University of Nebraska Medical Center Program

UNMC’s Department of Emergency Medicine offers a comprehensive one-year Emergency Medical Services Fellowship designed to train motivated physicians to become leaders in medical oversight and emergency medical systems. The program emphasizes immersive education and practice within the pre-hospital setting, preparing fellows for advanced roles in emergency medical services.

Program Objectives

The mission of the fellowship is rooted in several key components:

• Exposure to diverse educational modalities, including an integrated curriculum with group-based learning and peer education.
• Hands-on practice of prehospital medicine through agency ride time, which allows fellows to gain graduated access to emergency medical services response vehicles.
• Engagement with a broad spectrum of patients, showcasing diverse pathology, socio-economic statuses, and demographics, under the guidance of skilled clinical role models.
• Collaboration with various EMS agencies ranging from urban fire departments to rural and volunteer services.
• Fostering a culture that values the fellows' input and prioritizes wellness.
• Competency in patient safety and quality improvement processes, equipping fellows to assume leadership roles in emergency medical services.

Clinical Exposure

The Omaha metropolitan area supports a population of nearly one million, providing ample opportunities for fellows to explore different EMS modalities. The fellowship includes collaborations with numerous emergency medical service agencies, including large urban firms, rural EMS, and specialized organizations like tactical response and pediatric critical care transport.

Benefits and Compensation

Fellows in the program receive standard house officer benefits, including a salary that is contingent on postgraduate year. They also have the opportunity to practice clinically at Nebraska Medicine and Bellevue Medical Center, although these shifts are optional and not required as part of the fellowship.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum includes:

• Interactive didactics that cover vital medical director topics, simulation training, group literature reviews, and guest lectures.
• Opportunities for scene responses using an EMS response vehicle in the Douglas and Sarpy counties.
• Multi-department ride-alongs, allowing for diverse experiences, including tactical EMS assignments during SWAT call-outs.
• Participation in regional and national EMS conferences and involvement in local and state-level medical director meetings.

Application Process

The program selects one fellow per academic year and requires applicants to have completed an ACGME-accredited emergency medicine residency. The following application materials are necessary:

• A completed application form.
• A current CV.
• A letter of interest.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Proof of successful graduation from an ACGME-accredited emergency medicine residency program or a letter indicating good standing in the residency program with an expected graduation date.

Applicants must register through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) with the program code 1376E01F0.

Participating Sites and Agencies

Fellows will engage with various clinical sites and agencies:

• Nebraska Medical Center: The principal training site offers extensive clinical exposure and is equipped with a state-of-the-art simulation center.
• Children’s Nebraska: Fellows gain experience in pediatric critical care transport.
• Omaha Fire Department: The largest EMS provider in the area, offering insights into urban EMS dynamics and administrative roles.
• Bellevue Fire Department: It serves as a secondary EMS provider with opportunities for run reviews and quality improvement projects.
• Sarpy Tactical Medical Team: Fellows will observe and participate in tactical medicine duties.
• Lincoln Fire & Rescue: Provides exposure to regional differences in prehospital care.
• Sarpy County Dispatch Center: Offers insight into dispatch operations and quality assurance activities.
• Cass County Emergency Management: Involves rural ALS response models and unique tiered response systems for long transports.
• Air Method’s Lifenet: The largest air operator in the region which provides hands-on experience in critical care transport.