Memorial Hospital’s new emergency department director realizes that success in the ER is a much about bedside manner as medicine.
Christopher Farabaugh said one of his immediate goals is to impress on upon physicians that customer service is an important part of the business, even in the emergency room. He told Memorial’s Board of Trustees Thursday night that patients are increasingly aware that they have a choice in healthcare and if they are not satisfied, they can go elsewhere.
Farabaugh takes over for Jason Russell who took a new position at Memorial as the Medical Director for the areas of Quality and Risk.
Farabaugh has been with Memorial’s emergency department for about three years, coming most recently from St. Ann’s in Westerville.
Farabaugh said he appreciates the unified approach of Memorial’s staff.
“This is hands down the best place I’ve ever worked,” he told the board.
Farabaugh has been in the medical field since 2004. From 2004 to 2015, he served in a variety of roles in the United States Army, ultimately ending his service as a Major within the Medical Corps. Formerly, Farabaugh was a Staff Physician and then Deputy Chief of Emergency Medicine at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Before this, he served as Brigade Surgeon for the 41st Fires Brigade, Field Artillery Unit, at Fort Hood, Texas.
Farabaugh completed medical school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and his Emergency Medicine Residency at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood. In addition, he completed the Army-Baylor Masters of Health and Business Administration Program from the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, Farabaugh received numerous awards while serving in the Army, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, both in 2015 for service at Fort Gordon Emergency Department and in 2012 for service as the 41st Fires Brigade Surgeon. In addition, he earned the Army Achievement Medal for providing medical care during the mass casualty shooting that occurred on Nov. 5, 2009, at Fort Hood.
“Memorial is proud to have Dr. Farabaugh join our team,” Dr. Victor Trianfo, Chief Medical Officer for Memorial Health, said in a recent release. “His years of high-caliber experience with our nation’s military will indisputably continue to enhance the services we provide in our emergency department.”
In other business, the board:
-Approved $7,000 in holiday donations to various organizations throughout Memorial’s coverage area.
-Heard and update on Memorial’s ongoing construction projects.
-Appointed Ashley Thompson and Greg Sehnert to the Memorial Medical Group Board.