01 Nov Nao Yoneda, MD: A 2024 Unsung Hero
Dr. Yoneda not only exhibits numerous great qualities but her dedication to the residency program at New York-Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) is unmatched. I have known her since 2011 when she started her EM residency at NYPQ and I was her assistant residency director. She was one of the most personable, intelligent and diligent residents I had ever worked with. Now, she is an outstanding clinician, an amazing educator, and a role model for all resident physicians and young attendings.
Nao has held nearly every position at NYPQ. From resident, to attending physician, Clerkship Director, assistant residency director, associate residency director, medical education fellowship director, women in medicine director, residency website manager and most recently community health outreach leader. No attending in our department is more loved and respected than Nao. Attending physicians love Nao’s presence as the other attending during their night shifts (oh yeah, she’s a nocturnist) as they know she will keep morale high despite high volumes, a crowded ED and stress provoking situations. Resident physicians seek out her shifts knowing that they will learn and be fully supported in every way during their shift. Nursing staff love working with Nao because she always puts the team and patients first. They know they can go to her with anytime knowing their concerns will be appreciated and respected.
Outside of clinical setting, Nao is innovative not on in the organization of conference but also in her organization of wellness events including unbelievably well organized and challenging scavenger hunts. Each July, our interns do an ED scavenger hunt organized by Dr. Yoneda. During this, they get to learn where everything in the ED is kept, who the various team members in the ED are and get to engage with various departmental leaders. Simply put, Nao makes everything fun.
Recipient Bio:
I began my career in academic medicine working with our simulation team. This piqued my interest in theories of structured communication, crew resource management, situational awareness, and unconventional forms of education. During my time as Medical Student Clerkship Director I continued to explore high-fidelity low-cost models and gamification in education, as well as different strategies to promote productivity and promote wellness and team-building. As Associate Program Director, and Medical Education Fellowship Director I explored new methods to engage learners weary of 9 old-fashioned methods of learning by proposing an array of new and exciting approaches to reimagine emergency medicine education. This included a Hogwart-style House Competition, our board game inspired CraniEM, Infectious Disease Guess Who, our track-themed Olympics and our series of Escape Rooms. We aimed to promote friendly competition in a safe learning space where trainees’ individuality, interests, and skillsets are celebrated- particularly those that may not necessarily shine during conventional learning. As leader of our faculty and resident led FemEM group I sought to help learners develop their own voice to escape the safety of anonymity and take a seat at the table. We aim to empower our members, give them tools and conflict resolution strategies, and help them recognize personal and societal biases that may ultimately restrict their growth & success.
– Manish Sharma, DO MBA FACEP