Trinity Health System Program

Program Overview

The Emergency Medicine Training Program at Trinity Health System, located in Steubenville, Ohio, is a fully accredited three-year residency program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This esteemed program focuses on providing high-quality education and training in emergency medicine. The program stands out due to its commitment to clinical excellence, academic development, and the provision of a supportive learning environment for residents.

Residents experience a diverse patient population with a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. This diversity is critical in broadening the residents' understanding and ability to manage various emergencies, from rural health issues to urban medical crises. The training site serves as a 24/7 cardiac care center and features an on-site helipad for the rapid transport of critically ill patients, providing residents with opportunities to manage complex cases actively.

Training and Curriculum

The Emergency Medicine residency program is designed to ensure that all trainees receive comprehensive exposure to emergency medicine. Over the course of three years, residents engage in a structured curriculum that includes:

• First Year (EM1): Residents complete 6.5 blocks of emergency medicine, specializing in general clinical skills, as well as blocks in pediatrics, ICU, obstetrics, anesthesiology, cardiology, and vacation time.
• Second Year (EM2): The focus shifts to more advanced emergency medicine practice with 7.5 blocks, expanding into trauma care, pediatrics, advanced procedures, and emergency medicine ultrasonography.
• Third Year (EM3): Residents solidify their skills with 9 blocks in emergency medicine, including pediatric ICU, elective rotations, and sports medicine.

Throughout the program, resident work hours are designed to promote a healthy work-life balance, and each resident is entitled to two weeks of vacation annually.

Didactic Program

The program emphasizes education through a robust didactic component, which includes five hours of lectures and conferences each week. These structured sessions occur every Thursday and cover essential topics such as core curriculum lectures, journal club reviews, morbidity and mortality meetings, and collaborative sessions with internal medicine teams, ensuring comprehensive learning.

Research Opportunities

Trinity Health System encourages residents to engage in research, fostering critical thinking and academic growth. Residents are expected to select a research project during their first year and work towards submitting at least one scholarly article for peer-reviewed publication by graduation. The presence of faculty mentors facilitates this process and supports residents in navigating their research interests.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One distinguishing characteristic of the Emergency Medicine program at Trinity Health System is its unopposed nature. Residents have full access to a wide array of procedures within the medical center, including advanced interventions such as pacemakers and obstetrical deliveries. This unopposed status enhances their exposure to hands-on procedures, significantly exceeding the required numbers set by the Residency Review Committee (RRC).

Furthermore, the program offers a unique two-week elective in Wilderness Medicine, reflecting its commitment to diverse training experiences, which many residents find particularly engaging.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications to the Emergency Medicine Residency at Trinity Health System must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Applicants are advised to contact their respective medical school’s Dean’s office for detailed application procedures. The requirements for applicants include:

• USMLE or COMLEX scores (Step 1 and Step 2 required)
• Medical school transcript
• Three letters of recommendation, including those from emergency medicine physicians
• Dean's Letter
• ECFMG certification for international medical graduates

The admissions process typically takes place from September to January, with interviews promptly following the review of applications.

Visa Support

Trinity Health System offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. Typically, the program supports J-1 visas, allowing graduates to pursue graduate medical education in the United States. Interested candidates should ensure compliance with all program and visa requirements during the application process.

Competitiveness of the Program

The Emergency Medicine Residency at Trinity Health System is recognized as a highly competitive program. It welcomes both U.S. medical graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) and is considered moderately IMG-friendly. Meeting application expectations, including standardized test scores and strong letters of recommendation, are essential to navigating its competitive selection process successfully.