Putting patients first in the ER and on the Hill

There is no greater reward than making a difference in the lives of others. That’s what Dr. Brian Shiozawa believes — and it’s not just an inspiring expression, it’s his driving force.

Dr. Shiozawa impacted patients’ lives within St. Mark’s Hospital’s Emergency Department for 27 years.

“I was the youngest member of the Emergency Room department when I started. I stayed and grew up with the hospital. That’s where I spent my clinical career, and that’s why St. Mark’s will always be my hospital,” Dr. Shiozawa said.

During his tenure, Dr. Shiozawa served on the Board of Trustees for St. Mark’s Hospital and the statewide Emergency Physicians Integrated Care, or EPIC, organization. Plus, he gave significant and lengthy service as President of the Utah Medical Association and served on the Board of Governors for the Utah Medical Insurance Association.

Better united: Dr. Shiozawa brings ER physicians together

While serving as ER Department Chair at St. Mark’s Hospital for 15 years, Dr. Shiozawa became known for his dedication, honesty, dynamism and leadership within the medical community. Thanks to his reputation, Dr. Shiozawa was able to successfully connect ER physicians along the Wasatch Front and create a powerful group.

“By uniting these physicians, we eventually became the largest emergency physician group in the State of Utah; with current affiliates in Colorado, Wyoming and other states, as well. Joining together fostered collaboration on important issues like quality and patient satisfaction. It also increased efficiency and boosted HCA Healthcare’s reputation in the region,” Dr. Shiozawa said.

The uniting efforts quadrupled coordinating ER physicians, and provided ER physicians for the new Lone Peak Hospital, as well.

“Dr. Shiozawa played a key role in helping ensure that the strategic benefits of this consolidation were realized, including the improvement of patient referral management and quality of emergency services within the regional network of HCA Healthcare hospitals,” Steve Bateman, St. Mark’s CEO at the time, said. “He did much to advance the strength and standing of St. Mark's Hospital.”

Leading the way within St. Mark’s, on the Hill, for the White House & the next generation

As president of the Utah Medical Association and St. Mark’s ER Director, Dr. Shiozawa frequently advocated in the Utah State Capitol for healthcare reform, physicians and patients. He went on to serve as a Utah State Senator for four years; playing an instrumental role in getting a bill passed that increased Utah’s penalty for attacking a healthcare provider or emergency medical service worker.

In fact, Governor Gary Herbert signed the law in a ceremony at St. Mark’s Hospital, making assaults against a healthcare professional a third-degree felony in Utah, an equal in consequence to assaulting a police officer.

“HCA was a big supporter of this bill, as well,” Dr. Shiozawa said. “The Emergency Room can be a dangerous and violent place, and our medical professionals should be protected. This year, Utah legislature broadened that bill to cover all hospital and doctors’ offices staff, giving additional protection.”

In 2017, Dr. Shiozawa retired from St. Mark’s Hospital, completed his senate tenure and began an 18-month assignment from the White House. As a Presidential appointee, he served as the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, representing Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. In this role, he dedicated his efforts to decreasing pharmaceutical costs, fighting the opioid epidemic and increasing affordable health insurance.

Today, Dr. Shiozawa’s influence continues as Associate Vice President of Health Policy at the University of Utah, assisting with legislation on federal and state levels. He also inspires the rising generation of ER physicians as a professor of emergency medicine at the university, where he exemplifies and teaches the values he became known for at St. Mark’s Hospital.

“Long a well-regarded emergency services physician at St. Mark’s, Dr. Shiozawa contributed stability, an even-handed perspective, and sincere concern for individual physicians and hospital employees,” Bateman added. “Dr. Shiozawa is one of the finest physicians I have ever worked with.”