after the resident had graduated . Dr . Danzl asserted that the critical care experiences necessary to meet the highest medical standards are developed in Room 9 . In addition to Dr . Danzl ’ s influence on Room 9 , Dr . Kerri Remmel , chair of neurology , also spearheaded expansion of the mission of Room 9 to include “ Code Stroke ” patients . 7 Throughout the years , Room 9 has remained central to the training experience .
Dr . Danzl led the emergency department from 1991 to 2020 , when Dr . J . Jeremy Thomas was appointed as the third Chair of Emergency Medicine . Dr . J . Jeremy Thomas , the current Chair of Emergency Medicine , has championed many ideas regarding emergency department operations . He had significant experience acquired during his tenure as an academic professor at the University of Alabama Birmingham . Upon arrival , he could tell that the emergency department and residency program at UofL was different from most residency programs . This occurred in part by tradition within the context of our city and institution . 9
He quickly recognized opportunities “ outside the four walls of the ED ” that would promote further connection within the Louisville community . During his tenure at UofL , he has expanded the residency training program to include the administrative fellowship . He expanded toxicology education within the residency . He also oversaw collaboration with an emergency department and residency program in Kaunas , Lithuania . He inserted an emphasis on ultrasonography in conjunction with the ultrasonography faculty . He facilitated “ event medicine ” opportunities at Bourbon and Beyond , Louder than Life , a variety of intercollegiate sports and the PGA championship at Valhalla Golf Club . These measures have served to increase UofL ’ s emergency medicine visibility and service commitment locally . Although these changes improve the current overall program , Dr . J . Jeremy Thomas reiterates that the core of the program is built on the firm foundation initiated by Dr . Donald Thomas and the academic rigor built by Dr . Danzl . 9
UofL Emergency Medicine has also played an integral role in helping develop emergency medicine in Poland and Lithuania . In 2024 , an exchange of two emergency medicine residents from UofL and two from Kaunas , Lithuania began . Through collaboration , participating physicians were able to share culture and medical practices . Room 9 ’ s cultural importance to the ED and impact in Louisville was noted by our Lithuanian compatriots . They have adapted some of the lessons they learned within Room 9 at their home institution . Room 9 ’ s impact is international .
Louisville has played host to many presidents . When the President visits Louisville , all hands are on deck beforehand with a codified , Secret Service-approved pathway to stat care for any potential presidential injury or illness . The UofL ED leadership coordinates with Secret Service members and UofL ’ s ED is prepped , expressway lanes are cleared , advanced EMS ambulances follow the motorcade with EMS copters overhead , with all care teams specified in advance . The UofL ED enters the national spotlight in those moments .
“ Room 9 ” within the UofL Hospital Emergency Department has come a long way since its inception in 1971 . Today ’ s Room 9 consists of four gurneys within four bays . Each trauma bay is equipped with intubation supplies , ventilators , splinting materials , crash carts , ultrasounds , shelves stocked with procedural kits , monitors , IV start kits and many more required devices for resuscitations . This setup is becoming standardized in most emergency departments across the country , but few can claim Room 9 ’ s historic inception and enduring impact on patients . It remains an unparalleled frontline for patient care .
“ Room 9 !” the loudspeaker announces again . Another critically ill or injured patient has arrived . Another life is in the balance .
References
1
Brown , R . ( 2002 ). 30 ways we ’ ve changed the world . UofL Magazine .
2
Choi , J , Carlos , G , Nassar , AK , Knowlton , LM , Spain , DM . The impact of trauma systems on patient outcomes . Curr Probl Surg . ( 2021 ). doi : 10.1016 / j . cpsurg . 2020.100849
3
Zink , B . ( 2018 ). Anyone , anything , anytime : A history of emergency medicine ( 2 nd edition ). ACEP .
4
Danzl , D . ( 2008 ). The man at the end of the siren . Louisville Medicine , July 2008 , 42-43 .
5
Ralph , M . ( 2008 ). Fire engine red : Tales of Dr . Thomas . Louisville Medicine , July 2008 , 43-44 .
6
Danzl , D . ( 2021 ). The evolution of emergency medicine from the Louisville perspective . UofL emergency medicine newsletter .
7
D Danzl , personal communication , Aug . 28 , 2024 .
8
D Thomas , personal communication , Aug 18 , 2004 .
9
JJ Thomas , personal communication , Aug . 9 , 2024
Dr . Gellert is an emergency medicine resident at the University of Louisville Hospital .
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