TJUH physician first recipient of Emergency Department Director of the Year award

Rex G. Mathew, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., vice president of Emergency Medicine Clinical Operations at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) has been named the Emergency Department Director of the Year by the Emergency Medicine Foundation and Blue Jay Consulting. Dr. Mathew will receive his award at the American College of Emergency Physicians Emergency Department Director's Academy on April 26th.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized in such a way by the Emergency Medicine Foundation and Blue Jay Consulting," said Dr. Mathew. "Working in emergency medicine is truly a team effort, and we have one of the best here at Jefferson. Together we have created a department that focuses on quality patient care even under some of the most extreme emergency situations. It's what out patients expect from us."

Dr. Mathew is the first recipient of this new annual award created by Blue Jay Consulting, which recognizes current emergency department physician leaders who made significant impacts on improving the operations of his/her departments, resulting in improvements in the quality of patient care. The award winner and finalists were chosen from nearly 80 nominations from across the country, including some overseas, by a selection panel composed of appointees from Blue Jay Consulting and the Emergency Medicine Foundation.

Dr. Mathew is being recognized for his significant contributions to the Jefferson Emergency Department in the following categories: quality patient care, operational effectiveness, education, and community service. His demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with nursing and ancillary departments to implement and improve operational and clinical standards based on evidence-based practice is also being recognized.

"Dr. Mathew stands out for his ability to create and sustain high degrees of patient satisfaction, while implementing creative and innovative strategies to address emergency department throughput," said Mark J. Feinberg, Managing Partner, Blue Jay Consulting. "Because the emergency department serves as the safety net for the community, emergency directors' roles are invaluable and a service that the community needs 24/7. We are pleased to honor Dr. Mathew as he demonstrates that emergency medicine is a team sport and provides the quality care that patients come to expect."

Dr. Mathew is Vice President of Emergency Medicine Clinical Operations at TJUH, a Level 1 Trauma Center. He has displayed his leadership abilities, combined with his clinical knowledge, to work with leaders throughout the hospital to improve care in the Emergency Fepartment. Dr. Mathew fulfills a unique roll for the department and the hospital as both an administrator and a practicing physician. Having his "feet in both doors" has enabled him to make a positive impact on his patients and fellow clinicians. In addition, Dr. Mathew was instrumental in developing many quality improvement projects including the newly accredited Jefferson Chest Pain Center.