Unity Health-White County Medical Center Program

Residents in the Unity Health Emergency Medicine Residency program receive a comprehensive training experience emphasizing hands-on engagement and high-acuity practice. This three-year ACGME-accredited program prepares residents for a robust career in emergency medicine across various clinical settings, including a level III trauma center with an annual patient census exceeding 40,000. The residency not only enhances clinical proficiency but also fosters critical thinking in a supportive educational environment.

Interns begin their journey with real responsibilities right from day one, managing critical cases and participating in significant procedures often reserved for more advanced training levels. The program is designed for rapid learning, ensuring that residents are well-prepared for either a tertiary academic setting or a rural emergency department upon completion.

Opportunities for advanced clinical exposure are abundant, including scene flight participation with the hospital’s air ambulance service, where residents learn pre-hospital trauma life support. This element of the curriculum promotes engagement with diverse patient populations and enhances off-site care skills.

The curriculum incorporates traditional emergency medicine rotations, complemented by exposure to various lectures, including a toxicology lecture series led by Arkansas' only board-certified toxicologist, participation in an annual cadaver lab, and a full simulation lab equipped with high-fidelity mannequins for ACLS training.

Training Sites

The Unity Health Emergency Medicine residency program features multiple training sites, including:

• Unity Health - White County Medical Center
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
• Arkansas Children's Hospital
• NorthStar EMS

Residents during their training will benefit from the diverse experiences offered through these affiliations, which encompass both pediatric and adult emergencies.

Curriculum Structure

The structured residency curriculum includes a thorough didactic program that incorporates:

• Rosh Review
• EMsono lectures
• American Medical Association (AMA) modules
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) modules

This well-rounded academic preparation is combined with research opportunities where residents are encouraged to participate in scholarly activities. Under guidance from the program director and the research director, residents are provided with funding to produce research for journal submission and conference presentations.

Faculty Qualifications

The faculty consists of board-certified emergency medicine physicians with extensive experience in teaching, research, and clinical practice. Faculty involvement ensures that residents receive high-quality education and mentorship throughout their training. The program director, alongside core faculty members, actively supports residents in developing not only their clinical skills but also their personal and professional growth.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the Emergency Medicine residency are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) code number for the Unity Health Emergency Medicine residency program is 2104110C0, and the ACGME Program ID is 1100400072. The program accepts six residents each year.

Preferred applicant qualifications include:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• USMLE Step 1 score of at least 205 and Step 2 score of at least 210, or COMLEX Level 1 score of 550 or greater
• A Dean's letter or Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
• Three letters of recommendation from board-certified emergency medicine physicians, preferably standardized letters of evaluation
• ECFMG certification, if applicable

Visa support is provided, and the program can sponsor J-1 visas for international applicants, making it a welcoming option for international medical graduates and osteopathic (DO) candidates. This inclusive policy further enriches the residency experience by fostering a diverse learning environment.

Competitiveness

The Unity Health Emergency Medicine residency program is competitive, particularly seeking candidates who demonstrate strong academic performance and interpersonal skills conducive to emergency medicine. The selection process emphasizes commitment to patient care, teamwork, and adaptability, traits crucial for success in the dynamic field of emergency medicine.