University of California (San Francisco)/Fresno Program

Overview of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at UCSF Fresno

The University of California, San Francisco/Fresno Emergency Medicine residency program has a rich history, having been founded in 1974 as one of the first emergency medicine programs in the country. The program offers a four-year training experience (PGY-1 through PGY-4) with an annual intake of approximately 10-12 residents. The program is characterized by a strong emphasis on clinical teaching and hands-on training, utilizing the resources available at Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC), the only Level 1 trauma and burn center serving the Central California region, which sees an impressive annual emergency department volume of around 120,000 visits.

The mission of the program is to advance emergency medicine through exceptional education, patient care, research, and collaboration. The leadership actively fosters a culture of clinical excellence, professionalism, and compassion for patients. This emphasis on clinical training ensures residents are well-equipped to handle a broad range of emergency scenarios, preparing them for both immediate responsibilities and long-term professional development.

Program Curriculum

The residency curriculum is structured to balance clinical experience with educational opportunities. The first year consists of core rotations and a month-long orientation in the emergency department. The rotation schedule is designed to ensure each resident acquires a well-rounded skill set essential for emergency medicine.

During the first year (PGY-1), residents will spend five and a half months in the emergency department, with the remainder of the time dedicated to other critical rotations, including:

• Anesthesia
• Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Trauma Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery

In the subsequent years (PGY-2 to PGY-4), residents will have increasing responsibilities while covering shifts in CRMC's emergency department and potential opportunities for electives and area of concentration rotations in fields such as advanced emergency medicine ultrasonography, wilderness medicine, and other relevant specialties. Each PGY-2 resident spends approximately eight months in the emergency department, whereas PGY-3 residents have seven and a half months of direct clinical experience.

Research Opportunities

The program offers substantial opportunities for research participation. Residents are encouraged to engage in ongoing faculty-led research projects or to develop their independent projects. The presence of a full-time research coordinator facilitates this process, and the program has established collaborations with various institutions to enhance research capabilities. UCSF Fresno hosts numerous research activities, including critical investigations in emergency medicine related to serving the diverse patient demographic in the Central Valley.

Training Sites

The primary training site for the residency is Community Regional Medical Center, a major healthcare facility dedicated to intensive trauma and emergency care services. The hospital plays a pivotal role in education and empowering residents to respond to the complexities of emergency medicine, building expertise in advanced clinical skills while ensuring a well-supervised patient experience.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The UCSF Fresno Emergency Medicine residency program is known for being highly competitive. It seeks candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, emotional maturity, and dedication to emergency medicine. The program is friendly towards diverse backgrounds, including DO graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). While specific requirements may vary, applicants must generally pass the USMLE Step 1 and, if applicable, Step 2, prior to commencing the internship year.

All applicants must have either (1) U.S. citizenship, (2) a green card, (3) EAD (work permit), or (4) ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visa, as the program does not typically sponsor H-1B visas.

Scribe Program and Student Involvement

The University of California, San Francisco/Fresno also offers a unique opportunity for medical students to engage in a scribe program designed to enhance medical education and research involvement. Scribes are typically pre-medical students working alongside residents and attending physicians to improve efficiency in the emergency department. This hands-on experience permits students to gain exposure to emergency medicine while contributing to research initiatives within the department.