The chief residency is a PGY-4 year and the chief resident is usually chosen from the graduating class. The chief resident also has the option of completing certain fellowships during the fourth year if so desired. PGY1 Internship starts during the last week of June. The purpose of the internship in Emergency Medicine is to provide broad-based training in areas pertinent to the practice of emergency medicine.
Interns have a week off before starting their second year of residency.
The second year begins with a 9 day orientation in preparation for residency. In the second year, residents shift the emphasis of their education from the inpatient setting to that of the emergency department. In addition to working in the county hospital environment, second year residents get their initial exposure to community emergency medicine while rotating at an affiliated community hospital. Residents spend this year developing a strong base of knowledge in emergency medicine. They also assume a teaching role while working with interns and medical students.