More than 40 physicians provide care at the St. John Hospital and Medical Center Emergency Center. All are board certified in either Emergency Medicine or Pediatric Emergency Medicine. See below to learn about their qualifications and interests.
All St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJH&MC) ER physicians are board certified in emergency medicine, ensuring that you get the best care possible.
Physician Leadership
All physicians below are affiliated with St. John Hospital and Medical Center's Emergency Center. Below the physician names is information on the administrative leadership within the Emergency Center.
Victor R. Abuel, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Abuel received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1998 and completed residency in Emergency Medicine at St John Hospital & Medical Center in 2001. He has worked at the various hospitals in St John Health and is part of the teaching faculty at both St John Hospital & Medical Center and St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital ? Oakland Center. Dr. Abuel is also serving as Director of Emergency Medicine at St John Health's newest facility, St. John Medical Center - Macomb Township. His interests include clinical teaching and computer technologies of all types. He is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Outside of work, Dr. Abuel enjoys traveling, fine dining, mountain biking, and digital photography.
Elizabeth L. Bascom, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Hafez M. Bazzi, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Don M. Benson, DO
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Benson has been with St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJH&MC) since 1992. Prior to attending medical school, his work experiences have included serving in the US Navy (1969 - 71); work as a professional guitarist, truck driver, and as a Millwright (1972 - 78). He graduated from nursing school at Macomb Community College in 1978 and worked in an intensive care unit for two years. From 1980 to 1982, he worked as an RN at Detroit Receiving Hospital and as a flight nurse for the Detroit Medical Center's helicopter medical transport service. He completed a BS degree in Physiologic Psychology in 1981 at Wayne State University, and did an additional year of study in graduate physiology before beginning medical school in 1982.
Attending medical school at the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Benson graduated in 1986, receiving awards in physiology and appointment to the school's honor fraternity. After a one-year rotating internship at Mount Clemens General Hospital, he completed residency training in emergency medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1990. He worked at the Detroit Medical Center for two years before coming to St. John Health.
As a physician, Dr. Benson has been an active researcher and academic. He has an interest in resuscitation, and has published several papers in major journals studying the science of CPR. In 1994, he started the residency program in emergency medicine at SJH&MC, a program he ran for 15 years.
Currently, Dr. Benson works as a staff emergency physician at SJH&MC as well as several hospitals in the upper peninsula of Michigan. He also is active in pursuing other passions -- playing and coaching ice hockey, and continuing to play guitar for a local rhythm and blues band. He is married with 3 grown children and calls Harrison Township his home.
Spyridon Boukouris, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Boukouris completed his medical degree at Wayne State School of Medicine in 2005 and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in 2008. His interest has been in emergency ultrasonography and has recently completed a mini-fellowship at University California Irvine Medical Center to further advance his skills. Dr. Boukouris is credentialed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and is serving as emergency ultrasound director for St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital. Dr. Boukouris also is an ACLS instructor with interest in the field of Resuscitation. He is fluent in Greek with basic understanding in Spanish. Outside of the department, Dr. Boukouris, enjoys spending time with his family and holds many interests, some of which include: videography and digital photography, swimming, and ski-shooting.
Leonard V. Bunting, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital, St. John River District Hospital
Dr. Leonard Bunting received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 2003. During his residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital he focused on critical care and emergency ultrasound. He furthered his ultrasound training by completing a mini-fellowship at the University of Massachusetts and now heads the emergency ultrasound program here at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.
Robert B. Dunne, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Robert Dunne graduated from the University of Michigan's Inteflex program (a combined bachelors degree MD program). He completed emergency medicine residency training at Henry Ford Hospital In Detroit, MI where he was chief resident. He has served as EMS coordinator, associate program director and research director. He has held faculty positions at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University He is currently the vice chief of emergency medicine and St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.
He is the author of peer reviewed papers, book chapters and educational materials. He lectures extensively on EMS, preparedness and topics in trauma and emergency medicine. Dr Dunne has served as a tactical medical physician for the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Special Response Team and the Michigan FBI SWAT team. He has served as faculty for the basic SWAT course. Robert Dunne is a supervisory medical officer on MI-1 Disaster Medical Assistance team, a federal medical team. He has been deployed for many Hurricanes from 1997 to the present, including Katrina, the World Trade Center response and many special events.
He serves on the NDMS senior medical policy work group. He serves on the State of Michigan Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee, where he is the co- author of the State Model Weapons of Mass Destruction Treatment protocols. He is President of Michigan's ACEP chapter. He has also serves on the ACEP Disaster Committee nationally.
Jerrold R. Fisher, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Fisher completed his medical degree at the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1990. He has be a staff physician at St John Hospital since completing residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1993. He has been a faculty member of the Emergency Medicine residency since its inception in 1997. Dr. Fisher is the director of procedure education, the procedure lab, and medical and trauma simulations. He is the medical director for the ACLS course for the hospital and an ATLS instructor. His interests include resuscitation, wound care and shift work.
James M. Fox, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Fox has been practicing emergency medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center since 1989. He has a strong interest in the economics of health care, and has lectured locally, within the state and on a national level regarding coding/billing and reimbursement issues in emergency medicine. He has been an active member of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) reimbursement committee since the mid 90s. Dr. Fox is an advocate for physician payment issues on a state and national level, and has a strong interest in organized medicine.
On a teaching level, Dr. Fox is a clinical associate professor at Wayne State University in the Department of Emergency Medicine and has held that position since 1994. He enjoys teaching residents about reimbursement issues and strengthening their knowledge base.
Dr. Fox currently sits on Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) Third Party Liaison Committee, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Carrier Advisory Committee and the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians Blue Cross Blue Shield Liaison Committee.
He completed his undergraduate degree at Albion College, medical school at Wayne State University, and residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Dr. Fox has been married for more than 23 years and has three beautiful children. In his spare time, he enjoys alpine skiing, golfing and boating.
Dr. Fox was recognized as a Top Doc in emergency medicine by Hour Detroit magazine in 2008.
Wilma V. Henderson, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Wilma V. Henderson, M.D., FACEP is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Pharmacy and University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her Emergency Medicine residency training at Detroit Receiving Hospital (DRH) and served as one of the chief residents during her training. Dr. Henderson has held academic faculty positions in the Department of Emergency Medicine, including Assistant Residency Director and Medical Student Coordinator while at DRH and is currently an Associate Clinical Professor and Clinical Staff Attending at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. She has also been a preceptor for Physician Assistant students and Nurse Practitioners and coordinated mentoring and student advisor activities. Recipient of many teaching awards, including WSU Medical School Teaching Award and Black Medical Association Teaching Award. Author of several peer reviewed papers and book chapters,section editor and developer of educational materials for medical students. She has been active on the national level as an ABEM Oral Board Examiner, participating on several ACEP advisory committees and has served on the WSU School of Medicine Admissions Committee.Has interfaced with the community through volunteer work with the United Way , youth programs and homeless projects. Interests include: advocacy for the underprivileged, drug toxicity/pharmacology, palliative care, medical student and resident education.
Charlene B. Irvin, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
After graduating from University of Michigan (Chemical Engineering degree (Magna Cum Laude) followed by Medical School at the University of Michigan), she completed her residency training and a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. She then joined the faculty at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.
She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the hospital, and also serves on numerous hospital committees. She is currently the Research Director and Assistant Vice Chief in the Department of Emergency Medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Irvin also is an Associate Clinical Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Her research interests focus on public health issues, trauma, pediatrics, and end of life issues. She has served on the editorial board at Academic Emergency Medicine, and continues as a peer reviewer for both Academic Emergency Medicine and Annals of Emergency medicine. She has been recognized as an outstanding reviewer for Academic Emergency Medicine for 3 years. She has also served as an oral board examiner for the American board of Emergency Medicine.
She is active in ACEP (currently serving on the Public Health Committee and the Public Relations Committee), SAEM (currently in the Evidence Based Medicine Committee and the Public Health Committee), and MCEP (currently serving on the Disaster Preparedness committee). She lectures nationally to medical students on the art of balancing family life with emergency medicine.
Her outside interests include mission work, resident education, mentoring, gardening, and pottery . She has also published a book describing her appreciation for family life (she has 4 children) after working in the emergency department (The Patients Gift), and is the editor on a book describing how a young girl learns to deal with diabetes (I've got a secret by Jade Gamber) which has raised more than $20,000 for juvenile diabetes research.
Dr. Irvin was recognized as a To
Edward J. Kakish, DO
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Christopher I. Loewe, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Loewe graduated from the Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. He received his MD degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed emergency medicine residency training at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan where he was chief resident. Prior to that he had completed a residency in Internal Medicine also at St John Hospital and Medical Center and was also board certified in Internal Medicine. Currently he works for Emergency Medicine Specialists and holds a faculty position in the Department of Emergency Medicine at St John Hospital and Medical Center. He also is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Loewe holds a monthly ECG conference for the Emergency Medicine residents and medical students at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. He is an ATLS instructor. Every July he lectures to all of the incoming Emergency Medicine residents from Detroit Receiving Hospital, Grace Hospital, and St John Hospital and Medical Center on AMI as part of their orientation. He is on the Credentials Committee at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.
Charlotte A. Logan, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Logan provides emergency medicine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to those needing expert medical attention.
Marson Ma, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital, St. John River District Hospital
Jeffrey T. Nigl, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital
Patricia P. Nouhan, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Patricia Petrella Nouhan MD, FACEP graduated from the University of Michigan undergraduate, Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her EM / IM combined residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. Upon completing residency, Dr. Nouhan began her teaching career at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. She began as the Medical Student Coordinator, then moved into the Assistant Residency Directorship for 12 years. She is currently the Program Director of Emergency Medicine at SJH & MC and began that role in January of 2009. She is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Nouhan is a board member of the St. John Community Health Investment Corporation. She is the Medical Director of the Wayne County Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program. Dr. Nouhan is the initiating Medical Director of the Tactical Emergency Medicine group at St. John Hospital, affiliated with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team. Her areas of research interest include resident education and evaluation. Dr. Nouhan enjoys spending her free time with her husband and three children, reading, traveling and enjoying the arts.
Teresa M. Oxholm, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Margarita E. Pena, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Margarita graduated from Northwestern University, received her medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago, and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Michigan State University-affiliated Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan in 1994 where she was chief resident. She has been with the St. John Emergency Medicine Program since its inception in 1994, is currently the Associate Program Director and holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor at Wayne State University College of Medicine. She is also the Medical Director for the Clinical Decision Unit at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.
Robert M. Sills, DO
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Robert Sills received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed his residency in Pediatrics and a Fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Cardinal Glennon Children?s Hospital /St. Louis University. He held a faculty position at Cardinal Glennon and served on their Air Hospital Transport Team. In 1995, Dr. Sills and his family moved to Michigan where he joined the EMS PC group to help start the Pediatric Emergency Medicine program at St John Hospital.
Dr. Sills is currently the Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine as well an Associate Program Director of the EM residency at St John Hospital. He has coauthored several book chapters and review articles and his research interests include toxicology, trauma and pediatric resuscitation.
Dr. sill was recognized by his peers as one of Metro Detroit's most respected pediatric emergency specialist in Hour Detroit magazine's annual "Top Docs" rankings in 2008.
Kristine M. Sizemore, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Kristine Sizemore, M.D. graduated from the University of Michigan and received her medical degree from the University of Michigan. She completed her emergency medicine residency training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where she was chief resident. She has been with the St. John Emergency Medicine program since 1996. She is a member of the Organ Transplant Committee and is an advocate for the Gift of Life.
Robert L. Smith, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Anthony C. Southall, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Southall graduated from King?s College Hospital Medical School, University of London, England. He was trained in general surgery and joined the department of emergency medicine at St. John Hospital & Medical Center (SJH&MC) in 1975, becoming vice-chief in 1980 and chief from 1986 to 2008.
He has served on many committees and boards of both the hospital and outside organizations, including as President of the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, EMS organizations and hospital and organized medicine committees.
He holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor in emergency medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Southall has received multiple awards including the Ronald L. Krome, M.D. Meritorius Service Award of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians in 1996, Physician of the Year Award of Saint John Hospital and Medical Center Guild in 2005 and the Wayne County Medical Society Professional Achievement Award in 2008.
He has been president of Emergency Medicine Specialists, P.C. since 1996. He served as president of the medical staff at Saint John North Shores Hospital from 1999 to 2004 and chief of staff since that time. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees at Saint John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit since 2004.
Robert B. Takla, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Robert Takla graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan and was an Angell Scholar in the college of Literature Science and Art. After a year of at University of California, San Francisco, he returned to attend medical school at the University of Michigan followed by residency in emergency medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Robert joined the staff at St John Hospital and Medical Center in 1996 and has served in numerous leadership and faculty roles including Clinical Assistant Professor at both Michigan State University and Wayne State University of School of Medicine. He was the former Medical Director of Region 2 North Bio-defense network for the State of Michigan as well as medical director for pre-hospital and tactical EMS.
Dr. Takla returned to school to earn his business degree graduating with honors from the Executive MBA program at the University Of Michigan Ross School Of Business. He is a certified physician executive through ACPE and is currently the Chair and Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at St John Hospital and Medical Center.
As Medical Director, his goal is to continuously improve patient care, patient satisfaction, and efficiency in the emergency center. His other interests include medical malpractice reviews, mentoring undergraduate students, disaster planning and preparedness, and lecturing on antiplatelets and antithrombotics in acute coronary syndrome.
He serves on the advisory board for ED Management, Kids on Go, and the Sauve Art Foundation. His other outside interests include scuba diving and volleyball.
Ronald L. Thies, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital, St. John River District Hospital
Dr. Thies completed a Bachelor?s degree in Chemistry (magna cum laude) at Wayne State University in 1996. After that he was a production chemist for a pharmaceutical manufacturer. He then went on to complete medical school in 2002 also at Wayne State University (and was in AOA medical honor society). After completing school he did his residency training at Detroit Receiving Hospital. He then joined the physician group at St. John Hospital & Medical Center.
Recently he took over the position of Director of Emergency Services at St. John River District Hospital in St. Clair. Outside work he enjoys travel, racquetball and golf.
Anne T. Tintinalli, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Alakh N. Varma, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Varma is board certified in Pediatrics. He graduated from MGM Medical College. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.
Catherine Vretta, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Vretta completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, and then received a Master's Degree in Public Health at the University of Michigan, followed by medical school at Wayne State University and a residency at Grace Hospital in Detroit. She was editor of the Emergency Medicine Professional Journal from approximately 2000 until 2005, and has been published in Emergency Medicine for the Primary Care Physician (September 2003) and in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Vretta has had studies presented at the SAEM Mid Atlantic Regional and SAEM New York Regional and a poster presentation at SAEM Western Regional meeting. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and their golden retriever.
Joseph L. Warren, DO
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital
Douglas J. Wheaton, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital
Dr. Wheaton graduated in 1989 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison after completing both his undergraduate and medical school. After completing his Emergency Medicine residency at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1992 he joined St. John Hospital and Medical Center as an attending physician. He is married to Dr. Jenny Oaks, an Emergency Medicine physician at the Detroit Medical Center and they have two children. Dr. Wheaton enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, sports, especially downhill skiing and weight lifting.
Ian B. Wilds, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital, St. John River District Hospital
Dr. Wilds graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his residency through St. John Hospital and Medical Center in 2008. He was Chief Resident from 2007-2008. Since that time, he has been employed by Emergency Medicine Specialists and is on staff at several hospitals.
Keith C. Wilkinson, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John North Shores Hospital, St. John River District Hospital
Keith Wilkinson, MD, graduated Cum Laude from College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA, then went to medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He is dual board-certified in Internal Medicine (residency at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) and Emergency Medicine (residency at William Beaumont Royal Oak where he was chief resident). He then completed a teaching fellowship through the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and has been a recipient of many honors and awards, including the National Faculty Teaching Awards from ACEP. The author of numerous publications, Dr. Wilkinson is a reviewer for the Annuals of Emergency Medicine, and has held numerous committee and leadership positions including president of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians.
Deniese L. Worthy, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, St. John North Shores Hospital
Hashim M. Yar, MD
Hospital Privileges: St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Hashim graduated from University of Bombay in 1979. Completed pediatric residency in children hospital of MI (CHM) in 1986. Remained as a full time staff physician in the Emergency Department of CHM till 1999 and part time till 2008. He earned master of science hospital administration from central Michigan university in 1992. Hashim is a clinical associate professor of pediatric and emergency medicine in Wayne state university school of Medicine. He has been working as regional medical director for blue cross and blue shield of Michigan since 1999. He is board certified in general pediatric and pediatric emergency medicine. His main interest is administration and pediatric trauma.
Administrative Leadership in the SJH&MC Emergency Center
Patricia Mayne, Director
Patricia has been working in the emergency nursing field for more than 25 years. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from The University of Michigan, followed by a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration. She has been the Administrative Director at SJH&MC's Emergency Center and Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) since May of 2002.
Prior to SJH&MC, Patricia was the Administrative Director of Borgess Hospital's Level I Trauma Center in Kalamazoo. She is board certified in Emergency Nursing as well. Patricia recently assumed leadership over the St. John North Shores Hospital and St. John Medical Center - Macomb Township Emergency Departments, as well as Eastside Pediatrics and After Hours Medical Care in St. Clair Shores.
Arlene Boelstler, Clinical Manager, Emergency Center
Arlene is the Clinical Nurse Manager in the Emergency Center of SJH&MC. Previously, she was Assistant Clinical Manager at St. John Medical Center – Macomb Township. Her nursing experience began in 1998 with experience on both a medical/surgical floor, and many years as an ER nurse at SJH&MC. Arlene also has worked extensively on St. John Health’s eCare (electronic medical record) project. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Oakland University. In her spare time, she enjoys her family, reading, camping, skiing, jogging, community service, and continuing education.
Andrea Phillips, Clinical Manager, Clinical Decision Unit
Andrea manages the 30-bed short stay Clinical Decision Unit for emergency patients that require further evaluation. She also will be the Chest Pain Center Coordinator once SJH&MC receives accreditation in this area (currently in process). Andrea has been with SJH&MC for one year. She previously worked at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center where she managed a 40-bed telemetry unit and an 8-bed interventional cardiology unit, additionally opening an interventional cardiac specialty unit in 2004.
Andrea will complete her BSN at Excelsior College in early 2009. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys family time with her three children.
