Mercy St Vincent Medical Center/Mercy Health Partners Program

Emergency Medicine Residency Program Overview

The Emergency Medicine Residency at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center is an ACGME-accredited program that has been in existence since 1974, making it one of the oldest emergency medicine residency programs in the United States. The program offers a three-year training experience with 14 resident positions each year. It stands out for its commitment to developing highly skilled emergency physicians, demonstrated by the nearly 500 graduates who currently practice in 26 states and various countries around the globe.

Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center is designated as a certified Adult Level I and Pediatric Level II Trauma Center, and it houses the only burn center in Toledo. In 2024, the emergency department handled approximately 60,156 patients, providing residents with exposure to a wide variety of both common and complex medical cases.

Program Aims

The primary aims of the program are:

• Develop residency capabilities in the practice of emergency medicine from initial presentation to definitive care.
• Foster acquisition of foundational knowledge and skills essential to emergency medicine.
• Enhance clinical maturity, judgment, and technical skills enabling independent practice.
• Encourage lifelong learning and self-care.
• Promote the practice of emergency medicine as patient advocates.

Curriculum and Rotations

The training follows a structured 13-block schedule throughout the residency. Key components of the curriculum include:

• PGY 1:
• Orientation (1 block)
• Emergency Medicine (3 blocks)
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine (1 block)
• Trauma Surgery (2 blocks)
• Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) experience (1 block)
• Observation Unit (1 block)
• PGY 2:
• Emergency Medicine (5 blocks)
• EMS and Pediatric Emergency Medicine (2 blocks)
• Trauma Surgical ICU and Neurocritical Care (2 blocks)
• PGY 3:
• Emergency Medicine (9 blocks)
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine/Teaching (1 block)
• Elective (1 block)

Didactic Training and Simulation

The program features a comprehensive didactic curriculum that includes:

• Weekly Grand Rounds with protected time for lectures and discussions.
• Monthly Journal Club focused on contemporary medical literature.
• Simulation training sessions that are tailored to enhance critical procedural skills.
• Regular assessments and structured exam preparations using web-based question banks.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research and academic endeavors, which are supported by faculty dedicated to resident education. There exist opportunities for out-of-house moonlighting starting from the PGY-3 year to bolster clinical experience further.

Application Requirements

For applicants interested in the program, the following requirements must be met:

• U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or eligibility for a visa (primarily J1 visas, which are offered on a case-by-case basis).
• An MD or DO degree obtained within the last five years.
• Completion of the ERAS application, including USMLE or COMLEX test scores (Step 1 is mandatory, Step 2 preferred).
• At least two letters of recommendation, including one Standard Letter of Evaluation (SLOE).

The program does not accept applicants with any failed steps on their examinations and prefers all steps passed on the first attempt.

Visa Support

The program can sponsor J1 visas for international medical graduates; however, this is on a limited basis and requires individual review.

Competitiveness

The program is considered highly competitive and aims to attract both US and international graduates, including those from DO schools and IMGs.

Compensation and Benefits

Residents receive competitive salaries based on their year of training, starting at $63,650 for PGY-1 and increasing to $68,126 for PGY-3. Additional benefits include:

• Paid time off (21 days for PGY-1, 28 days for PGY-2 and PGY-3).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Sign-on bonus, relocation allowance, and annual meal allowances.
• Professional liability coverage and support for obtaining key certifications (ACLS, PALS, etc.).

Facilities also provide free access to on-campus recreational amenities, parking, and a comprehensive employee wellness program.