UMass Chan Medical School Program

The Emergency Medicine Residency Program at UMass Chan Medical School is a fully accredited, three-year residency designed to provide comprehensive training in emergency medicine. Each year, the program accepts fourteen candidates, offering a rich educational experience built around its mission to deliver excellent healthcare while conducting groundbreaking research and developing innovative educational programs.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured to ensure residents gain expertise across various emergency medicine subspecialties, including medical toxicology, emergency medical services, ultrasound, disaster medicine, and global health, among others. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through high fidelity simulation training, interactive cadaver labs, and extensive clinical shifts in the emergency department, where residents manage a diverse range of acute medical conditions.1

Rotations

Residents undergo a variety of rotations designed to expose them to both tertiary and community care settings. The primary training site is the UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus, which houses the Duddie Massad Emergency and Trauma Center, the only Level 1 trauma center in the region. Additional training takes place at the Memorial Campus and Milford Regional Medical Center. This diverse training environment allows residents to handle more than 100,000 visits annually, ensuring familiarity with high acuity emergency cases. The program also includes a unique rotation in Hawaii during the senior year, offering insights into different regional practices of emergency medicine.2

Research Opportunities

The program maintains a strong research component, providing residents with opportunities to engage in projects addressing public health issues such as substance abuse, toxicology, and emergency cardiology. Residents are encouraged to participate in research initiatives, helping to bolster their academic credentials while contributing to the field.3

Diversity and Inclusion

UMass Chan is committed to creating an inclusive environment to support residents from diverse backgrounds. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee works actively on initiatives to promote understanding and address barriers in clinical settings. This commitment is reflected in a holistic review of applications, which considers the unique experiences and backgrounds of candidates.4

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Emergency Medicine Residency Program must be graduates of medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education. For international medical graduates, certification by the ECFMG is required along with appropriate visa support. Candidates must pass Step 2 CK exams prior to the application deadline. The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and requires an interview as part of the selection process.5

Visa Support

For international applicants, the program offers sponsorship for visas necessary to work in the U.S., assisting with the complexities of immigration processes.6

Competitiveness

The residency program is known for being competitive, welcoming both U.S. allopathic and osteopathic graduates as well as international medical graduates. Candidates with a strong academic background and a commitment to emergency medicine are encouraged to apply, and the program values diversity as a fundamental aspect of its community.7

Clinical Education Sites

Residents benefit from comprehensive clinical training across multiple sites. The UMass Memorial Medical Center’s University and Memorial campuses play crucial roles, with the University Campus serving as the main academic hub featuring a busy emergency department. Additional training occurs through the community experience at Milford Regional Medical Center, where residents encounter varied patient populations in a community emergency department setting.8

Fellowships

Furthermore, the program offers access to multiple fellowship opportunities in various emergency medicine specialties, allowing residents to hone their skills further and explore areas of focus in their careers.9

Student Rotations

UMass Chan provides exceptional medical student rotation opportunities, offering a diverse and educational experience. The Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) also facilitates activities to help medical students engage with the field and gain preliminary exposure to emergency medicine through work with current residents and faculty.10

Community and Lifestyle

Worcester, known for its cultural diversity and urban character, enhances the residency experience. The city's rich tapestry of ethnic backgrounds and thriving immigrant communities contributes to a unique patient demographic that prepares residents for a diverse range of clinical encounters.11