Fellowship Director
Patrick Hughes, DO, MEHP, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Utah. He serves as the Medical Education Fellowship Director, Simulation Director, and Director of Medical Education and Residency Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine. He completed a Medical Simulation Fellowship at Summa Akron City Hospital and earned a Master of Education in the Health Professions (MEHP) from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining the University of Utah, Dr. Hughes was the Associate Program Director and Simulation Director for the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Emergency Medicine Residency Program. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and has served as a co-investigator or consultant on over $10 million in grant funding from the NIH, NASA, NSF, and DoD. His simulation work has been featured by CNN and The New York Times. His professional interests include curriculum development, mentorship, and simulation-based education. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the mountains of Utah, and savoring a good cup of coffee. He is committed to creating a personalized fellowship experience that supports each fellow’s success.
Brian Merritt, DO
I’m Brian, and I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team as the incoming medical education fellow. I grew up in rural western Pennsylvania, where I also completed my undergraduate and medical education before making the move to sunny Florida for residency. My fiancé and I couples matched in the Tampa area for residency, and she recently matched into the PICU fellowship at the U of U, and we will be moving to SLC with our dog, Marcy.
I love to fly fish, hike, and spend my time outdoors. My passions within medicine include education, EBM, and procedural skills. I’m so excited to join the team, to continue my education and to live in close proximity to mountains and in such a beautiful area!
Julia Ruggieri, MD
I'm from Honolulu, Hawaii and attended medical school at the University of Hawaii. I spent the next 3 years here at the University of Utah for residency, having followed my husband here after he matched into the internal medicine program. We will both be completing our dream fellowship programs in Utah and could not be more excited to continue our careers here. I feel extremely lucky that I get to continue working with the amazing faculty, residents, and staff here!
In my free time I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, vegetable and flower gardening, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding and being outside with my chocolate lab, Chip!
Education Faculty
Patrick Hughes, DO - Medical Education Fellowship Director, Simulation Director, Director of Medical Education and Residency Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine
Brendan Cummins, MD - Assistant Residency Program Director (IMC)
Alyrene Dorey, MD - EM Core Clerkship Director
Megan Fix, MD - Vice Chair of Education Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Allison Beaulieu, MD MAEd - Residency Program Director, Director of GME Educational Development
Christine Raps, MD - Assistant Residency Program Director, EM Sub-I Director
Robert Stephen, MD - Associate Residency Program Director