Emergency Medicine & Critical Care

Providing care to patients of all ages at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix and Valleywise Health Emergency Care Center in Maryvale and working with physician colleagues across medical specialties, District Medical Group (DMG) includes emergency medicine and critical care specialists including:

Board certified physicians
Nurse practitioners
Physician assistants

DMG emergency medicine and critical care physicians stabilize and treat patients who are experiencing acute health problems or traumatic injuries. Depending on the severity of condition, illness or injury, the patient may be treated and released from the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital for additional care by appropriate medical specialists.

Education Programs

As part of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance and in partnership with Valleywise Health, DMG offers the following residency program supporting emergency medicine:

Emergency Medicine Residency

In addition, DMG offers an undergraduate medical clerkship and/or rotation for students in emergency medicine:

Emergency Medicine Rotation

For more information on DMG’s commitment to educating Arizona’s future healthcare professionals, click here.

Locations

Meet Our Emergency Medicine & Critical Care Providers

Physician Leadership

Patricia Bayless, MD, FACEP

Patricia Bayless, MD, FACEP

Chief Wellness Officer

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Bruce Horwood, MD, FACEP

Bruce Horwood, MD, FACEP

Associate Director, Trauma Services
Pre-Hospital Medical Director

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Frank LoVecchio, DO, MPH, FACEP

Frank LoVecchio, DO, MPH, FACEP

Vice Chair, Research

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Medical Toxicology

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury

Certification: Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Carl Mitchell, MD

Carl Mitchell, MD

Division Director, Emergency Room Ultrasound

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Emergency Sports Medicine

Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Dany Quan, DO, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT

Dany Quan, DO, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT

Director, Medical Toxicology

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Medical Toxicology

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale

Certification: Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine

Jeff Stowell, MD

Jeffrey Stowell, MD

Assistant Professor/Affiliate Faculty, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Chair, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Ultrasound

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Alexander Toledo, DO

Alexander Toledo, DO, PharmD, FAAEM, FAAP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine and Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix
Section Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics/American Board of Emergency Medicine

Critical Care Physicians

Andres Borja Alvarez, MD

Andres Borja Alvarez, MD

Section Chief, Pulmonary

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Pulmonary Disease

Medical School: Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador School of Medicine, Quito

Certification: Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

Richard Carlson MD PHD

Richard Carlson, MD, PhD

Critical Care Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine

Medical School: University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles

Certification: Critical Care Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Ahmad Chebbo, MD

Ahmad Chebbo, MD

Critical Care Medicine Physician
Pulmonologist

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Pulmonology

Medical School: Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Beirut

Certification: Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

Hristo Hristov, MD

Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Physician

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Pulmonology
Sleep Medicine

Medical School: Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine, Hungary

Certification: Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Sleep Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Norlalak Jiramethee, MD

Norlalak Jiramethee, MD

Critical Care Medicine Physician
Pulmonologist

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Pulmonary Disease

Medical School: Rangsit University College of Medicine, Thailand

Certification: Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pulmonary Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

Atsuko Koyama, MD, MPH

Atsuko Koyama, MD, MPH

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Syed Zaidi, MD

Syed Zaidi, MD

Critical Care Medicine Physician
Pulmonologist

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Pulmonary Disease

Medical School: Osmania Medical College, India

Certification: Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pulmonary Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

Emergency Medicine Physicians

Patricia Bayless, MD, FACEP

Patricia Bayless, MD, FACEP

Chief Wellness Officer

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

David Bell, MD

David Bell, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana-Champaign

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Paul Blackburn, DO, FACOEP, FACEP

Paul Blackburn, DO, FACOEP, FACEP

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: AT Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Bradley Butler, MD, FACEP

Bradley Butler, MD, FACEP

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Geoff Comp

Geoff Comp, DO, FAWN

Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix
Instructor, Health Sciences Associated Faculty, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Timothy Davie MD

Timothy Davie, MD

Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Director, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Michael Epter

Michael Epter, DO

Professor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Residency Program Director and Vice Chair of Education, Emergency Medicine

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Levi Filler

Levi Filler, DO

Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton Arizona Health Education Alliance, Phoenix
Ultrasound Director of Curriculum and Education, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Kara Geren

Kara Geren, MD, MPH

Clinical Faculty, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine

Bruce Horwood, MD, FACEP

Bruce Horwood, MD, FACEP

Associate Director, Trauma Services
Pre-Hospital Medical Director

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Hristo Hristov, MD

Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Physician

Medical Specialty: Critical Care Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Pulmonology
Sleep Medicine

Medical School: Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine, Hungary

Certification: Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Sleep Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Brant Jaouen, MD

Brant Jaouen, MD

Instructor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine, MO

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Brendan Leach, DO

Brendan Leach, DO

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, San Francisco, CA

Certification: Board eligible, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Frank LoVecchio, DO, MPH, FACEP

Frank LoVecchio, DO, MPH, FACEP

Vice Chair, Research

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Medical Toxicology

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury

Certification: Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Ashkon Mahmoudi, MD

Ashkon Mahmoudi, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Emergency Sports Medicine

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Certification: Board eligible, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Megan McElhinny, MD

Megan McElhinny, MD, PMPH

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison

Certification: Board eligible, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Dawn Mielke, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Carl Mitchell, MD

Carl Mitchell, MD

Division Director, Emergency Room Ultrasound

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Emergency Sports Medicine

Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Jack Palmer, MD

Jack Palmer, MD

Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Clinical Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Paul Pugsley

Paul Pugsley, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Albany Medical College, NY

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Dany Quan, DO, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT

Dany Quan, DO, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT

Director, Medical Toxicology

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Medical Toxicology

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale

Certification: Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine

Jamie Ropacki MD

Jamie Ropacki, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Shirley Shao, MD

Shirley Shao, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician and Medical Toxicologist

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Medical Toxicology

Medical School: State University of New York Downstate Medical School, Brooklyn

Certification: Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, American Board of Emergency Medicine

W. Corey Steinbrecher, MD

Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Ultrasound

Medical School: University or Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: Board eligible, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Jeff Stowell, MD

Jeffrey Stowell, MD

Assistant Professor/Affiliate Faculty, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Chair, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Ultrasound

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Alexander Toledo, DO

Alexander Toledo, DO, PharmD, FAAEM, FAAP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine and Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix
Section Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics/American Board of Emergency Medicine

Amrita Vempati

Amrita Vempati, MD

Assistant Program Director, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine

Thomas Whiting

Thomas Whiting, DO

Clerkship Director
Instructor, Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Emergency Sports Medicine

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale

Certification: Board eligible, American Board of Emergency Medicine

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians

Michelle Embling, MD

Michelle Embling, MD

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston

Certification: Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Julie Furmick, DO

Julie Furmick, DO

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale

Certification: American Board of Pediatrics
Board eligible, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics

Mika Iwano MD, FAAP

Mika Iwano, MD, FAAP

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Medical School: Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan

Certification: American Board of Pediatrics

Shailesh Khetarpal, MD

Shailesh Khetarpal, MD

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India

Certification: Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Sheetal Shah, DO

Sheetal Shah, DO

Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury

Certification: Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Zola Trotter, MD

Zola Trotter, MD

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Medical Specialty: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Medical School: Sancti Spiritus Faculty of Medical Sciences, Cuba

Certification: Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Critical/Emergency Care Advanced Practitioners

Krista Autuori, PA-C

Krista Autuori, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, Philadelphia University, PA

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Whitney A. Benard, PA-C

Whitney Benard, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Danielle Borgerding, PA-C

Danielle Borgerding, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Physician Assistant, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Robert H. De Villiers, PA-C

Robert De Villiers, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Physician Assistant, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Rebecca Dodd PA-C

Rebecca Dodd, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Rebecca George, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner, Emergency/Trauma Care concentration, University of Texas, Houston

Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Michaela Hoffmann, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Amanda Horton, FNP

Amanda Horton, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Chelsea Johnson, FNP

Chelsea Johnson, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Amber McDaniel, FNP

Amber McDaniel, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Kathleen McDonald, PA-C

Kathleen McDonald, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Medical Science, Physician Assistant Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ.

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Melissa Morales FNP

Melissa Morales, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

Certification: American Nurses Credentialing Center

Noelle Rosenkrans, PA

Noelle Rosenkrans, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Edward Vidal, FNP

Edward Vidal, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, Arizona State University, Phoenix

Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Richard A. White, PA

Richard White, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Medical Specialty: Critical Care
Emergency Medicine

Education: Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, AT Still University, Mesa, AZ

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants