Creighton University School of Medicine Program

The Emergency Medicine Residency program at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix provides a comprehensive training environment designed to develop competent, board-certified emergency physicians. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and spans three years, with a recruitment capacity of 16 residents per year. It emphasizes a supportive and collegial environment that encourages both personal and professional development, all while providing high-quality care to the community.

Program Philosophy

The program is grounded in a philosophy that nurtures professional growth and personal well-being. It aims to cultivate leaders in emergency medicine through a supportive residency culture that prioritizes academic excellence and community service. The following principles guide the training process: fostering a dynamic learning community, providing graded responsibility, promoting mentorship, and achieving a healthy balance between personal and professional aspirations.1

Curriculum Overview

The residency follows a 'Block' schedule comprising 13 blocks per year, allowing residents to gain diverse and extensive exposure to various medical settings. PGY-1 residents undertake multiple emergency medicine rotations, ICU training, and sub-specialty rotations, including pediatrics and anesthesia. The PGY-2 and PGY-3 years build upon these foundations with more advanced rotations in high-acuity environments, rural emergency medicine, and electives in critical care or medical Spanish among others.3

Clinical Rotations and Training Sites

Residents rotate through several top-tier training sites, including:

• Valleywise Health Medical Center: A 449-bed, Level I trauma center with an annual emergency department (ED) census of approximately 60,000.
• Banner University Medical Center: A 663-bed facility providing a wide range of tertiary medical services.
• Phoenix Children's Hospital: A leading facility for pediatric emergency care with a vast array of medical specialists available.
• Mayo Clinic Hospital: Focused on community emergency care with exposure to unique patient populations.

These sites ensure residents gain experience under attending supervision with exposure to a broad range of clinical presentations, equipping them with essential skills for emergency settings.2

Research Opportunities

The program promotes involvement in emergency medicine research, and residents are encouraged to engage in original research projects that can lead to publication. Collaborations extend beyond the residents to support immunology and various multi-center clinical trials, allowing residents to thrive in a scientifically rigorous environment.8

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program emphasizes innovation in education, leveraging technology for enhanced learning experiences. For example, advanced emergency ultrasound training is available along with electives covering wilderness medicine, medical education, and street medicine, allowing for diverse hands-on experiences. Such unique rotation opportunities are pivotal for those keen on exploring specific interests within emergency medicine.3

Visa Support

The program offers visa support for international medical graduates, specifically providing sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visas, recognizing the importance of a diverse cohort in enriching the educational environment and enhancing cultural competence amongst all trainees.1

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This residency program is considered competitive, aiming for the best candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to emergency medicine. It requires that applicants submit a complete application via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which includes a medical school transcript, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and USMLE Step 1 scores. Historically, applicants with up to one failed STEP exam have been considered, provided that they demonstrate overall strength in their application.4

Resident Community

The program nurtures a community-oriented environment where all residents support each other’s growth. Interactions among residents are encouraged through organized events and mentorship opportunities. Such connections foster collaboration and communication, essential skills for future emergency medicine physicians.7

Emergency Medicine Faculty

The faculty comprises dedicated and experienced educators committed to resident training. Their mentorship and professional guidance are regarded as a key component of the learning experience in the residency, which emphasizes hands-on learning and active participation in clinical care.6