FAQs
UIC – EM is a 3 year categorical residency.
Chicago has a population of 2.8 million people, making it our nation’s third-largest city. UIC’s EM Program takes advantage of Chicago’s countless medical resources. Our residents have the unique privilege of training in our distinctive sites that make up our four-hospital consortium; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health), Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
This multi-site training undoubtedly allows UIC to stand apart from other EM residency programs.
The EM program has 15 residents per year (45 EM residents) and 3 EM/IM residents per year (15 EM/IM residents) for a total of 60 residents in Emergency Medicine.
Unique to the EM residents at UIC, the brown lab coat sets us apart from other specialties. It is a highly visible and easily recognizable symbol of our residency seen on the floors, in the ICU, and in Emergency Departments around the city. The Brown coat holds a reputation for team work, assertiveness, and adaptability. It also hides the coffee stains extremely well.
Conference occurs every Thursday from 7 am – 12 pm at one of the four clinical sites (UIC, IMMC, LCM, LGH). This is protected time for all residents regardless of their rotation. Conferences include lectures by Faculty, M&M, and Grand Rounds by 3rd-year residents, as well as small group workshops, oral board review, and sessions at the UIC Simulation center.
Yes, we require the completion of a scholarly project in which students can complete in their area of interest; various projects will satisfy this requirement.
4 hospitals:
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health), which provides one-third of all trauma care in the county and has been the site of many significant scientific contributions to clinical medicine and surgery, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, an integrated trauma site which is also the city’s flagship hospital for mental health with an entire wing in their ER devoted to mental health, OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, a high acuity hospital and one of only a handful of centers in the nation to offer a state-of-the-art imaging system that combines two types of imaging technology, and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Each hospital site houses an array of specialties and sub-specialties and serves a distinct patient population.
Residents live in multiple Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs. Most residents use their own vehicles, but some use public transportation and the like. However, a car would be recommended when working at one of the suburban clinical sites or during non-typical business hours.
While having a car is not absolutely required, you will most likely require a car. While UIC, LCM, and IL Masonic are in Chicago, Lutheran General is in Park Ridge and is not readily accessible by public transport. Your month at Christ in your 2nd year will also be a drive and will require your own transport. A few residents in the past have been able to get by with renting cars as needed, but most residents have a car.
During our intern year, some off-service rotations included OB, Ortho, CCU, and MICU. These rotations are carefully selected to provide us with the best amount of training and acuity. The leadership is very cognizant of ensuring our education and growth and is always receptive to changes.
If you are interested in EM-specific fellowships such as toxicology, EMS, international health, or ultrasound; then we have several faculty who will guide you with establishing research endeavors and mentorship, as well as offer opportunities to spend time with these individuals, so you know exactly what the fellowship will entail. If you are interested in a fellowship that we don’t have at UIC, we have well-connected faculty who can get you in touch with people across the country in the field of your interest. Basically, the options are there for you, and we will give you the resources to pursue whatever your subspecialty interest in EM might be.