Physician Testimonials

To get a better sense of what it's like to be part of CEP America, hear what other physicians have to say about their experience:

"DeKalb Medical was looking for an emergency services group that would bring gold standard practices to our two hospital Emergency Departments. Not only did CEP America meet that challenge, but they have engaged our ED physicians in a practice model that offers ownership in their local group as well as in a national organization. That sense of ownership has spawned the kinds of innovation and performance we were looking for in our Emergency Departments."

Eric Norwood, FACHE, President and CEO, DeKalb Medical Center

"CEP America is the finest emergency medical group that I've worked with in 25 years. They're fully engaged in their hospital and medical staff partners, and the result is a first class emergency service. At ARMC, where our Emergency Room is among the state's busiest, Dr. Rod Borger (Medical Director, ER) and his talented team of PA's, MD's, and other staff have led the way in redesigning our ER operations to meet the unique needs of a large public hospital. CEP America truly believes in a partnership with its facilities, and that is one of the keys to their success."

Patrick Petre, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

"When I joined CEP 22 years ago, all I wanted to do was get a good job and practice emergency medicine. While I am still a pit doc through and through, CEP America has also given me the opportunity to become involved in the administrative aspect of the Partnership by appointing me to the Credentials and Partnership Affairs Committee (CPAC) five years ago. Now, as the Chairman of CPAC, I have been given the chance to make the Partnership an even better place than when I joined. Becoming part of CEP America was one of the best things I have ever done."

Howard Friedman, M.D., Pomona Valley Hospital

"I have worked for several other physician groups throughout my career, and I believe that no other group is as open and democratic as CEP America. At CEP America, physicians are truly Partners with a vested interest, not employees for a large impersonal organization. As a Partner, you enjoy access to organizational information, including financials and operational data; consequently, Partners build a strong feeling of ownership in the business. Partners also benefit from access to the wealth of experience in the leadership team, and from the outstanding support of CEP America's top-rated services company, MedAmerica. In my opinion, CEP America is an outstanding choice!"

Armando Samaniego, M.D., Medical Director, St. Rose Hospital

"When I joined CEP America, I was looking for a stimulating practice environment with a group that values its Partners as a long-term investment. What I found was that CEP America not only endeavors to treat Partners with all of the fairness of a democratic group, but that opportunities to contribute to our specialty exist in a way that only a group of this size could offer. I am proud to be associated with a group dedicated to integrity and innovation in emergency medicine."

Bret Ginther, M.D., Assistant Medical Director, Inland Valley Medical Center

"I have had the pleasure of experiencing the opportunities that CEP America has to offer. I have grown as a physician and understand more about the business end of the partnership than I ever expected. CEP America gives a template to expand in a career, with many options to diversify and prosper. I can honestly say that CEP America has the greatest opportunities in emergency medicine."

Barbara Victor, M.D., Regional Director, Orange County

"I've been an emergency medicine physician in the Inland Empire region since 1981 and spent a large part of my career with a different medical group. During the past 10 years, I frequently interacted with CEP America physicians and always had a lot of respect for their commitment to providing top-quality care, and for the democracy of their partnership. Their core values and philosophy on patient care mirrored those of my own. Now that I'm a Partner with CEP America, I interact with the best and brightest physicians in California, and I am clinically and academically challenged daily. I'm proud to finally call myself a CEP America Partner."

David Bolivar, M.D., Medical Director, St. Mary Medical Center

"CEP America is committed to the future of the partnership and has taken steps to groom newer, younger Partners for leadership positions. The Medical Director Academy program is just one example of this commitment. As a graduate of the Medical Director Academy, I received the training and resources needed to effectively serve the partnership. CEP America gave me the tools and prepared me to lead. I am now the Medical Director at my site - an opportunity I may not have had elsewhere. It feels good knowing that I am playing a direct role in shaping the future of our partnership and how we practice emergency medicine."

Steven Kim, M.D., Medical Director, Riverside Community Hospital

"As a young physician who had just finished residency, I feared that by joining a large group, I would be “lost in the mix” and wouldn't have a say in matters regarding the day-to-day function of our practice or the group's overall business affairs. I would simply be an employee of a company that does not have my best interests in mind. What I have found is just the opposite. In CEP America, every Partner has the opportunity to make an impact, both at a local level and at the larger partnership level. As Chairman of the New Partner Committee, I think the most compelling feature that exemplifies CEP America’s principles of a democratic partnership is its New Partner Committee. The main goal of this committee is to explore and address the needs and challenges unique to new Partners. It illustrates a true partnership that is always seeking ways to hear and respond to every Partner's voice. CEP America has offered me a very gratifying career that continuously presents new opportunities."

Theo Koury, M.D., Medical Director at Join Muir Medical Center and a Member of the Board of Directors

"CEP America's core values and philosophy parallel my expectations for the type of emergency medicine that I want to practice—equal fairness throughout the entire partnership. CEP America has given me a voice since day one, and seeks to help new Partners achieve their goals and meet their expectations. Another advantage of CEP America is the group's high caliber of physicians. I have been with some of the most talented physicians in the entire field of emergency medicine. Joining CEP America has provided me with a stable work environment in a great location in California. "

Eric Greenberg, M.D., French Hospital Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital

"I chose CEP America, first and foremost, because it is a democratic partnership. Speaking with my fellow program graduates, I’d heard of so-called “democratic partnerships” that turned out to be more like dictatorships. Because CEP America is so well established, it was easy to obtain the information that I needed to make a decision; all the facts were readily accessible to me. Secondly, I wanted to be involved with a group that fostered career advancement, and allowed me to pursue other opportunities in the field of emergency medicine. Lastly, I wanted to become a part of CEP America’s high-caliber physician network. "

Tom Umemoto, M.D., Pomona Valley Medical Center