ECMC Award Honors Pugh as Distinguished Physician

She holds dual roles as chief of emergency medicine at ECMC and immediate past president of its Medical Executive Committee. She was also recently appointed director of the MD-PhD Program at the Jacobs School.

Her contributions extend beyond ECMC, as she actively serves as an emergency medicine physician for the Buffalo Sabres.

Throughout her career, Pugh has demonstrated a deep commitment to patient care, physician well-being and medical education. She has been a prominent advocate for professional development and wellness as former president of the ECMC medical/dental staff and has been actively involved in teaching and mentorship for medical students and emergency medicine residents.

She has presented to national audiences at prestigious forums such as the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., and has contributed to important discussions through her publications, including articles on the 2017 cyberattack and the resilience of ECMC.

Pugh has received numerous awards, including recognition from Buffalo Spree as one of the “Top Doctors in Western New York,” the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the New York American College of Emergency Physicians’ Young Physicians Leadership and Advocacy Award, among others.

A proud alumna of the University at Buffalo, she studied as an undergraduate student in the University Honors Program. Pugh earned her medical degree and master’s of business administration degree from the Jacobs School, after which she further honed her skills through a residency in emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

She is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Pugh received the award during ECMC’s 34th annual Springfest Gala May 10 at the Buffalo Convention Center.