The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is pleased to announce Destiny D. Folk, MD, as the 2026-2027 J. David Barry, MD, American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Scholar.
Dr. Folk is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she serves as core faculty for the Emergency Medicine Residency Program and co-director of the Support, Tracking, and Referral (STAR) Program, a GME-wide resident wellness initiative. Her scholarly work focuses on resident well-being and interventions to improve residency training environments.
The ABMS Scholars Program is a year-long, part-time research program that supports early-career physicians in their research and facilitates their evolution as health care leaders within and across the ABMS community. ABMS Scholars’ research contributes to the medical literature that supports the development and ongoing assessment of specialists who positively impact the quality, safety, and value of patient care. Learn more about the ABMS Scholars program.
ABEM is proud to sponsor the J. David Barry, MD, Scholar annually. This opportunity honors the legacy of Dr. Barry, an inspiring member of the ABEM Board of Directors, a dedicated volunteer, and an advocate for work in physician wellness and burnout. Learn more about Dr. Barry and his legacy.
Destiny D. Folk, MD, will evaluate burnout, mistreatment, and in-training examination performance among Emergency Medicine Residents for her ABMS Scholars Program project.
Dr. Folk studied at North Carolina State University, earned her medical degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center. She has received multiple awards for resident research, teaching, and clinical education.
“ABEM looks forward to working with Dr. Folk throughout the ABMS Scholars Program and seeing the valuable insights her research will bring,” said Michael Gottlieb, MD, MBA, ABEM Director of Research. “Her work will strengthen our understanding of resident well-being and contribute to the continued advancement of Emergency Medicine education and assessment.”
The American Board of Emergency Medicine certifies emergency physicians who meet its educational, professional, and exam standards. Over 50,000 physicians are ABEM-certified, ensuring the highest standards in Emergency Medicine. ABEM certification is sought and earned by emergency physicians on a voluntary basis. ABEM is accredited by the NCCA and is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
