USACS Issues Statement on Healthcare Bias and Injustice Based on Race
General News
Jun 26, 2020
Authors: Joyce Perfetti DO, Jason Bolden MD, USACS Executive Leadership
As the nation’s leading physician-owned group providing clinical services to acutely ill patients, 2020 has been a year of many difficulties. Our practice of medicine changed seemingly overnight with the spread of COVID-19, an invisible force being fought daily by our clinicians with the support of our healthcare partners. In addition to this new viral adversary, we continue to witness injustice through unequal treatment of members of our communities. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis was one of the most recent examples of our country’s history of mistreatment, harassment, and disproportionate death in communities of color. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of people of color at a higher rate, mandating our attention on the racial disparities in healthcare in particular.
Here at USACS, we are more than just a company. We are a group of independent and diverse clinicians and non-clinicians who work together as a team to provide quality medical care with compassion for our patients. Our collective diversity is the strength that allows us to better understand our patients with an open heart and empathy. Our mutual respect of each partner’s uniqueness is one of the inherent values of our USACS culture. Each individual’s diverse perspective is not only accepted but valued, respected and encouraged. We support all our clinicians and communities unwaveringly and stand beside them when facing inequality and injustice.
At USACS, injustice and discrimination can claim no sanctuary. Diversity, equality and inclusion are integral tenets of our company’s mission. Our Diversity and Inclusion Council uses the talents of our clinicians and non-clinicians from all over the country to highlight crucial issues (including racial discrimination) that affect our colleagues and patients. The D&I council, with the support of our leadership, will lead our initiatives on mitigating bias and practices that perpetuate disparities in care. We are mentoring and encouraging our people of all races and ethnicities to pursue positions of leadership to promote a diverse workforce. Although all of us may not personally experience every individual struggle, it is our duty to understand and strive for better for ourselves and for each other.
To our colleagues, family, and friends of color: To elicit change we have to be the change that we want to see in the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those whose lives were unjustly taken. We are also sending support to all those in our workplace and communities who are grieving or suffering during this difficult time. The battle for human rights against racism is not just for one group of people, but a duty to be shared by us all.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
For our patients. For each other. We are ONE USACS.
Related News
General News
Aug 19, 2024
US Acute Care Solutions Names Dr. Kelly Abbrescia Regional Vice President of South Division
CANTON, Ohio, August 19, 2024 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned emergency and inpatient medicine practice, announced today that it has named Kelly Abbrescia, DO, MMM, FACEP, a Regional Vice President of its South Division. Most recently, Dr. Abbrescia served as the Medical Director at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City, NC. Throughout her career, Dr. Abbrescia has held numerous leadership roles, notably serving as the System Medical Director at Bayhealth Medical Center prior to joining USACS. She also served as a Major in the US Army at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, after completing an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellowship. President of the USACS South Division, Brandon Lewis, DO, MBA, FACEP, FACOEP, said, “Dr. Abbrescia has been highly impressive in her short tenure with us, and we expect great things from her as she steps into this role for our division. Our leadership team is looking forward to working with her in this new capacity.” Dr. Abbrescia said, “Since joining USACS, I have been impressed by the outstanding leadership efforts that have taken place and felt called to apply for this instrumental role within the South Division. It is an honor and privilege to serve my colleagues as a regional vice president and I am eager to hit the ground running to make an immediate impact.” Dr. Abbrescia earned her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She went on to complete her emergency medicine residency and EMS fellowship at Albert Einstein Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Abbrescia also earned her master’s degree in medical management from Carnegie Mellon University – Heinz School of Business and is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately ten million patients annually across more than 400 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
General News
Aug 9, 2024
Dr. John Casey Named Recipient of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) National Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award
CANTON, Ohio, August 9, 2024 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned emergency and inpatient medicine practice, announced today that John Casey, DO, MA, FACEP, FACOEP-D, has received the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) National Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award. The ACEP National Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated superior clinical teaching. Dr. Casey is a board-certified emergency physician and serves as the USACS Emergency Medicine Residency Director at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus, OH. His passion for education is reflected through his years of academic involvement, having worked his way, since 2008, up the ranks to become a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Casey has received several awards for both his clinical and teaching excellence, and has given numerous lectures on various topics across the nation. Since 2008, Dr. Casey has been an active member of ACEP, Ohio’s ACEP chapter, and the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP), and has served in numerous leadership roles for each organization. Most recently, he served as a member of the ACEP Physician Public Health Committee. “Dr. Casey is a strong, enthusiastic educator who goes the extra mile to ensure a bright future for emergency medicine resident physicians,” said Chief Medical Officer, Amer Aldeen, MD, FACEP. “His inspirational and energetic style of teaching reflects his commitment to residents and medical students alike. I am excited to see his efforts recognized by the nation’s largest professional organization of emergency physicians. We at USACS are proud to call him a colleague and celebrate alongside him for this outstanding achievement.” “It is truly an honor to receive such a prestigious award,” said Dr. Casey. “Having the ongoing opportunity to make an impact on the education of medical students and residents each year is incredibly rewarding and something I do not take for granted. I look forward to contributing to the education of future physicians as they pursue the emergency medicine specialty for many more years to come.” Dr. Casey earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and economics from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in psychology from Radford University, and his medical degree from Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He went on to complete both an internship and his residency in emergency medicine at Doctors Hospital. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately ten million patients annually across more than 400 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]