USACS National Director of Clinical Education Jestin Carlson named PACEP 2020 Emergency Physician of the Year
National Director of Clinical Education Jestin Carlson, MD, MS, FACEP, was today named the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians (PACEP) 2020 Emergency Physician of the Year. This award recognizes a PACEP member and emergency clinician of unusual merit who pursues the ideal of emergency medicine, serves as a role model and patient advocate, upholds the highest professional standards, is an active clinician, is active in community service and education and who enhances the public image of emergency medicine.
“Jestin is internationally renowned as a researcher in resuscitation and emergency airway research,” said Arvind Venkat, MD, FACEP, and President of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians. “As an educator at both St. Vincent’s Hospital and US Acute Care Solutions, as well as his service to the community through his PulsePoint program, he exemplifies what PACEP looks for in giving this award.”
The PulsePoint program is a smart phone app that helps connect to medical help immediately. For CPR-trained people who sign up for the app, it sends push alerts if someone nearby is having a heart attack; essentially like an Amber alert. The app also shows users where the closest AED defibrillators are located. Carlson secured over $50,000 in grant funding from Highmark and PA-based EMS West. The purpose of the app is to hopefully change the statistic that, according to the American Heart Association, approximately only 10% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by PACEP for this meaningful award,” said Carlson. “I am passionate about research and the ultimate goal of saving more lives.”
Carlson serves as the National Director of Clinical Education. He also is Director of Resident Research for Saint Vincent Hospital and vice-chair of the Allegheny Health Network Institutional Review Board. He focuses on resuscitation research and education and has over 80 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. He currently sits on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation/American Heart Association First Aid Task Force and the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee. He earned his medical degree at State University of New York at Buffalo and completed his emergency medicine residency and a research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.