Christiana Care Health Services Program

Christiana Care Health Services offers a comprehensive Emergency Medicine residency program located at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. As one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, Christiana Care is recognized for its commitment to providing both exceptional healthcare and unparalleled educational opportunities. This program engages residents in a high-volume emergency department with over 210,640 emergency visits annually, ranking 15th in the U.S. and 9th on the East Coast for emergency visit volume.1

Training Facilities

The program provides a robust training environment at Christiana Hospital, which serves as Delaware's only Level I trauma center. This expansive facility includes 906 beds and offers critical care services to adults and children, making it the only center of its kind between Baltimore and Philadelphia.10 The Wilmington Hospital and the Middletown Emergency Department further enhance the training experience by offering a variety of clinical settings ranging from community hospitals to urban centers.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency program is built on a rigorous curriculum characterized by extensive clinical exposure and a variety of educational modalities. This curriculum includes a comprehensive intern orientation that features Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.5 The clinical schedule consists of 13 four-week blocks with early exposure to critical care in emergency medicine, anesthesia, and other essential specialties. As residents progress to their second and third years, rotations in emergency medicine increase significantly, allowing for an immersive learning experience.6

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant aspect of the training process at Christiana Care. Each resident is required to complete a scholarly project, which can take various forms such as traditional research, educational curriculum development, or administrative projects. The residency program has dedicated faculty members to mentor residents throughout their research endeavors, helping them navigate the complexities of scholarly work and presenting at national conferences.9

Conferences and Teaching

Every Thursday, residents participate in a five-hour educational conference designed to enhance their expertise through various learning modalities including small group discussions and high-yield lectures covering core emergency medicine content.3 Additionally, residents have opportunities to take on teaching roles within the emergency department, facilitating peer-to-peer learning and mentorship as part of the culture of coaching that permeates the program.4

Resident Life and Community

Living in Delaware offers a unique blend of history, culture, and recreational activities. Residents enjoy close proximity to the Delaware beaches, parks, and a vibrant community rich in arts and local events.2

Application Process

The Christiana Care Emergency Medicine program is highly competitive but is known for being friendly to International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and DO applicants. Applicants must submit a complete application via ERAS, including three letters of recommendation (preferably two SLOEs from emergency medicine). Although the program typically prefers applicants with USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores available, they have temporarily waived the EM rotation requirement due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.8 The program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating the application process for international candidates.