Hyde Medical Center, UVM Health Network -Elizabethtown Community Hospital and UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.
“It’s awesome to have people recognize that you’re doing good work,” said Bliss, who was nominated by Elizabethtown ED Medical Director Jordan Ship, MD, for his care of an obstetrical cardiac arrest patient in Elizabethtown’s ED.
“There are so many people every day who put forth that extra effort taking care of people; there’s a lot of camaraderie on our team.”
D’urso, who practices at Alice Hyde and UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital in Plattsburgh, was nominated by Alice Hyde ED Medical Director Gary Starr, MD, FACEP, for his exemplary care of patients and conscientious support of colleagues across Alice Hyde’s inpatient care team. He said the recognition was a heartwarming surprise.
“Working at Alice Hyde has been great. It’s such a small community, I’ll see a patient and they’ll tell me that I treated their other family members,” D’urso said.
“It’s nice to be appreciated. I always wanted to be a doctor to help people, and hearing that my medical director wanted to [spotlight] me for this is exciting.”
McMahon was nominated by CVPH ED Medical Director Nicholas Aunchman, MD, for his “creativity, compassion and commitment to excellence,” as well as his commitment to evidence-based care, improving clinical care and participation in a wide range of voluntary roles at the hospital, including leading CVPH’s Stroke Committee and serving on the Board of Directors for the Foundation of CVPH. He called being recognized an honor that made him reflect on the mentors and colleagues who have impacted his development as an emergency department physician.
“It’s been a humbling experience and very much an honor to be nominated – especially by Dr. Aunchman,” McMahon said.
“If I had the chance, there are so many colleagues I would share this with. Their expertise, professionalism and passion – I’ve taken it along with me, and I’m proud to work with physicians like Dr. Bliss and Dr. D’Urso and to be on the list with them.”
Starr, a US Air Force veteran and flight surgeon who joined Alice Hyde in 2023 and brings a background in family and emergency medicine to the hospital, said recognitions like ACEP’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ spotlight are important for ED physicians because of the nature of their work.
“It’s requires an intense amount of skill and compassion, and if you’re not associated with some tragic event that everyone hears about on the news, it’s often not recognized,” he said.
“This is a selfless job all the time and I’m proud of our physicians’ expertise, their professionalism and their kindness.”
The doctors were among more than two dozen ED physicians from across New York State highlighted by New York ACEP.
“Their impact goes well beyond those they directly treat,” wrote the New York chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, announcing the recognition.
“They train young clinicians, share their skills, knowledge and experience and are always willing to do whatever is needed for their patients and colleagues.”