Dr. Elisa Aponte appointed Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Dr. Elisa Aponte is an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine and the assistant director of emergency ultrasound. Dr. Aponte plays a key role in ultrasound education and training for the Department of Emergency Medicine in addition to managing the clinical schedule for the adult emergency medicine faculty. As assistant director of clinical services, Dr. Aponte will work with ED physicians and nursing leadership to ensure and enhance operational efficiencies, workflows, patient experience, and inter-departmental and institutional relationships and initiatives. Dr. Aponte received her medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at NYU School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center. She then completed a fellowship in Emergency Ultrasound at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital Center.
Dr. Alex Fortenko appointed Director of Clinical Innovation
Dr. Alex Fortenko currently serves as Associate Director of Telemedicine and assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine. Alex has been instrumental in expanding the Department’s initiatives in telemedicine and clinical innovation. His accomplishments include managing the Department’s Remote Patient Monitoring program and its follow-up program for COVID patients seen via the telemedicine service. He also played a significant role in transitioning the Virtual Urgent Care program to Epic. In his new role, Dr. Fortenko will oversee several departmental innovation programs as well as virtual care quality standards. He earned his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where he served as chief resident.
Dr. Peter Greenwald appointed Vice Chair of Clinical Strategy and Innovation
Dr. Greenwald has been with our Department for more than a decade, most recently serving as the Director of Telemedicine and Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine. He has played an integral role in the Department’s innovation and virtual care initiatives. Dr. Greenwald is a national leader in the field of telemedicine and the recipient of several awards, including the Emergency Care Innovation of the Year Award and the 2022 Jeanne and Herbert Siegel Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine. In his new role, Dr. Greenwald will oversee all innovation initiatives and also expand our global virtual care footprint. Dr. Greenwald graduated from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Jacobi Medical Center.
Dr. Maria Lame appointed Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Maria Lame is the current diversity champion for the Department of Emergency Medicine and a key member of our DiversifiED program. She is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and the Associate Director of Pediatric Telemedicine. Dr. Lame has spearheaded numerous programs focused on diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging at the institutional, regional and national levels. She serves as a mentor for the WCM Diversity Center of Excellence Mentorship Cascades Program and Underrepresented in Medicine (UriM) pediatric residents. As Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she will continue to lead the Department’s efforts to promote and facilitate cultural transformation around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Over her career, Dr. Lame has received several awards, including the 2022 Pioneer in Diversity Bruce Lain Ballard, MD Award. Dr. Lame graduated from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine and completed her Pediatric residency training at Jacobi Medical Center. She subsequently completed a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at NYU School of Medicine/Bellevue Hospital Center.
Dr. Amos Shemesh appointed Director of Clinical and Faculty Affairs
Dr. Amos Shemesh currently serves as Assistant Director of Clinical Services for the Department of Emergency Medicine and as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine. Since joining the Department in 2016, Dr. Shemesh has made significant contributions to the Department’s operational, quality, and patient experience initiatives, including code sepsis, ED-IM electronic handoff, ED disaster preparedness, and hospital throughput. He serves on several national committees, including the ACEP Disaster Preparedness Committee and the PO Practice Management Subcommittee. In addition to his current responsibilities, Dr. Shemesh will also oversee several department initiatives related to compliance, recruitment, and efficiency. Dr. Shemesh is a graduate of the University Of Vermont College Of Medicine; he completed his Emergency Medicine residency training at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as Chief Resident.
