Medical Director, Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Emergency Department
Brenda Foley, MD, FACEP, serves as the Medical Director of the Emergency Department (ED) at Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, a position she has held since July 2021. She initially joined Doylestown Health’s Emergency Department in 2008, serving as Assistant Medical Director from July 2008 until June 2021. Additionally, Dr. Foley held leadership roles within the hospital’s medical staff, acting as President of the Medical Staff from July 2021 to June 2023, Vice President from July 2019 to July 2021, and Secretary/Treasurer from July 2017 to June 2019. Her broad tenure reflects deep institutional knowledge and influence within both the clinical and administrative domains of Doylestown Health.
Professional Experience and Leadership
- Medical Director, Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Emergency Department (Jul 2021–Present)
- Assistant Medical Director, Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Emergency Department (Jul 2008–Jun 2021)
- President, Medical Staff, Doylestown Health (Jul 2021–Jun 2023)
- Vice President, Medical Staff, Doylestown Health (Jul 2019–Jul 2021)
- Secretary/Treasurer, Medical Staff, Doylestown Health (Jul 2017–Jun 2019)
- Board Member, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. (Jun 2017–Apr 2023)
Dr. Foley is recognized for her leadership in emergency medicine and hospital administration, including her presidency of a medical staff of over 600 providers across more than 50 specialties in a comprehensive healthcare system serving Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Education
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), Medical College of Pennsylvania (1994–1998)
- Emergency Medicine Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals (1999–2002)
- Pediatrics Internship, Inova Fairfax Hospital (1998–1999)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Comprehensive Science, Minor in Business, Villanova University (1990–1994)
Awards and Recognition
- Scott Levy, MD, Physician Trailblazer Award, Doylestown Health (2025)
- First recipient of this prestigious award established to honor innovative leadership and commitment to advancing medical practice at Doylestown Health. Dr. Foley’s pioneering efforts in combating opioid use disorder earned unanimous Medical Staff support.
- Castle Connelly Top Doctor (since 2023)
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor in Emergency Medicine (2024)
Key Contributions and Initiatives
Dr. Foley is distinguished for her leadership in addressing the opioid epidemic, especially within emergency care settings. Her initiatives include:
- Narcotic Responsible Hospital Policy: Developed and implemented a policy within the ED emphasizing evidence-based, non-narcotic pain management strategies. This policy was adopted hospital-wide, resulting in a significant reduction in opioid prescriptions and expanded non-narcotic pain relief options.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Introduced the use of buprenorphine in the ED to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings for patients with opioid use disorder, facilitating improved recovery outcomes.
- Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS): Established 24/7 bedside counseling services in the ED by certified recovery specialists, offering immediate support to patients during critical moments.
- Community Partnerships: Active involvement with the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission and local organizations to raise awareness, promote safe disposal of medications, and provide harm reduction resources such as Narcan and fentanyl/xylazine testing strips.
- Safe Disposal Programs: Oversaw installation of permanent medication and sharps disposal boxes in the ED, supporting the community in safely discarding over 230,000 medications and 10,000 sharps, with recognition for the hospital’s role in excess medication collection regionally.
Institutional Context: Doylestown Health
Doylestown Health is a not-for-profit, community teaching hospital with a 245-bed capacity and a medical staff exceeding 600 providers. Recognized for high standards of patient safety and care quality, the hospital is ranked 9th in Pennsylvania by Newsweek and distinguished with 18 consecutive ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. It provides a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and specialty services and operates a family medicine residency program.
Clinical and Community Impact
Dr. Foley has been a proactive clinical leader in responding to evolving public health challenges, including rising cases of walking pneumonia regionally. She educates on treatable conditions, promotes multidisciplinary teamwork, and integrates innovative protocols that elevate patient care quality and safety standards.
Her prior service in the U.S. Army infantry and special forces in the 1980s demonstrates a background of discipline and resilience, potentially informing her leadership style and commitment to organizational missions.
Online Presence and Professional Network
- LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-foley-md-facep-1669b2168](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-foley-md-facep-1669b2168) with approximately 300 followers and over 290 connections, reflecting a robust professional network primarily focused on healthcare and emergency medicine sectors.
Dr. Foley’s profile exemplifies a well-established, influential physician leader with a proven track record in emergency medicine, hospital governance, and public health advocacy—particularly in combating opioid addiction through systemic innovation and community collaboration. Her role as Medical Director situates her at the nexus of clinical operations and strategic policy-making at Doylestown Health, a highly regarded regional healthcare institution.
