23 Oct Gary Starr, MD FACEP: A 2025 Unsung Hero

Dr. Gary Starr is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and the Emergency Department Medical Director at the University of Vermont Health – Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, New York. A U.S. Air Force veteran and former flight surgeon, Dr. Starr joined Alice Hyde in 2023, bringing a distinguished background in emergency medicine to serve rural communities in northern New York. With more than 20 years in clinical practice, he understands the unique challenges of providing comprehensive emergency services to underserved communities and works to ensure his teams deliver the highest standard of care regardless of resource constraints. As the medical director for the emergency department of a critical access hospital, Dr. Starr exemplifies dedicated leadership characterized by clear communication and a commitment to developing others. He is highly responsive to departmental needs and demonstrates exceptional judgment in identifying team members’ strengths, empowering them to assume leadership roles where they can excel. Under his mentorship, he has strategically developed local leaders in quality assurance, education, and substance use disorders. His approachable style and genuine mentorship have inspired colleagues to pursue roles they might not have otherwise considered. His ability to build and sustain an engaged team while having fun is a testament to his exceptional leadership.

The leadership of the Department of Emergency Medicine enthusiastically submit this award for Dr. Starr. Dr. Starr joined our group in 2023 as the next step in his accomplished career in emergency medicine that has spanned multiple different leadership roles and health care settings. Dr. Starr has served in ACEP leadership positions including Finance Committee Chair, where he contributed to the organization’s strategic vision and governance. He brought his leadership, innovation, and enthusiasm to our group at the University of Vermont Health at an important time in the development of our young department, which was founded in 2022. For context, the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Vermont Health and the Larner College of Medicine spans six clinical campuses, three of which are located in northern New York state. In addition to his role as the medical director at one of our critical access hospitals located in Malone, New York, he has contributed to the strategic planning efforts of our young department, which has a mission to provide exemplary emergency care to the most rural parts of New York state and Vermont; pipeline development of board-certified emergency physicians who are excited to serve these communities; and advocacy efforts locally and nationally. He is a clinical role model and mentor to many of our physician faculty members. We are very lucky to have him as part of our team.

Recipient Bio:
Dr. Starr received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1998, followed by a residency in Family Medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine from 1998 to 2001. He later completed additional training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals from 2005 to 2008. Prior to joining the University of Vermont Health, he practiced clinical emergency medicine with Essentia Health in Duluth, Minnesota while holding multiple leadership roles including Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Minnesota Medical Solutions and Chief Quality Officer of Vireo Health. In 2023, he joined the University of Vermont Health as Emergency Department Medical Director at Alice Hyde Medical Center, where he currently practices emergency medicine serving rural communities in northern New York.

– Alice Hyde Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine