Benton Hunter, MD, is a 2007 graduate from the Indiana University School of Medicine emergency medicine residency program and has been a faculty member at IU since. Hunter is currently a professor of emergency medicine with tenure. He has served as an associate editor for New England Journal of Medicine's Journal Watch, a writer for the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Key Advances series, a decision editor for Academic Emergency Medicine and an NFL sideline physician. His research, publishing and teaching interests include a wide range of topics, including evidence-based medicine and systematic reviews, cardiac arrest, acute stroke care, sepsis and cardiovascular disorders.
Hunter will present "Update on Acute Stroke in the ED" at the Airway, Breathing, Celebration CME event as part of the Department of Emergency Medicine residency program's 50th anniversary celebration. He said, "I hope attendees will feel more confident with early decision making in the acute stroke patient, having a thorough grasp of recent associated literature."
Question: Looking back on your training, what drew you to this residency program, and what experience or moment continues to stand out for you today?
Hunter: I was mostly drawn by the people, the leadership (Carey, Kevin, and Chris at the time), other “cool” faculty, and the residents themselves. And that’s what still stands out to me. The friends I made, the camaraderie and the graduation ceremonies.
Q: In what ways did this program shape your approach to emergency medicine and influence your career path or leadership journey?
Hunter: I would not have anticipated how I ultimately turned out. I never expected to pursue an academic career, nor did I imagine I would focus on evidence-based medicine or research. What changed that trajectory was the passion of the people I trained with and learned from. Those who were most engaged in teaching and mentorship also seemed to be having the most fun — and that stayed with me.
Q: What lesson, value or habit from residency still guides your work as an emergency physician today?
Hunter: I never did let go of the idea that there is always someone watching how hard you are working and comparing you to your peers.
Q: As you reflect on your career and the evolution of emergency medicine, what does the program’s 50th anniversary mean to you personally?
Hunter: Reaching a half-century of excellence is truly rare, and it speaks to the strength and lasting impact of this program. Knowing that thousands of outstanding emergency medicine physicians have trained here, and that I’ve had the privilege not only to be one of them, but also to help train hundreds myself, makes this milestone especially meaningful to me.
Q: What are you most excited about when you think about the future of emergency medicine and the next generation of physicians?
Hunter: I’m excited for the advances that continue to be made in our field. Not only the new treatments or diagnostic methods, but also things that make finding information easier, learning easier, etc. And of course, I continue to be inspired and uplifted by the great attitude and energy of our learners, which never seems to wane despite what seems like an endless increase in challenges for emergency medicine doctors and medicine in general.
