Alice Min Simpkins receives emergency medicine award
Alice Min Simpkins, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, received the James Keaney Award from the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
“This award is an incredible honor. Being recognized by respected peers and colleagues is so meaningful,” said Min Simpkins.
Alice Min Simpkins, MD
The award is named for the academy’s founder and recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the organization. Award recipients must be academy members and have 10 or more years’ experience in emergency medicine clinical practice. Min Simpkins joined the academy in 2014.
“I have been most active with the AAEM Wellness Committee, serving as a member for a couple of years and then was asked to be a vice chair in 2020. I then served as chair from 2021 to 2023,” Min Simpkins said. “I have helped to plan and coordinate wellness events, including webinars and virtual storytelling events during the pandemic. At AAEM’s Annual Scientific Assembly, I have led the coordination of one of the signature networking events called Airway. This is a storytelling event intended to share joys, challenges, sorrows and laughter while building community with fellow EM physicians.”
Min Simpkins served on the academy’s Leadership Development Task Force in 2022, when she and her colleagues established a development program for leaders in emergency medicine.
“I have also served as a mentor for participants in AAEM’s Leadership Academy and have been invited to be the kickoff event keynote speaker for the last two years,” she said.
Min Simpkins completed residency training in emergency medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson in 2007 and joined the faculty the same year.
“I am a core faculty member for our residency program and co-lead a didactic series called Communication and Professionalism Education for our emergency medicine residents,” she said. “I am also active in the medical student curriculum and serve as a Societies Mentor.”
Min Simpkins is an associate dean for career development in the College of Medicine – Tucson Office of Faculty Affairs. This role focuses on building programs and resources for the professional development of faculty.
“Our signature programs support faculty with leadership development, mentorship, network-building, promotion and other professional skills,” she said. “My goals are always centered on building community and making development easy and accessible to help facilitate professional fulfillment for all of our faculty.”
Samuel M. Keim, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, said Min Simpkins “works with a calm passion for excellence. She is a great team leader with incredible emotional intelligence. She demonstrates leadership in a humble but high-energy way. She receives complete respect from all members of the emergency medicine staff.”