UTMB Grad Puts EM on the Map: Founding Allegheny General’s Program and Inspiring 'The Pitt'

In 1982, Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) launched its Emergency Medicine Residency Program, laying the foundation for decades of innovation, education, and lifesaving care. Today, the program stands not only as a leader in clinical training but also as the real-life setting of the acclaimed medical drama series The Pitt, bringing national attention to the grit and resilience of emergency medicine. 

At the helm of AGH’s Emergency Department was Dr. Emily Jean Lucid (top photo), a UTMB graduate and a dynamic leader whose vision continues to shape the culture of compassionate, high-performance care. Her leadership bridges the past and future of emergency medicine, connecting the program’s early legacy with its modern-day impact. 

AGH quickly became a pioneer in the specialty. Among its many firsts, AGH was one of the earliest sites in the country to incorporate point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) into routine emergency department care, helping to revolutionize bedside diagnostics and set the stage for widespread adoption of emergency department sonography. In addition, some of the initial work in cooling in cardiac arrest was performed in Emergency Medicine at AGH. 

Notably, one of the program’s founding figures, Dr. Dietrich Jehle (bottom photo)—now Chair of Emergency Medicine at UTMB—was among the pioneering physicians in AGH’s ED when the program began in 1982. Dr. Jehle reflects, “We were building something meaningful from the ground up, and it’s incredible to see how far it’s come—not only in medicine but as a symbol of resilience on the screen and in real life.” 

The anniversary of the AGH Emergency Medicine Program marks a celebration of history, leadership, and the power of mentorship. With alumni now serving in top institutions across the country, the program’s legacy remains as vital today as it was over four decades ago.