Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Emergency Medicine Residency Program offers a robust training experience tailored to producing competent, well-rounded emergency physicians. The residency is designed to provide extensive exposure to a high-volume emergency care environment, boasting over 140,000 patient encounters annually across its facilities. This unique opportunity allows residents to balance the benefits of training in both a regional referral center and a community hospital setting.

Program Structure

The residency comprises a comprehensive curriculum that ensures residents acquire the essential knowledge and skills in emergency medicine through a variety of rotations and didactic sessions. Training includes rotations in the Emergency Department, critical care units, and numerous specialty areas such as toxicology, pediatrics, and trauma management. The curriculum is designed to cover 26 blocks of core emergency medicine rotations and an equal number of specialty rotations, fostering a thorough understanding of emergency care within various contexts.

Training Sites

Residents primarily train at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)-Cedar Crest, a Level I Trauma Center, and LVH-Muhlenberg, a Level II Trauma Center. The Cedar Crest facility features over 89,000 annual emergency visits, while Muhlenberg sees around 59,000, offering residents diverse clinical experiences and patient demographics.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Research is a vital component of the residency, requiring each resident to participate in a scholarly activity. Residents have the liberty to engage in various forms of research, including clinical studies, systematic reviews, and qualitative research. The program supports research initiatives through monthly journal clubs and provides staff mentorship to bolster residents' engagement in scholarly activities.

Educational Resources

The program utilizes the George E. Moerkirk Emergency Medicine Institute, which provides advanced training tools, including human patient simulators, enhancing clinical skills development via simulation. Furthermore, the program integrates formal lectures and case-based learning, focusing on critical care and high-acuity medical situations.

Community Involvement

Residents are encouraged to engage in community service activities, acting as educators and volunteers in various local events focused on health, safety, and injury prevention. This involvement fosters a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Unique Program Highlights

Unique aspects of the LVHN Emergency Medicine Residency include opportunities for individualized feedback through a pod system, regular national-caliber lectures from prominent speakers in the field, and access to specialized training programs. Residents also benefit from an option to become an EMS Resident Medical Director, engaging with local emergency services.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The residency program welcomes applications from candidates who have graduated from medical school within a maximum of three years prior to applying. It requires passing scores of at least 200 on both the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams and does not mandate clinical or research experience in the United States, though such experiences can enhance an application. The program offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates, making it an accessible opportunity for a diverse range of applicants.

Life in the Lehigh Valley

Situated in a rapidly growing metropolitan area, residents in the LVHN program enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with access to diverse cultural, educational, and recreational activities. The Lehigh Valley is known for its favorable cost of living and proximity to larger cities like Philadelphia and New York City, enhancing the overall living experience for residents.