University of Pennsylvania Health System Program

the program at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, known as the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), provides a comprehensive residency in Emergency Medicine that is structured to produce highly competent and confident emergency medicine leaders. The program emphasizes clinical excellence, innovative education, and a commitment to social justice throughout the training experience.

Program Structure

The overarching goal of the program is to cultivate clinical acumen while simultaneously offering residents numerous opportunities for mentorship and leadership. Each year of the four-year residency program is tailored to build on previous experiences, transitioning residents from novice learners to skilled providers and ultimately into leaders within the emergency department.

Clinical Curriculum

Initial years (PGY-1 and PGY-2) focus on foundational clinical skills within HUP and its sister facility, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), which together handle an impressive 115,000 emergency department visits annually. PGY-1 residents will engage in various clinical rotations, including core emergency medicine shifts, pediatric emergency medicine, and critical care, allowing them to develop their assessment and management capabilities upfront. As they advance to PGY-3 and PGY-4, residents take on increasing responsibilities, culminating in serving as leaders and educators in the department.

The clinical experience is meticulously structured for year-wise progression:

• PGY-1: Emergency Medicine at HUP, pediatric emergency medicine, and several critical care rotations.
• PGY-2: Internal rotations continue while core emergency rotations deepen clinical practice.
• PGY-3: Integrated experiences spanning community emergency medicine and EMS.
• PGY-4: Senior roles focusing on administration, teaching, and elective interests.

Didactic Curriculum

An engaging didactic curriculum complements clinical training. It includes weekly conferences incorporating interactive case discussions, core lectures, and simulation-based learning, which ensures that residents understand the breadth of emergency medicine thoroughly. Topics are cyclically reviewed across a two-year period while utilizing diverse learning modalities, including reading assignments, online resources, and hands-on procedural simulations.

Concurrent educational events such as journal club, grand rounds, and interdisciplinary conferences aim to disassemble clinical problems and develop evidence-based solutions, ensuring residents are well-versed in contemporary EM knowledge.

Research and Innovation

The program actively promotes residents' engagement in research activities spanning a plethora of EM specialties. Ample resources enable residents to present their original research findings at local and national conferences, supported by stipends for travel and conference registration.

Faculty members serve as dedicated mentors, guiding residents throughout the research process, fostering their academic growth, and enhancing their CVs for future career pursuits.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive culture that prioritizes recruitment and training for a diverse group of residents. This commitment includes unique initiatives and mentorship programs for underrepresented individuals in medicine (URiM). Anti-racist programs and external partnerships enhance the reach and effectiveness of this commitment towards addressing health disparities within the community.

Resident Wellness

The residency acknowledges the significance of resident wellbeing by maintaining a supportive atmosphere through structured activities and dedicated Wellness Committees. This body organizes both formal and informal gatherings aimed at promoting mental and physical health among residents, ensuring a sustainable work-life balance.

Activities range from educational workshops to social gatherings that encourage camaraderie and community bonding among the resident cohort.

Competitive Environment

The program is known to be competitive, with an emphasis on attracting a diverse array of applicants including international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic medical students (DOs). Certain application requirements include a solid USMLE score, a minimum of three letters of recommendation (with at least one from an emergency medicine physician), and completion of the NRMP application form. The program also sponsors J-1 visas for international graduates, accommodating those seeking a residency experience in the United States.

Application Process