American College of Emergency PhysiciansThe Golden Blade Award
Golden Blade Awards
The Golden Blade Award is presented annually by ACEP’s YPS to honor exceptional young emergency physicians who demonstrate…
- Outstanding clinical acumen under pressure
- Unwavering professional integrity
- Deep commitment to the specialty
- Capacity for leadership or significant impact in their field.
The Golden Blade Award symbolizes the precision, speed, and dedication required of emergency physicians - these early-career physicians are the honed professionals shaping the future of the specialty.
This Year’s Golden Blade Award Winners
Joseph Graterol, MD
UC San Francisco
About Joseph
Joe Graterol, MD is Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at UCSF and Attending Physician at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. He’s the Medical Director of the Community Paramedicine Division of the San Francisco Fire Department. His scholarly interests are in Social Emergency Medicine, Medical Education and Emergency Medical Services.
Anna Yap, MD
UC Davis School of Medicine
About Anna
Dr. Anna Yap is an emergency physician, Assistant Professor at UC Davis, and director of its Health Policy and Administration Fellowship. A national leader in organized medicine, she is known for trailblazing advocacy, infectious enthusiasm, and mentoring physicians to find their voice and shape the future of medicine.
Madeline Ross, MD, MPH
University of Colorado Hospital
About Madeline
Dr. Maddie Ross is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine, serving also as an Associate Program Director for the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine and Assistant Director for the Global Emergency Medicine & Public Health Fellowship. With longstanding work in global emergency care systems development, immigration and newcomer health, and medical education, she remains committed to the realization of universal access to high-quality emergency care for all.
The Purpose & Who is Eligible.
Purpose
To formally recognize an emergency physician who has completed residency training within 10 years for demonstrating:
- Exceptional Clinical Skill: Mastery and rapid application of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in high-pressure environments.
- Unwavering Professionalism & Integrity: Consistently upholding the highest ethical standards, displaying maturity, responsibility, and respect towards patients, colleagues, and staff – embodying a role model for young physicians.
- Dedicated Commitment to Emergency Medicine: A sustained passion for EM beyond minimal requirements, actively engaging in lifelong learning, professional development within ACEP/YPS, or contributing significantly to the specialty's advancement locally.
- Leadership Potential & Impact: Showing initiative and influence that positively affects patient care, departmental operations, teaching, or engagement with the ACEP-YPS community.
This award aims to identify a clinician of unusual promise and achievement in their formative years within emergency medicine.
Eligibility
Eligible Members: Must be an active member of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Physician Status: Must be residency trained and practicing emergency medicine as a board-eligible or board-certified emergency physician or fellow.
Years Since Residency Completion: Must have completed residency training and begun fellowship or regular emergency medicine practice within the last 0-10 years. This includes:
- Physicians who recently graduated from residency or will have graduated from residency by the time the award is given at the annual meeting.
- Established physicians still practicing EM actively after completing their initial certification requirements, but within the first decade of independent practice after residency and fellowship, if applicable.
Active Practice: Must be currently and regularly employed/practicing emergency medicine as an attending physician or in an equivalent role involving significant direct patient care responsibilities.