The University of Texas Medical School at Houston Department of Emergency Medicine
Department of Emergency Medicine
The Department of Emergency Medicine

Residency Program

The Department of Emergency Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of urgent and emergent patients of all ages.


EM 1 Rotations

Shifts in the ED each month for residents are divided approximately 45% trauma/medicine shifts, 45% general medicine shifts, and 10% pediatric shifts. These are approximate estimates, as traumatic vs. medical vs. pediatric patient presentations may be seen in any part of the ED.

  • Orientation Month: This first month of residency incorporates many high-yield experiences to orient the EM1 resident to emergency medicine residency. Included are lectures, procedure and cadaver labs, ATLS, PALS, and shifts in the ED.
  • Pediatric ED: This is two weeks of shifts solely in our Level I Pediatric ED working under the supervision of EM and Pediatric EM faculty. The focus is on recognition and management of pediatric emergent and ambulatory patient presentations.
  • Combined Obstetrics and ED month: The resident spends two weeks with the Obstetrics  team at LBJ Hospital.  The additional two weeks is spent in the ED.
  • CCU: The resident is an integral part of the cardiology ward and cardiac ICU team. The resident will be supervised by Cardiology faculty involved with cutting edge research and national trials. The new Memorial Hermann-TMC Cardiovascular Institute opened in April 2008 with six additional cardiac catheterization labs and 116 beds.
  • Combined Emergency Radiology and Anesthesiology month: The resident spends two weeks with the reviewing plain films and CT scans with ED Radiology fellowship trained faculty and Radiology fellows. During the Anesthesia rotation, the resident will practice intubations and airway management techniques for adults and children in the OR setting with direct faculty supervision.
  • Orthopedics: The EM resident participates in ED call, ward coverage, clinic, and gains extensive experience with the acute diagnosis and management of orthopedic and spine injuries, including splinting, fracture reduction, Steinman pin placement, ED fluoroscopy, and other procedures. Supervision is via dedicated ED Orthopedic faculty and upper level Orthopedic residents.
  • MICU: This rotation involves four weeks acquiring the experience, technical skills, and knowledge needed to care for critically ill medical patients. Some residents rotate in the LBJ MICU and some in the MHH MICU.
  • Ultrasound: The resident is introduced to the basic physics of ultrasonography and receives hands-on training in performing emergency ultrasound (e.g., eFAST, abdominal, pelvic, cardiac, and procedural studies).
  • EMS: Orientation occurs during the EM 1 orientation month. EMS shifts are then spread throughout the EM 1 year during ED months. During these shifts, the resident gains experience with Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the principles of EMS.
  • ED: A total of three and one half months are spent in the ED at Memorial Herman Hospital and 2 months are spent in the ED at LBJ General Hospital.
  • EM 1s are required to present one 30 minute case presentation during conference during the spring of the EM 1 year.