University of Miami/Jackson Health System Program

Overview of the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Emergency Medicine Residency Program

The University of Miami/Jackson Health System Emergency Medicine Residency Program aims to train residents to become compassionate and expert emergency medicine physicians, with a strong emphasis on leadership and innovation. The program offers extensive clinical exposure, catered educational experiences, and a supportive environment where residents are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally.

Founded in 1918, Jackson Memorial Hospital serves as the primary clinical site, recognized as one of the largest public hospitals in the nation, with over 1,550 beds and approximately 120,000 emergency department visits yearly. This provides residents with a unique opportunity to experience a high-volume, diverse range of patient care scenarios, particularly in a safety-net hospital setting.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to develop proficiency through progressive training across three years, leveraging a blend of simulation, lectures, small group learning, and procedural training to provide a comprehensive educational framework.

PGY-1

The first year begins with comprehensive orientation and focuses on fundamental emergency procedures, advanced cardiac life support, advanced trauma life support, and pediatric advanced life support. Residents are immersed in common emergency presentations, procedures, and patient management.

PGY-2

The second year increases responsibility, emphasizing care for critically ill patients, and includes rotations in intensive care units alongside emergency department shifts to refine differential diagnosis and procedural skills.

PGY-3

In the final year, residents transition to independence, managing patient flow and enhancing leadership capabilities within the emergency department environment.

Clinical Rotations

Residents gain experience at several key clinical sites, including:

• Jackson Memorial Hospital – the primary training site, addressing a broad spectrum of emergencies including trauma and critical care.
• Ryder Trauma Center – the busiest Level I trauma center in South Florida.
• UHealth Tower and Holy Cross Health – providing exposure to community and academic emergency medicine.
• Holtz Children’s Hospital – integrating pediatric emergency medicine in clinical training.
• Miami VA Healthcare System – offering care to a complex veteran population.

Research Opportunities

Research is highly encouraged, with the program actively engaging in scholarly activities across various fields like public health, education, and emergency medicine innovation. Residents are supported in pursuing research relevant to their interests, which can include epidemiology, health policy, and treatment protocols.

Special Features

The program fosters a robust supportive community, featuring mentorship opportunities from diverse faculty members tailored to residents' personalized career trajectories. Furthermore, the residency prioritizes wellness, providing engaged, proactive support systems to enhance life balance during training.

Diversity and Inclusivity

With greater than 51% of the resident population being international medical graduates, the program is welcoming to diverse backgrounds. It also strives to reflect the vibrant diversity of Miami-Dade County, serving a broadly diverse patient demographic.

Visa Support

The program sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates. This enables residents not holding U.S. citizenship or permanent residency to train within the program.

Competitiveness

The residency program is competitive, attracting applications from U.S. and international medical graduates. Candidates should have a passing score on USMLE Step 1 prior to application and on Step 2 before ranking. There is no limit on the number of attempts for the Step examinations; however, it is beneficial for applicants to present a strong academic record alongside clinical experience.

Unique Aspects

The program includes rotations to engage in emergency medical services, opportunities to work with healthcare disparities, and participate in the residency-run Social Emergency Medicine Program which addresses social determinants of health affecting patient care.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be aware that the program does not have a maximum graduation year limit and encourages applications regardless of post-graduate experiences. Applicants are invited to apply for sub-internships to enhance their understanding of the program through hands-on experience.