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Our mission is to be recognized as leaders in the field of Social Emergency Medicine by passionately promoting health for anyone at any time in any place through innovative emergency medicine. We are committed to creating a world where our collective passion brings forth the next generation of breakthroughs to make the world a better place. This is our vision of the future. Our patients, our community, ourselves. Health. For all of us.

Education Heading link

Resident and student in simulation training

Offerings for medical students

Learn more about ways medical students can focus on Emergency Medicine during their degree program.

Message from the Chair Heading link

Dr. Terry Vanden Hoek

Our Emergency Medicine faculty serve in multiple leadership roles within the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians (ICEP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), and in our  Center for Global Health.

We are actively studying interventions introduced in the emergency department to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure ( AHEAD2), provide proper pain management for sickle cell patients ( ISAAC), and reduce homelessness in our community (Making Homelessness History/ Better Health Through Housing).

We strive to move the field of Social Emergency Medicine forward through engagement and education in our communities such as our state-wide Illinois Heart Rescue Program, integration of a neighborhood-specific community health and empowerment workforce made up of local high school students and future health professionals ( CHAMPIONS NETWork), and physician and student led community interventions targeting uncontrolled hypertension ( CTOUCH).

We continue to implement innovative programs to increase and promote routine health screening in our emergency department and across UI Health (Project HEAL). Through increased awareness, education, and training we have identified 120 HIV and 99 HCV positive individuals over the past three years and linked them to necessary care.

With one of the most Established Emergency Medicine residency training programs in the nation, our faculty have over 30 years of experience producing outstanding emergence physicians. Our graduates span every corner of the country and have distinguished themselves in many leadership positions. Residents and medical students in our program learn to serve their communities through service, leadership, and innovation.

I welcome you to take the time to learn more about our service to the community, our  residency program, our grants and the people who have made our department a success.

Dr. Terry Vanden Hoek, Department Chair and Chief of Service
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine

Research Heading link

Spanning a wide range of topics, our research endeavors include studies on trauma care, resuscitation science, healthcare disparities, and advancements in emergency medical services. Our collaborative and multidisciplinary approach fosters an environment where ideas flourish and solutions are developed to address critical challenges in emergency medicine. Through ongoing partnerships with local and national organizations, our department is actively contributing to the evolution of evidence-based practices, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Learn more