David Della-Giuistina, MD, was recently honored with the Rosemarie L. Fisher, M.D., Graduate Medical Education (GME) Leadership Award by the Yale School of Medicine. Drs. Stephen Huot and Rosemarie Fisher presented the award in a virtual awards ceremony. Named for Dr. Fisher, who has held the highest leadership positions in GME institutionally, regionally, and nationally, the award is given annually to members of the Graduate Medical Education Community of Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine in recognition of substantial contributions to advancing the training of residents. The selection committee chose Dr. Della-Giustina for his efforts to further the Yale training mission.
During his tenure as Program Director, Dr. Della-Giustina has elevated the Yale emergency medicine residency program to national prominence, designing and implementing multiple innovative programs, including bringing his incredible knowledge of wilderness medicine and adding Advanced Wildness Life Support certification to the standard curriculum. He also developed a Resident Well-Being Committee and a implemented a diversity program to enhance recruitment of those underrepresented in medicine, including a funded rotation and second look scholarship. According to Associate Program Director, Dr. Katja Goldflam, “Dave personifies the ideal of a true mentor and educator. He exhibits grace under pressure in the clinical setting and is a role model for aspiring and seasoned clinicians. I am amazed at the number of alums at national conferences who approach Dave and reinforce the incredible influence he continues to have on their careers.”
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Education Section Chief in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director, Dr. Della-Giustina is also the Program Director of the Wilderness Medicine Fellowship and the Educational Leadership Fellowship. He is a retired Colonel from the US Army with over 29 years of service to include combat tours in Afghanistan (2) and Iraq (2) with US Special Operations Command. Internationally recognized as a highly respected educator in resident training, Wilderness Medicine, orthopedics, ultrasound and military/combat medicine, Dr. Della-Giustina has received many outstanding honors, including the ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, the Brigadier General Crone Award for outstanding physician educator in Madigan Army Medical Center, and the ACEP National Faculty Teaching Award.