Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor, Clerkship Director
Department of Emergency Medicine
mary.mchugh@utsouthwestern.edu (Preferred method of contact)
Secondary Contact
Colin Danko, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Clerkship Co-Director
colin.danko@utsouthwestern.edu
About the Specialty
Emergency Medicine physicians provide unscheduled emergency care to patients 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to undifferentiated patients at any age. EM physicians are specialists in resuscitation and diagnosis of life-threatening conditions whether that results from acute illness or injury or progression of a pre-existing condition. Subspecialities of EM include disaster medicine, medical toxicology, point-of-care ultrasonography, critical care medicine, emergency medical services, hyperbaric medicine, sports medicine, palliative care, or aerospace medicine.
Answers to Common Questions
- Attributes of a Competitive Student
What factors typically make a student competitive for this specialty?
Performance on home and away rotation are primary, good grades on primary clerkships, involvement in activities, especially leadership and a good Step 2 score.
- Research
How important is research experience in your specialty? If important, does it need to be in the specialty itself?
Research can help students be competitive for Emergency Medicine residency espeically at the most competitive programs, but many students apply and match without significant research experience. Research in other fields is considered in a positive light.
- Shadowing
How can students identify opportunities for shadowing?
The Emergency Medicine Interest Group
- Electives
What electives would you recommend to a student who is interested in pursuing your specialty?
Toxicology, Ultrasound, Anesthesia, ICU
Based on your experience, what tips do you have for students to shine on your electives?
Be on time, outgoing and engaged with patient care, follow your patients closely and take ownership of their plans.
- Away Rotations
Does your specialty recommend doing away rotations?
Yes, an away rotation in Emergency Medicine is very important to matching.
If your specialty recommends doing away rotations, how many “aways” do you recommend?
One, two only in special circumstances.
If away rotations are necessary, when should they apply and when should they be completed?
Students typically try to complete their home rotation (1901), away and step 2 studying in the July, August, September blocks. Students who can start this process in June typically face an easier time securing an away.
- Interview Timing
Which month do you recommend taking off to interview?
November and December
- Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply to your specialty?
One home SLOE (Standardized Letter of Evaluation), One AWAY SLOE, at least one other letter from a primary rotation at UTSW, i.e. medicine, surgery; a letter from a research mentor if applicable, but not necessary.
Does your specialty recommend that all letters of recommendation be written by members of your specialty?
No, see above
If letters can come from other disciplines, do you have a recommendation as to which disciplines are more highly valued?
Internal medicine and surgery, followed by pediatrics and Ob/Gyn.
Does the academic rank of the letter writer matter?
No
Does your specialty require a letter from the chairman?
No.
