Meet The Team
Executive Management / Physician Leadership
Leadership can be hard to define and it means different things to different people. Our leaders set direction and help themselves and others to do the right thing to move forward. To do this they create an inspiring vision, and then motivate and inspire others to reach that vision.
Clinical Leadership
Dr. Irv Edwards obtained his Bachelor's Degree from McGill University and his Medical Degree from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. He came to Los Angeles to pursue his interest in Emergency Medicine and interned at Los Angeles County Hospital. After his internship, Dr. Edwards completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Following his residency, Dr. Edwards pursued private practice at a variety of hospital sites in Los Angeles and Orange Counties including Chino Valley Medical Center, Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Mission Community Hospital, Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Olympia Medical Center, Sherman Oaks Hospital, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital. He was the Director of Performance Improvement at Mission Community Hospital from 1998 – 2003 and he currently serves as the Director of Case Management at Mission Community Hospital and as the Chief of Staff at Chino Valley Medical Center. He is the Director of Emergency Services at Chino Valley Medical Center, Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, Mission Community Hospital, and Montclair Hospital Medical Center.
In 1989, Dr. Edwards founded Emergent Medical Associates and has served as its President since inception. Since 2001, Dr. Edwards has been a dedicated member of CAL/ACEP and he currently sits on their Executive Board. He served as its President from 2005-2006.
In 1989, Dr. Edwards founded Emergent Medical Associates and has served as its President since inception. Since 2001, Dr. Edwards has been a dedicated member of CAL/ACEP and he currently sits on their Executive Board. He served as its President from 2005-2006.
Dr. Mark Bell has been a managing partner in EMA since 1998. Having led the start-up and management of 9 of EMA sites, he has developed a unique skill set centered on creating department efficiencies and managing the critical role emergency departments serve in driving hospital profit. He is currently the Director of Emergency Services at Sherman Oaks Hospital, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Huntington Beach Hospital and Alvarado Medical Center. He developed the EMA administrative residency program which prepares EMA physicians for administrative roles. His expertise covers customer service, strategic planning, business development, and community service. Dr. Bell is an active physician, hospital advocate, and represents his colleagues in issues on a regional and national level.
Dr. Mark Bell is a graduate of The Chicago Medical School. His undergraduate training was in Santa Barbara, California, at Westmont College. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center in 1996, and since that time has been in private practice. He’s a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and has been a managing partner in EMA since 1998. Mark has participated in the growth and development of the emergency medicine division of the company, as well as the establishment of a hyperbaric/wound program, an outpatient family medical center, and most recently the Benchmark Hospitalist program. His expertise is particularly strong in ED and in-patient efficiencies, customer service, paramedic outreach, strategic planning, and business development. Dr. Bell spends much of his time teaching emergency physicians skills in administrative management and emergency medicine leadership. He’s published articles on an array of topics such as pediatric cardiology, nutrition, and EM reimbursement, and frequently lectures on subjects most interesting to him such as The History of Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare, EMTALA, and the Field Management of the Unknown Overdose.
Dr. Mark Bell is a graduate of The Chicago Medical School. His undergraduate training was in Santa Barbara, California, at Westmont College. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center in 1996, and since that time has been in private practice. He’s a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and has been a managing partner in EMA since 1998. Mark has participated in the growth and development of the emergency medicine division of the company, as well as the establishment of a hyperbaric/wound program, an outpatient family medical center, and most recently the Benchmark Hospitalist program. His expertise is particularly strong in ED and in-patient efficiencies, customer service, paramedic outreach, strategic planning, and business development. Dr. Bell spends much of his time teaching emergency physicians skills in administrative management and emergency medicine leadership. He’s published articles on an array of topics such as pediatric cardiology, nutrition, and EM reimbursement, and frequently lectures on subjects most interesting to him such as The History of Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare, EMTALA, and the Field Management of the Unknown Overdose.
Dr. Lee R. Weiss is currently Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services at Huntington Beach Hospital and Co-Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Centinela Freeman Medical Center in Inglewood, CA.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Downstate School of Medicine, Dr. Weiss trained in Internal Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Kings County Hospital, the National Institutes of Health, SUNY Stony Brook, Bellevue Hospital, and the New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Weiss previously was the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, OH, and most recently Vice Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Dr. Weiss previously held faculty positions in the Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, The Bellevue Hospital Center, and The Ohio State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Weiss is the founder and previous managing partner of Synergy Micro Systems in Columbus, OH. For the past twenty plus years, Dr. Weiss has focused his research interests on the Epidemiology and Management of Outpatient Infectious Diseases. His major research focus has been the epidemiology of resistance in Streptococcus pneumonia.
An avid international traveler, for the past twenty years, Dr. Weiss has volunteered with Doctors without Borders in Africa and Central Asia. Dr. Weiss resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Weiss and son Gavin in Hermosa Beach, CA.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Downstate School of Medicine, Dr. Weiss trained in Internal Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Kings County Hospital, the National Institutes of Health, SUNY Stony Brook, Bellevue Hospital, and the New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Weiss previously was the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, OH, and most recently Vice Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Dr. Weiss previously held faculty positions in the Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, The Bellevue Hospital Center, and The Ohio State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Weiss is the founder and previous managing partner of Synergy Micro Systems in Columbus, OH. For the past twenty plus years, Dr. Weiss has focused his research interests on the Epidemiology and Management of Outpatient Infectious Diseases. His major research focus has been the epidemiology of resistance in Streptococcus pneumonia.
An avid international traveler, for the past twenty years, Dr. Weiss has volunteered with Doctors without Borders in Africa and Central Asia. Dr. Weiss resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Weiss and son Gavin in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Dr. G. Scott Brewster is Chief Medical Officer at EMA and leads all quality program development including clinical best practice implementation and standardization. Dr. Brewster also oversees clinical leadership development in the organization and created the EMA Administrative Emergency Medicine Fellowship which was the first in the country at its inception. He has extensive hospital administrative experience including an long tenure as Emergency Medicine Director at Providence Tarzana Medical Center.
Dr. Brewster attended medical school at Northwestern University and completed an Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine residency at UCLA. He is an actively practicing Emergency Physician and maintains his board certification in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Prior to joining EMA in 2003, Dr. Brewster was a faculty member at UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Brewster attended medical school at Northwestern University and completed an Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine residency at UCLA. He is an actively practicing Emergency Physician and maintains his board certification in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. Prior to joining EMA in 2003, Dr. Brewster was a faculty member at UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Raised in Southern California, Dr. Jason Greenspan received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his MD from the University of Southern California. He then completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at LAC+USC Medical Center, where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Greenspan is the Associate Director of Emergency Services at Sherman Oaks Hospital, Mission Community Hospital, and was the Assistant Director of Emergency Services at Granada Hills Emergent Medical Associates from June 2003 – December 2003, and Residency Selection Committee from June 2001 – May 2002.
He has an extreme interest in medical education and his teaching responsibilities include the following: Lectures for Emergency Medicine, Grand Rounds (July 1999 – Present), Lectures and Demonstrations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (July 2000-Present), Lectures for Emergency Medicine Clerkship (June 2001 – June 2002), Lectures for Nursing Staff (June 2003 – Present). His society memberships include the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (2002-2006), American College of Emergency Physicians (1997-Present), and Emergency Medicine Residents Association (1997-2002).
He has an extreme interest in medical education and his teaching responsibilities include the following: Lectures for Emergency Medicine, Grand Rounds (July 1999 – Present), Lectures and Demonstrations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (July 2000-Present), Lectures for Emergency Medicine Clerkship (June 2001 – June 2002), Lectures for Nursing Staff (June 2003 – Present). His society memberships include the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (2002-2006), American College of Emergency Physicians (1997-Present), and Emergency Medicine Residents Association (1997-2002).
Dr. Eric Snyder received his Master’s in Science and his Doctorate of Medicine from The Chicago Medical School in 2000 and 2004 respectively. His internship was completed at the UCLA-VA hospital, followed by a residency in Emergency Medicine at UCLA-Olive View Medical Center. Dr. Snyder is Board Certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has been a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine since 2009. He has been affiliated with and privileged at facilities such as Antelope Valley Medical Center, UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, Ronald Reagan-UCLA hospital, Kaiser West LA hospital and Providence-Cedars Sinai hospital.
In addition to having participated on several hospital committees, Dr. Snyder has served as the director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Providence Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of Tarzana. His areas of expertise include quality assurance, risk management, emergency department systems and operations. Dr. Snyder oversees all of the Risk Management for the various service lines for Pacific HealthWorks.
In addition to having participated on several hospital committees, Dr. Snyder has served as the director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Providence Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of Tarzana. His areas of expertise include quality assurance, risk management, emergency department systems and operations. Dr. Snyder oversees all of the Risk Management for the various service lines for Pacific HealthWorks.
Executive Leadership
Ari Nagler has spent the last two decades building high-performing teams and efficient companies in healthcare, service, retail and hi-tech. He's a previous business owner and M&A executive having closed over 50 transactions for himself and his clients. He possessess a B.S. degree with emphasis in Management and Organizational Development, from Cornell University.
A member of Emergent Medical Associates’ management team since 2019, Eugene Veksler has oversight responsibilities for the finance function. Prior to joining Emergent Medical Associates’ staff, Eugene held various financial positions within Eisner Health, StarPoint Properties, The Walt Disney Company, and The Clorox Company. He holds a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Eugene graduated from a Health Care Executive Program at UCLA in 2013 and is scheduled to graduate from a Business Analytics Program at Harvard University by 2020.
Responsible for leading and managing all aspects of analytical reporting, project management and corporate initiatives
• Previous experience in multi-national public and private organizations, leading financial operations on several continents
• B.A. in Business Economics from UC Santa Barbara, M.B.A. in Finance from University of Colorado, Boulder.
Responsible for overseeing daily administrative operations and human resource management
• Previous experience in business management specializing in the entertainment and apparel industry
• B.S. in Accounting, California State University, Northridge
Responsible for Recruiting, Credentialing and Scheduling
• First employee, helping the company grow from a single contract to its size today
• B.S. in Health Administration, University of Phoenix
Responsible for managing and leading internal legal matters
• Prior experience within the medical/healthcare industry; medical malpractice defense; Assistant GC for a for-profit healthcare organization
• J.D. from Southwestern Law School / B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Business Management, University of California, Irvine
Regional Directors
Dr. Lee R. Weiss is currently Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services at Huntington Beach Hospital and Co-Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Centinela Freeman Medical Center in Inglewood, CA.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Downstate School of Medicine, Dr. Weiss trained in Internal Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Kings County Hospital, the National Institutes of Health, SUNY Stony Brook, Bellevue Hospital, and the New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Weiss previously was the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, OH, and most recently Vice Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Dr. Weiss previously held faculty positions in the Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, The Bellevue Hospital Center, and The Ohio State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Weiss is the founder and previous managing partner of Synergy Micro Systems in Columbus, OH. For the past twenty plus years, Dr. Weiss has focused his research interests on the Epidemiology and Management of Outpatient Infectious Diseases. His major research focus has been the epidemiology of resistance in Streptococcus pneumonia.
An avid international traveler, for the past twenty years, Dr. Weiss has volunteered with Doctors without Borders in Africa and Central Asia. Dr. Weiss resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Weiss and son Gavin in Hermosa Beach, CA.
A graduate of the State University of New York at Downstate School of Medicine, Dr. Weiss trained in Internal Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Kings County Hospital, the National Institutes of Health, SUNY Stony Brook, Bellevue Hospital, and the New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Weiss previously was the Director of Emergency Medical Services at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, OH, and most recently Vice Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT. Dr. Weiss previously held faculty positions in the Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, The Bellevue Hospital Center, and The Ohio State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Weiss is the founder and previous managing partner of Synergy Micro Systems in Columbus, OH. For the past twenty plus years, Dr. Weiss has focused his research interests on the Epidemiology and Management of Outpatient Infectious Diseases. His major research focus has been the epidemiology of resistance in Streptococcus pneumonia.
An avid international traveler, for the past twenty years, Dr. Weiss has volunteered with Doctors without Borders in Africa and Central Asia. Dr. Weiss resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Weiss and son Gavin in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Raised in Southern California, Dr. Jason Greenspan received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his MD from the University of Southern California. He then completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at LAC+USC Medical Center, where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Greenspan is the Associate Director of Emergency Services at Sherman Oaks Hospital, Mission Community Hospital, and was the Assistant Director of Emergency Services at Granada Hills Emergent Medical Associates from June 2003 – December 2003, and Residency Selection Committee from June 2001 – May 2002.
He has an extreme interest in medical education and his teaching responsibilities include the following: Lectures for Emergency Medicine, Grand Rounds (July 1999 – Present), Lectures and Demonstrations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (July 2000-Present), Lectures for Emergency Medicine Clerkship (June 2001 – June 2002), Lectures for Nursing Staff (June 2003 – Present). His society memberships include the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (2002-2006), American College of Emergency Physicians (1997-Present), and Emergency Medicine Residents Association (1997-2002).
He has an extreme interest in medical education and his teaching responsibilities include the following: Lectures for Emergency Medicine, Grand Rounds (July 1999 – Present), Lectures and Demonstrations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (July 2000-Present), Lectures for Emergency Medicine Clerkship (June 2001 – June 2002), Lectures for Nursing Staff (June 2003 – Present). His society memberships include the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (2002-2006), American College of Emergency Physicians (1997-Present), and Emergency Medicine Residents Association (1997-2002).
Dr. Kelly Unger received her Bachelor’s degree at UCLA in physiologic science and medical degree from UCLA School of Medicine. She then completed an Emergency Medicine residency at the Jacobi Montefiore Program at Albert Einstein in the Bronx, NY.
She joined EMA upon moving back to Southern California in early 2008. She began administratively as Assistant Director at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital and Huntington Beach Hospital. She is currently the Regional Medical Director for Orange County as of July 2015 and has been the Medical Director for College Medical Center Long Beach since April 2014.
She joined EMA upon moving back to Southern California in early 2008. She began administratively as Assistant Director at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital and Huntington Beach Hospital. She is currently the Regional Medical Director for Orange County as of July 2015 and has been the Medical Director for College Medical Center Long Beach since April 2014.
• Graduate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• Internship and residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital • Site Director at Los Alamos Medical Center, Seton Medical Center, Merced Medical Center and Shasta Regional Medical Center
Dr. Pranav Kachhi grew up in the city of Los Angeles. He attended college at UCLA and is thereby a die hard Bruin for life! After college, he moved to Philadelphia where he attended Thomas Jefferson for medical school. He then pursued his interest in emergency medicine by attending residency at LAC/USC Medical Center. Upon completion of his residency in 2001, he joined EMA.
He has worked at multiple EMA sites and hospitals and prides himself in being able to function in a variety of emergency department settings. In 2013, he helped open a brand-new hospital, Temecula Valley, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department. He currently lives in Northern San Diego and is happily married.
He has worked at multiple EMA sites and hospitals and prides himself in being able to function in a variety of emergency department settings. In 2013, he helped open a brand-new hospital, Temecula Valley, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department. He currently lives in Northern San Diego and is happily married.
Site Directors
Dr. Jordan Cohen was born in Israel, but raised in Southern California. He completed undergraduate studies at UC Irvine before attending medical school at UCLA. After a three year residency in emergency medicine at University of Illinois, Chicago, Dr. Cohen returned to California to direct the emergency medicine program at St. Mary's Medical Center, San Francisco as well as attending at various other Bay Area hospitals.
Prior to joining EMA in January 2012, Dr. Cohen also worked as ED attending in several hospitals in New Jersey. Dr. Cohen is currently the medical director of the ED at Alvarado Hospital as well as the regional director for San Diego county. He has held teaching positions at UCSF, UC Irvine and University of Illinois, Chicago.
Prior to joining EMA in January 2012, Dr. Cohen also worked as ED attending in several hospitals in New Jersey. Dr. Cohen is currently the medical director of the ED at Alvarado Hospital as well as the regional director for San Diego county. He has held teaching positions at UCSF, UC Irvine and University of Illinois, Chicago.
Dr. Walter Richard Bush Jr. (also known as Ricky) originally hails from Dalton Georgia; Dr Bush attended Vanderbilt University as a Harold Stirling Vanderbilt Scholar graduating with a degree in General Biology and Chemistry. Dr Bush matriculated at the Wake Forest University Medical School (formerly known as Bowman Gray School of Medicine) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Dr. Marco Hernandez received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from San Diego State University in 1993. He went on to attend Medical School at Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara, in Mexico (July 1993 – June 1996). He then received his Doctor of Medicine from Ponce University Hospital in Puerto Rico where he graduated with clinical distinction and continued with his transitional year at Ponce University Hospital where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Hernandez was residency trained in Emergency Medicine at USC+LAC Medical Center and participated in research involving non-invasive cardiac monitoring.
Dr. Hernandez has been a part of Emergent Medical Associates since graduating his residency and his hospital affiliations include Chino Valley Medical Center, Tarzana Regional Medical Center, and Olympia Medical Center. He is currently the Associate Director of Emergency Services at Valley Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Hernandez has been a part of Emergent Medical Associates since graduating his residency and his hospital affiliations include Chino Valley Medical Center, Tarzana Regional Medical Center, and Olympia Medical Center. He is currently the Associate Director of Emergency Services at Valley Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Kohanim received his undergraduate degree from California State University Northridge. He then completed his medical degree from University of New England. He then traveled to New York in 1995 and completed his Internship and Emergency Medicine Residency program at St. Barnabas hospital. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine. He joined Emergent Medical Associate part time in 2003 and then full time in 2006. He is currently Director of Emergency Services at Mission Community Hospital and Associate Director of Emergency Services at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. He is a Fellow of American college of Emergency Physician and Fellow of American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.
He is also Director of undergraduate Emergency Medicine Education for medical students rotating in the ER at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
He is a clinical Faculty of Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences.
He is also Director of undergraduate Emergency Medicine Education for medical students rotating in the ER at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.
He is a clinical Faculty of Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Pranav Kachhi grew up in the city of Los Angeles. He attended college at UCLA and is thereby a die hard Bruin for life! After college, he moved to Philadelphia where he attended Thomas Jefferson for medical school. He then pursued his interest in emergency medicine by attending residency at LAC/USC Medical Center. Upon completion of his residency in 2001, he joined EMA.
He has worked at multiple EMA sites and hospitals and prides himself in being able to function in a variety of emergency department settings. In 2013, he helped open a brand-new hospital, Temecula Valley, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department. He currently lives in Northern San Diego and is happily married.
He has worked at multiple EMA sites and hospitals and prides himself in being able to function in a variety of emergency department settings. In 2013, he helped open a brand-new hospital, Temecula Valley, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department. He currently lives in Northern San Diego and is happily married.
• Graduate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• Internship and residency at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital • Site Director at Los Alamos Medical Center, Seton Medical Center, Merced Medical Center and Shasta Regional Medical Center
Dr. Tae Kim was raised in Los Angeles and earned a B.A. in English at UCLA. He then attended medical school at the University of Michigan. Dr. Kim completed his emergency medicine residency training at Loma Linda University and Riverside University Health System (formerly Riverside County Regional) medical centers, and then stayed on as faculty at Loma Linda while completing three fellowships (global health, emergency ultrasound, and clinical ethics) and served as the associate medical director, attaining the rank of associate professor before engaging in community practice.
Dr. Kim joined EMA in September of 2018 after working in north Orange County and serving as the medical director of emergency services in Downey, CA. He was the associate and since June of 2019 is currently the medical director of the emergency department of Corona Regional Medical Center. He has also been involved with two medical tech startups and as a result was even briefly featured in an episode of "The White Rabbit Project," a Netflix series. An avid reader and writer, his next work will be in response to Jerome Groopman's book "How Doctors Think," which will be entitled "Do Doctors Think?"
Dr. Kim joined EMA in September of 2018 after working in north Orange County and serving as the medical director of emergency services in Downey, CA. He was the associate and since June of 2019 is currently the medical director of the emergency department of Corona Regional Medical Center. He has also been involved with two medical tech startups and as a result was even briefly featured in an episode of "The White Rabbit Project," a Netflix series. An avid reader and writer, his next work will be in response to Jerome Groopman's book "How Doctors Think," which will be entitled "Do Doctors Think?"