Joshua Lynch, DO, EMT-P, FACEP

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Dr. Lynch is an emergency physician and EMS medical director from Buffalo, NY. He is a senior physician with UB|MD Emergency Medicine and holds faculty appointments at the University at Buffalo and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Lynch has spent over a decade in EMS leadership and several years as the system medical director at Mercy Flight of WNY (aeromedical and critical care transport).

Dr. Lynch is the creator of MATTERS. This program works to provide efficient buprenorphine training to emergency physicians and create linkages between the hospital and substance use treatment programs. He serves as a technical advisor for the Erie County and New York State Departments of Health. He and his team are proud to have received nearly 3 million dollars in grant funding to support the MATTERS program and widely expand access to high-quality addictions care. The team is also greatly appreciative to our partners at the New York State Department of Health for the contributions to the electronic referral platform.

Brian Clemency, DO, MBA, FACEP, FAEMS

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

Dr. Clemency has been involved in emergency care for nearly 20 years, beginning his career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Dr. Clemency completed both medical school and an MBA in health care administration in 4 years, before coming to Buffalo to continue his medical education. He is double boarded in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Clemency has become a local, regional and national leader in prehospital care, education and research. Dr. Clemency has authored over 30 peer reviewed publications, including 3 on the topic of opioid overdose. Dr. Clemency is the Research Director and oversees external funding.

Katie Rossi, MS

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Katie holds a BS in Health and Wellness and MS in Health and Human Performance. She started working in healthcare in 2012 and quickly discovered a knack for operations, specifically in high stress and complex environments. Her experience spans multiple medical specialties most notably neurology and emergency veterinary medicine. Beyond health and medical operations, her passion lies in leading teams and solving problems.

Robert McCormack, MD, MBA, FACEP

PHYSICIAN ADVISOR

Dr. Robert McCormack is an attending physician in the emergency department of Erie County Medical Center. In addition to his emergency medicine work at ECMC, he is also a Clinical Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Vice Chair at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chief of Service of Emergency Medicine for the Kaleida Health system. Dr. Robert McCormack is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services Community Service Award and the Western New York Heroes award.

Michael O’Brien, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP

DIRECTOR OF CONSULT SERVICES

Dr. O‘Brien is a veteran critical care paramedic, EMS educator, and EMS physician. His clinical practice is split between shifts in the Emergency Department and operational medicine. He provides medical direction to Erie Community College‘s EMS training programs and the Niagara County Sheriff‘s Office Emergency Response Team. Additionally, he is a Medical Director and Flight Physician for Mercy Flight of Western New York.

John McNamara, D.O., FAAEM, FACEP

BUPRENORPHINE EDUCATION SPECIALIST

Dr. McNamara is an emergency physician and EMS medical director in Buffalo, NY. He currently practices at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, ECMC, and Buffalo General Medical Center. He serves as a medical director for several suburban fire departments within Erie and Niagara Counties.

Renoj Varughese, MD

DIRECTOR OF TELEMEDICINE SERVICES

Dr. Varughese is an emergency physician and EMS medical director in Buffalo, NY. He currently practices at Buffalo General Hospital, ECMC and the Veterans Affairs WNY Hospital. His focus is on telemedicine and community paramedicine. He serves as the Telemedicine Director.

Caleigh Loughran

PROGRAM MANAGER

Caleigh Loughran currently serves as program manager for New York MATTERS. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University at Buffalo. While pursuing her degree, Caleigh gained experience in the medical field working as a patient care technician in an emergency department, a nursing assistant, and as a research assistant on a clinical research program. Caleigh plans to continue her education and attend medical school.

Brittani McKay

ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER

Brittani earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science Interdisciplinary from the University at Buffalo, and is expecting to receive her Masters of Science in Communications from Syracuse University this coming October. Brittani has close to a decade of experience in the public health and social work sectors, and brings experience working with multiple generations and for a variety of community causes from mental health, substance abuse, housing, and more. In addition to her varied work experience, she owns and operates her photography business, Just B McKay Photography.

Shelby Arena

HARM REDUCTION COORDINATOR

Shelby earned her dual Bachelor of Arts Degrees in International Relations and Latin American Studies from Canisius College. She has worked in the health and human services sector since 2016 with experience educating and counseling people in reproductive health and justice, domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as mental health and substance use. Shelby is an advocate for harm reduction and is passionate about fostering community connections.

Lucy Connery, MPH

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Lucy Connery came to Buffalo in 2015 to attend Daemen College, where she received her BS in Health Promotion, BA in Spanish, and her Master of Public Health degrees. Connery continued her career in public health at the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo & WNY, working her way up until she was named Executive Director of the small non-profit. There, Connery launched multiple community health initiatives to promote regular physical activity, positive mental health practices, and improved quality of life in WNY. Currently, Lucy Connery works as Research/Outreach Coordinator in the University at Buffalo’s Department of Emergency Medicine, Adjunct Professor in the Daemen MPH Department, and Co-Director of Partnerships and Sponsorships for the Youth Non-Profit Professional Network’s volunteer board of directors.

Brigid Keane

GRADUATE PUBLIC HEALTH FELLOW

Brigid is currently in her last year of the MPH program at Daemen University. She graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in biology with the ambition of going into a field where she was able to help others. Brigid is passionate about being a supportive member of her surrounding communities. She spends her free time doing pilates/other forms of physical activity and spending time with family, friends, and her 2 year old puppy Mochi.

Lauren Lennett

PUBLIC HEALTH FELLOW

Lauren is in her senior at The University at Buffalo majoring in Public Health. She has had leadership experience for several years as a camp counselor and group leader at a summer sleep-away camp in Pennsylvania. Lauren has a passion for taking care of others and helping her greater community.