The 2011 American College of Emergency Physicians Awards program honors leadership and excellence, and will recognize these recipients throughout the 2011 Scientific Assembly in San Francisco.

The program provides an opportunity to recognize members for their significant professional contributions, as well as service to the College. All ACEP members are eligible to participate in one or more of the College’s award programs.

Frederick C. Blum, M.D., FACEP

John G. Wiegenstein Leadership Award – Presented to a current or past national leader in recognition of outstanding contribution to the College. The award honors John G. Wiegenstein, M.D., a founding member and the first president of ACEP.

Dr. Blum is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at West Virginia University in Morgantown. He has been a member of ACEP since 1985 and a Fellow of the College since 1992, and has dedicated his career to training a new generation of emergency physicians and midlevel providers.

Thanks to Dr. Blum’s efforts as ACEP President in 2005-2006, NEMPAC nearly doubled its contributions and today is the fourth largest medical specialty PAC. Dr. Blum was president during the first ACEP Report Card, the ACEP Rally at the U.S. Capitol, and the Institute of Medicine report on the state of emergency care in the United States.

Since leaving his position on the ACEP Board of Directors, Dr. Blum has focused his efforts internationally, speaking around the world as secretary general and president of the International Federation of Emergency Physicians.

John Skiendzielewski, M.D., FACEP

James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award – Presented to an active, life, or honorary member for significant contributions to emergency medicine. The award honors the late James D. Mills Jr., M.D., the second president of the College.

Dr. Skiendzielewski is the Emergency Medicine Service Line Director for Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., and former Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Geisinger Medical Center. He was a member of Geisinger’s first emergency medicine residency class and has remained to create one of the strongest emergency medicine residency programs in the country.

He served Pennsylvania ACEP in several capacities, including as committee member, board member, and officer. On the national level, he represented Pennsylvania as a councillor, was twice elected to the national Board of Directors, and served as vice president. Additionally, he has served on a range of committees and task forces, many of which he chaired.