University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

The Emergency Medicine Residency Program at UC San Diego Medical Center is a prestigious four-year program that has evolved since its inception in 1990, originally starting with four residents. Currently, the program admits twelve residents annually, totaling forty-eight residents within its comprehensive training framework. The program prioritizes the development of future leaders in emergency medicine and focuses significantly on academic and leadership training, providing residents with extensive opportunities in education, research, administration, advocacy, and various subspecialties in emergency medicine 1.

Program Structure

The curriculum consists of rotations throughout San Diego and Imperial County, ensuring a diverse training environment, encompassing academic, community, rural, and aeromedical experiences. The primary training site for this residency is UC San Diego's Hillcrest Medical Center, functioning similarly to a county hospital and designated as a Level 1 Trauma Center 1.

Training Sites

The training sites include:

• UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest
• UCSD Medical Center - La Jolla
• Rady Children's Hospital
• El Centro Regional Medical Center
• Mercy Air Aeromedical Program
• Tri-City Medical Center
• VA San Diego Healthcare System

Each of these sites provides unique patient populations and diverse clinical experiences that are crucial for the comprehensive education of the residents 1.

Rotations and Curriculum

The curriculum is meticulously designed to cover a wide spectrum of emergency medicine, progressively increasing in complexity through the four years:

• PGY-I: Intern Year

Emphasis on foundational rotations across various medical disciplines, focusing on critical care, trauma, and emergency medicine. This includes significant exposure to pediatric emergency medicine and elective time 4.

• PGY-II: Junior Resident Year

Increased responsibility and more complex cases in emergency departments, with opportunities for specialized training in trauma and medical toxicology 4.

• PGY-III: Senior Resident Year

Residents lead emergency resuscitations and guide junior staff, enhancing their leadership and operational skills in a high-pressure environment 4.

• PGY-IV: Chief Resident Year

Final year involves refining clinical skills and developing teaching abilities, alongside advanced experiences in critical care units 4.

A key feature of the curriculum is the longitudinal ultrasound training embedded throughout the residency, ensuring comprehensive competency in this critical skill 4.

Conferences and Educational Support

Weekly educational conferences are mandatory and designed to protect residents from clinical duties during these sessions. These conferences feature national speakers, journal clubs, and board preparation sessions, integral to residence training 2.

Wellbeing and Resilience

UC San Diego places a strong emphasis on resident wellbeing, providing numerous resources and supportive initiatives that foster a healthy work-life balance. This includes wellness-focused lectures, social events, and quarterly community engagement opportunities to promote resident wellness 10. The program also recognizes the need for mental health support, offering access to therapy and wellness programs catered to physicians 10.

Diversity and Inclusion

UC San Diego is committed to enhancing diversity within its emergency medicine residency program. The office of Graduate Medical Education works to improve the inclusion of underrepresented groups through various mentorship initiatives 5. Furthermore, programs focusing on women in emergency medicine and LGBTQ+ health issues are actively integrated into the curriculum 5.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

As an international-friendly program, UC San Diego Medical Center offers visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types. Competitiveness for application is moderate, as the program values a holistic application review, welcoming both US MDs, DOs, and international graduates. Expected requirements include evidence of USMLE Step 1 (and Step 2 completion encouraged), and at least three letters of recommendation, one of which must be a standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE) 6; 7.

Salary and Benefits

In terms of financial support, UC San Diego offers competitive salaries along with a monthly food allowance, annual educational expenses, housing stipends, and comprehensive health insurance covering residents and their families 8. There are also allowances for professional development, including funding for attending conferences and other educational opportunities 8.