Emergency medicine faculty shine at MEMC25 in Budapest

Edward A. Panacek, M.D., MPH, speaking, and Lisa Moreno-Walton, M.D., M.S., MSCR, standing, along with international colleagues, introduce the first-prize abstract speaker.

USA Health's Department of Emergency Medicine was proudly represented at the 2025 Mediterranean Emergency Medicine Congress (MEMC25), held in August in Budapest, Hungary. The presence and contributions of faculty from the Whiddon College of Medicine underscored the department’s commitment to international collaboration, educational innovation, and thought leadership in emergency medicine.

Lisa Moreno-Walton, M.D., M.S., MSCR, FAAEM, served as chair of the MEMC25 Organizing Committee, continuing her legacy of global leadership in emergency medicine. Joining her in a key leadership role was Edward A. Panacek, M.D., MPH, who served as co-chair of the MEMC25 Abstract Committee. 

Caroline Molins, M.D.; Sara Wattenbarger, D.O.; and Carmen
Martinez-Martinez, M.D., attend the abstract session.

Multiple emergency medicine faculty-physicians assisted in the review and scoring of the almost 400 research abstract submissions from 35 countries. Panacek, professor and chair of emergency medicine, reviewed the abstracts for scientific rigor and quality. Other reviewers included Caroline Molins, M.D.; Carmen J. Martinez-Martinez, M.D.; Richard Garri, M.D.; and Reshvinder Dhillon, M.D. 

Several faculty members served as abstract and track moderators throughout the conference, and many delivered impactful educational sessions:

Sara Wattenbarger, D.O., presented “Creating a Culture of Wellness and Positivity in Your Residency Program,” offering a practical framework for implementing ACT — Acknowledge, Communication, Teamwork — as a wellness strategy in training environments.

Moreno-Walton, professor and vice chair of emergency medicine, led a seminar on “Work-Life Balance for Women Throughout the Stages of an EM Career.” She also moderated a seminar during which the presidents of national EM organizations representing 12 countries presented “Updates on EM in Nations of the World.”

Molins led the panel “Real-Time Reflections: A Panel on Feedback That Sticks and Shifts Practice,” and also spoke on “Giving Feedback to the Oblivious and the Crier,” exploring feedback delivery in emotionally charged teaching encounters.

Martinez delivered two insightful talks: “Creating an Environment of Psychological Safety for Meaningful Feedback” and “Hidden Dangers – Common Pediatric Poisons,” providing attendees with actionable strategies for both educational culture and pediatric emergency care.