Welcome! I am happy that you found our website and are possibly considering us for your specialty training. I am proud of our program, and feel we offer an outstanding opportunity for you to build the foundation of your career. I would like to mention a few things about our program, and then some suggestions as you move through this important time of audition rotations, applications and interviews.
Our program started in 1993 with twelve positions. We were originally accredited through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Our base hospital at that time was Flint Osteopathic Hospital. As often occurs, health systems develop and merge, and in 1997 our facility consolidated and moved to a new hospital in Grand Blanc, MI. This new facility, Genesys Regional Medical Center, is our current base institution. Over the years our program has developed into a 24 resident program. In 2007, we became accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This means that we are recognized by both the AOA as well as the ACGME, and need to meet the rigorous standards of both organizations. We were the fourth emergency medicine residency program in the country to attain this dually-accredited status. Today, there are only a total of five such programs that hold this same standard. We feel that this, together with an incredibly dedicated faculty and cohesive resident group, is what allows us to offer a premier Emergency Medicine program in the country in which to train.
As a student entering the application process this can all be overwhelming. I would offer a few suggestions of advice. The first recommendation is to apply early. We are catering to applicants who will go through the Osteopathic Match process as well as applicants that are going through the Allopathic Match. These matches occur about a month apart, but that means we need to expose ourselves to all applicants earlier, and that pushes our timeline up. Second, for any potential residency to which you are interested in applying, I would highly suggest spending time in that program’s emergency department. I know schedules are tight and some schools are more flexible than others, but investing some time at the department (even a day) will allow you to get a feel for the culture of the program, meet the residents and faculty in a less formal setting, and help you decide if this is a good “fit” for you. It also will demonstrate to the program your level of interest. Third, look at program quality. The education that you receive is going to mold you into the physician you will be for the rest of your career. Be willing to live with and sacrifice certain conditions if it means receiving the best educational foundation (yes, even a cold winter in Michigan). It will be worthwhile if you walk away with great emergency medicine clinical skills and being marketable to any emergency department anywhere in the country. The graduates of our program have received positions in states all over the US.
I hope this helps you as you move through this process. Please feel free to reach out to me or anyone in our program for information or advice (even if it is not about our program). Life is a long journey, and it is important that you make the best decisions in choosing the right specialty and the right program in which to train. Our job as educators is to not only educate, but to also help you make the decisions that are right for YOU. Best of luck and I hope our paths cross in the future.
Alan Janssen, DO FACOEP-D, FACEP, FAAEM Program Director
Why Choose a Four Year Program?
Why would you choose a 4-year program? There are both 3- and 4-year training formats for training in emergency medicine. The truth is there is no solid consensus on which is the best format to provide the best training for a career in emergency medicine. A good 3-year program is probably sufficient to minimally prepare a physician to practice emergency medicine. It comes as no surprise that residents are tired of being in school. They want to get out, be done, and make money. Many probably see the extra 4th year as a loss of income. Objectively, however, emergency medicine has changed incredibly over the years. Our practice has morphed from a clinical scenario that was once filled by GP’s and dermatologists who were assigned by their medical staff to “do their fair share” and work in the “ER” twice a month into a complex specialty practice. We now do things that weren’t even considered a few years ago.
The body of knowledge and skills necessary to practice emergency medicine (ultrasound, procedural sedation, critical care, etc.) continues to grow every year. That doesn’t even include the incredible array of practice opportunities available and the fellowships that accompany them. Add to all of this the demands for high quality and the importance of safety, and you have a recipe for mediocrity if training is limited to only 3 years. To end up with a satisfying career, residents need the extra time to consider all their options, to discover the possible avenues like teaching, research, administration or involvement in advocacy and policymaking at state or national levels. Almost all positions now require physicians to contribute something other than just their clinical work.
We believe that our four year program will allow the resident to not only maximally prepare for their practice in emergency medicine, but also will provide them with the foundation and experience to create a satisfying lifelong career that will give them the best experience for the rest of their life. Is an extra year that provides you with an optimal education, and prepares you for all aspects of your professional and personal life allowing you to have maximum flexibility in the future worth it? That is a question a physician entering this specialty has to answer for themselves. Hopefully this perspective will help you make the best decision for yourself as you consider residency programs.
About the Interview Process
We have all been through this process and know that it can be daunting. While we want to get to know each interviewee as an individual, the process is also designed for you to get to know us, as well! We hope you take the opportunity to experience what four years in our program looks like and to explore any and all questions/concerns you may have. To learn more about our program and requirements, visit the FAQ section of the website.
Advice on Residency Ranking
Check out the Kevin MD blog below for some red flags to look out for while interviewing and auditioning. Creating your rank list can be very difficult for some applicants; hopefully this will help you start to narrow down your top 3.
If you have any specific questions about our program in particular, check out our FAQ/Facts section or feel free to ask any of the residents or attendings during your rotation or interview. You can also contact us here.