Ascension Illinois/Resurrection Program

The Resurrection Emergency Medicine residency program is a comprehensive training pathway situated in Chicago, emphasizing clinical excellence and hands-on experience. This ACGME-accredited program consists of a three-year curriculum designed for emerging Emergency Medicine physicians. The program is grounded in its mission to produce highly competent clinicians capable of navigating the complexities of modern emergency medicine.

Program Overview and Structure

The residency encompasses 39 residents divided across the three training years, with each resident required to complete 13 four-week rotations annually. These rotations are aligned with essential areas of emergency medicine, including trauma, pediatrics, and intensive care. Organizing the training comprehensively ensures that residents encounter a wide variety of clinical experiences within diverse medical environments.

Year 1 focuses on foundational emergency medicine rotations, where residents will spend significant time at both Resurrection Medical Center and Saint Francis Hospital. This clinical experience includes critical exposure to trauma cases, as Saint Francis functions as a Level 1 trauma center, providing residents with early hands-on responsibility in high-stakes environments.

Years 2 and 3 build upon this foundation with advanced rotations, including pediatric emergency medicine, critical care medicine, and specialty clinics. Advanced skill development is facilitated through structured exposure to various clinical situations and specialized fellows, enhancing the education experience.

Clinical Rotations and Sites

Residents of the program rotate through several key clinical sites, each contributing unique experiences:

• Resurrection Medical Center: Primary site with over 41,000 annual ED admissions.
• Ascension Saint Francis Hospital: A Level 1 trauma center with a focus on acute interventions, seeing around 36,500 admissions yearly.

This amalgamation of clinical settings allows residents to experience varied patient demographics and emergency scenarios, contributing to their readiness for board certification and independent practice.

Curriculum and Educational Methodologies

Training incorporates asynchronous curricula through structured readings from recognized literature, including "Rosen’s Emergency Medicine" and relevant podcasts and videos. This resource-rich approach helps residents build a strong educational foundation in key trauma scenarios, toxicology, and pediatric emergencies.

Additionally, involvement in simulation labs and ultrasound training is notable. An ultrasound fellowship is available to candidates wishing to deepen their proficiency in this emerging area of expertise.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages residents to engage in research, providing avenues for presenting findings at national conferences. Participation in research projects is supported, fostering a culture of inquiry within the resident community.

Resident Support and Wellness

Recognizing the demands of the residency, the program emphasizes wellness initiatives. Events organized by the Wellness Committee, including social outings and recreational activities, enhance the camaraderie among residents while promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

Applicants must submit their applications through ERAS, including three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and transcripts. The program accepts both USMLE and COMLEX scores, encouraging prospective candidates to demonstrate their strong commitment to Emergency Medicine.

This residency does not sponsor visas, which may impact international medical graduates (IMGs) wishing to apply. Moreover, while the program is competitive and welcomes applicants from DO backgrounds, it does not indicate specific leniency towards IMGs.

Benefits and Living Arrangements

Residents enjoy numerous benefits, including a salary structure that begins at $62,442 for PGY-1 and culminates at $69,480 for chief residents. Additional financial support is available for continuing medical education and conference attendance. Residents also have the convenience of meal allowances and free parking across clinical sites.

As for living arrangements, maintaining a location between downtown Chicago and the program's clinical sites facilitates access to a variety of neighborhoods, each offering a distinct urban experience.

Visa Support

It is important to note that the program does not provide visa sponsorship. Therefore, applicants should be mindful of this when applying, particularly if they are international medical graduates.

Conclusion

In summary, the Resurrection Emergency Medicine residency program presents an enriching environment for medical graduates aspiring to innovate and lead within the field of emergency medicine. The extensive clinical exposure, coupled with robust educational methodologies and an emphasis on wellness, makes this a compelling choice for prospective residents.