Dr. Derek Meeks Named Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians
Dr. Derek Meeks, Vice Dean of the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been named a 2020 Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians by the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP).
“I am honored and humbled to be granted this esteemed recognition, especially given the very competitive nature of the designation,” said Dr. Meeks. “This is a significant milestone for my career. It fuels my desire to make a positive difference for my students, colleagues, and patients. I love the practice of emergency medicine and look forward to continuing to serve both the academic and general medical communities in which I work.”
In addition to active involvement with ACOEP, the criteria for the award includes making a significant contribution to the specialty of emergency medicine in the osteopathic profession, active involvement in leadership and education of emergency medicine, publication of scientific articles or reference materials in the field of emergency medicine in nationally peer-reviewed periodicals, among many others.
As the current medical director for the Emergency Department at Boulder City Hospital, Dr. Meeks has been practicing medicine for nearly three decades and obtained his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Health Sciences, Kansas City. He has served on various medical boards, including Boulder City Hospital, Clark County Medical Society Board, Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association Board, and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Education.
When COVID-19 hit Nevada in March and Touro transitioned to remote courses, Dr. Meeks developed a virtual rotation for students and created an online clinical curriculum, altering pre-conceived notions of how medicine could be taught. This innovative approach enabled students to continue building a strong medical education foundation while completing assignments remotely, developing new collaborative skills, improving their overall adaptability, and earning a more consistent pool of knowledge to be applied wherever they go upon graduation.
“I can’t think of a more deserving individual than Dr. Meeks to receive this illustrious honor, especially given his recent efforts and contribution to the local medical community since the pandemic hit earlier this year,” said Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University Nevada. “Dr. Meeks is a force to be reckoned with, and it’s been a privilege working alongside him as a colleague. His ability to adapt clinical rotations to a virtual format was remarkably forward-thinking and visionary, demonstrating personal innovation that is paving the way for Touro students and the future of healthcare for Nevada and beyond.”
The 2020 Fellowship celebration will be held in conjunction with ACOEP’s Virtual Scientific Assembly sometime this fall.
Learn More About Touro Nevada's DO Program