Elizabeth A. Cook, MD
Dr. Cook has served as a hospitalist since 2001 and is medical director of the hospitalist division for Medical Associates of Central Virginia in Lynchburg, Va., where she provides management and coordination of care for acutely ill medical and surgical patients. She also serves as supervising physician at Matrix Medical Network, where she provides oversight to nurse practitioners through monthly chart reviews. Dr. Cook completed her medical degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and her internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Cook is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, is an SHM member, and serves on SHM’s Family Medicine Committee.
QUOTABLE: “I started as a hospitalist thinking it would be a transition to outpatient practice; however, I fell in love with the energy and experiences in the hospital. Being able to work closely with specialists, nursing, and other ancillary personnel to care for patients when they are most in need is both an opportunity and a privilege. I have moved into a leadership role, as well as returned to school for a masters in public health. I am excited about bringing my experience, passion, and interests to a role on the editorial board. I am also looking forward to working with other hospitalists outside my local area to move forward the practice of hospital medicine.”
Lisa Courtney, MBA, MSHA
Courtney serves as director of operations at Baptist Health Systems in Birmingham, Ala. She is responsible for accounts receivable management across a multi-hospital hospitalist program; develops, maintains, and attains budget objectives; and works with the medical directors and hospital staff on quality initiatives and process improvement opportunities.
QUOTABLE: “The hospitalist director position wasn’t a role I sought but one that I’m glad I accepted. My boss told me, ‘Hospitalist medicine is fun.’ It has taken a few years to stabilize staffing, but now I finally agree, hospitalist medicine is fun. … Hospitalists are an integral part of any healthcare system. They are vital in leading change and innovation to provide better care at lower cost. I feel blessed to be part of the team. As a new member of The Hospitalist’s editorial board, I hope to bring new ideas and topics to a broad audience while gaining the experience of working with some of the top physicians and administrative staff in their field.”
Joshua LaBrin, MD, SFHM
Dr. LaBrin is assistant clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah at Salt Lake City. He also is a reviewer for Medical Education, Journal of Hospital Medicine, and Hospital Pediatrics. He completed his medical degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., and then his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh. He served as an HM fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
QUOTABLE: “Being a hospitalist made sense for me. I enjoy the intensive part of caring for the hospitalized setting in a team-based model. The dynamic nature of the hospital and the trainees never gets old. My mentors provided a glimpse of the impact and satisfaction I too could be a part of in hospital medicine.
James W. Levy, PA-C, SFHM
Levy serves as co-owner and vice president of human resources at iNDIGO Health Partners in Traverse City, Mich. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington and completed his PA training at Indiana University School of Medicine in Fort Wayne. He’d previously received certificates in emergency medical technology and operating room technology. He worked as a hospitalist from 1998 to 2013 and is a member of SHM’s NP/PA Committee.