TEAM SPOTLIGHT:
Gary Gaddis, MD, PHD, FIFEM, MAAEM, FACEP
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Emergency Care Partners (ECP) and Missouri Physician Partners (MPP) are proud to recognize Dr. Gary Gaddis, MD, PHD, FIFEM, MAAEM, FACEP, for his outstanding leadership and meaningful contributions to the specialty of emergency medicine. His commitment to the field is rooted in personal experience and a deep dedication to supporting patients in their most critical moments.
Clinical Leadership Experience in Emergency Medicine
Dr. Gaddis is a distinguished leader in emergency medicine whose career encompasses academic, clinical, and global contributions. For much of his career, he has served as an academic emergency physician, including appointments as a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine and at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Gaddis’s deep commitment to advancing the scientific foundation of emergency care is demonstrated by his longstanding involvement in university and hospital committees, including efforts to develop more consistent research policies.
Dr. Gaddis’s influence in emergency medicine extends far beyond the institutions and academic programs that he has served. He demonstrates a sustained commitment to the specialty through his service on multiple editorial boards, his review of scholarly manuscripts, and his participation on scientific panels. His leadership in these roles underscores his dedication to elevating academic rigor and shaping thought leadership in emergency medicine.
A dedicated advocate for professional excellence, Dr. Gaddis has held leadership roles in multiple national and international emergency medicine societies. In 2018, he was elected a Fellow of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (Order of the IFEM) in recognition of his global impact on the specialty. His published works, including articles focused on emergency department practice and physician well‑being—have informed and inspired practitioners across the field. Dr. Gaddis embodies scholarship, service, and innovation, qualities that make him an exceptional nominee and an enduring asset to the emergency medicine community.
In 2021, Dr. Gaddis stepped away from the full‑time practice of emergency medicine; since then, he has found an excellent fit as a part‑time physician with Missouri Physician Partners.
Interview with Dr. Gaddis
Q: When did you decide to become a physician?
I first decided to be a physician when I was about 12 or 13 years old. One of my friend’s fathers was a physician, and I liked how being a doctor lets a person use applied science in a satisfying interpersonal way. I knew that whatever field of medicine I chose, it would always be advancing, and it would be exciting to be a part of all of that.
Q: What is your favorite part about working with MPP and ECP?
My favorite part of working with Missouri Physician Partners in Chillicothe and Trenton, MO is the patients, who often say “thank you”. The pace is usually not so hectic that I can’t spend the time showing true care to the patients. Also, we have a good nursing staff, and I can count on them as great teammates.
Q: What do you find most exciting about your job?
The most exciting things in my job are when people go out of their way to show that they are thankful for the care received, and when we succeed at difficult resuscitation.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I am passionate about my family, staying fit and engaging in advocacy within the “house of medicine”. I have developed several resolutions that have been adopted by the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates concerning topics of interest to emergency physicians, and I currently serve as one of the Delegates to the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates, representing the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
Featured Recent Publications by Dr. Gary Gaddis
- “AAEM Joins the AMA House of Delegates (And Why It Matters).”The piece highlights the significance of AAEM gaining direct representation within the AMA House of Delegates and explains how this strengthens advocacy for emergency physicians nationwide. (Published July/August 2025 Issue) AAEM Joins the AMA House of Delagates (And Why It Matters)
- This Common Sense article featured in AAEM’s newsletter, “Fear: The Unseen ED Visitor,” examines how fear often shapes patient behavior in the ED and how clinicians can more effectively respond to it. Dr. Gaddis highlights actionable strategies to help physicians listen, identify fear‑driven cues, and support patients more compassionately. (Published March/April 2025 Issue) AAEM Newsletter-Fear: The Unseen ED Visitor
- Gary Gaddis reflects on the vital role of reasoned dissent in the history and evolution of emergency medicine, highlighting how challenging established norms has shaped the specialty. He traces examples of influential dissent—from the founding of ACEP to broader societal figures—to show how constructive opposition drives progress. (Published March 2022) ACEP Now- We Dissent!
About Missouri Physician Partners (MPP):
Missouri Physician Partners (MPP) is a physician-centered practice dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care by ensuring their physicians are supported, valued, and treated fairly. MPP prioritizes long-term, collaborative relationships with its clinicians so they can continuously strengthen the quality of care provided to patients and hospital partners. Through this commitment, MPP fosters an environment where physicians can thrive professionally while delivering outstanding service across the communities it serves.
About Emergency Care Partners (ECP):
Headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, ECP is the largest single-specialty provider of emergency medicine and emergency department management services for hospitals in the United States. With current operations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont, ECP serves over 1.7 million patients annually across 64 programs. The company has a clinical workforce of more than 1,200+ physicians and mid-level providers. ECP employs a differentiated model relative to other platforms in the emergency medicine space, highlighted by the ability to maintain ownership through its physician partnership model, with more than 60% of physicians being shareholders today. For more information, please visit www.ecp.net.