University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health has appointed Dr. Fermin Barrueto Jr., M.D., senior vice president, medical affairs/chief medical officer.

Barrueto has served as regional director and chairman for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UM Upper Chesapeake Health since 2008. In this capacity, he oversaw the emergency departments at UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air and UM Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace.

"Dr. Barrueto has been a valuable member of the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health team for many years," said Lyle E. Sheldon, president/CEO. "His leadership of our emergency medicine departments has helped us provide the best possible care to our community. In his new role, I look forward to the impact Dr. Barrueto will have in helping us create the healthiest community in Maryland."

Double-board certified in emergency medicine and medical toxicology, Barrueto is also a clinical associate professor for the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, where he teaches the toxicology curriculum for emergency medicine residents.

Barrueto has written more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and over 50 different textbook chapters. He has presented research from medical toxicology as well as emergency department operations both nationally and internationally.

Additionally, he has led various new population health initiatives including assessing clinical variation among emergency medicine physicians, instituting a low risk chest pain protocol and developing a highly effective high risk care plan program.

About University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health
In December 2013, Upper Chesapeake Health became University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health. It consists of the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center in Bel Air and the University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace. The leading health care system and largest private employer in Harford County, UM Upper Chesapeake Health offers a broad range of health care services, technology and facilities to the residents of northeastern Maryland. Visit www.umuch.org for more information.