FAQs

Where do most residents live during residency?

Most of the residents live in Staten Island or in Brooklyn, as those are the most convenient places to commute from.  A handful of residents live in the outer boroughs and New Jersey.

How many shifts do residents do per month? Does it change each year?

Interns do eighteen, twelve hour shifts per a four week block.  With each subsequent year of seniority residents do one less shift per block.

Is conference protected time?

YES! No residents are scheduled to work during conference time.  This includes off service rotations. We value our conference time and as such no residents work overnight the night before conference, or on the day of conference, to enable everyone to attend and participate.

What is the patient population you are exposed to?

Our patient population represents a wide variety of cultural diversity.  We treat patients of all ages with various presenting complaints and acuities.  Residents are especially exposed to extensive cardiac disease in a population with many co-morbidities.  Additionally, as we are also a regional burn center, EM residents have primary responsibility for the treatment and stabilization of burn patients.

Do residents get a good variety of academic and community Emergency Room settings?

During their 2nd and 3rd year, residents have dedicated community Emergency Department months at our South Site hospital.  The South Site ED division of Staten Island University Hospital is a fast-paced community Emergency Department.  The rotation exposes residents to providing care without the availability of many back-up subspecialty services.  Residents also learn the indications for appropriate stability assessment prior to transfer out of a community-based Emergency Department to a tertiary care facility.

What is the relationship with the Trauma Surgery department?

Depending upon the acuity of the trauma, the emergency team has the choice to invite the trauma service (surgical residents) to the Emergency Department.  Emergency medicine residents and surgery residents work hand in hand in the trauma resuscitations.

Do your residents see enough trauma?

As a designated Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center, our residents have plenty of experience leading trauma resuscitations.

Does the Emergency Department have admitting privileges?

Yes.  The Emergency Department has full admitting privileges and the final say on the disposition of the patient.

How are residents evaluated?

Residents are given monthly and end of shift evaluations from attendings they have worked with.  Additionally, residents meet semi-annually with the directors to discuss their progress and growth. 

What kind of ultrasound experience do residents get?

During their 1st and 2nd years, residents complete two weeks of ultrasound respectively.  The department has 3 GE and 1 Zonare Mindray ultrasound machines for the exclusive use of the department.  Additionally, at least once a month we have dedicated ultrasound lecture time given by one of our fellowship trained attendings. 

Is simulation training incorporated into the residency training?

A full day of conference every other month is simulation day.  The time consists of a mixture of case simulations and procedure training. Residents are encouraged to get involved and create simulation cases.  We often send residents to national conferences to participate in SIM WARS!  Once a year we hold a cadaver lab to provide further opportunity to practice invasive procedures.

Is there a research requirement?

Residents must partake in a scholarly activity project during their residency as an ACGME requirement.  During the first year residents meet with our research division to help guide our resident on a path of interest.  During 2nd and 3rd year, residents have time to continue working on their research project and pursuing new ones.

What do residents choose to do for elective?

Choice of elective is often specific to each resident.  Some examples of common electives include, Maryland Shock Trauma, Medical legal, International medicine missions, Emergency Department administration, Cardiology and many more.  We encourage our residents to be creative and pursue their interests.

What fellowship opportunities are available?

We currently have fellowship opportunities in Administration, Medical Education, Ultrasound and Global Health. 

Do you allow residents to moonlight?

Yes. 2nd and 3rd year residents are encouraged to moonlight in the department while maintaining duty hour restrictions. In addition, they have outside opportunities at local events, such as the Staten Island Ferry Hawk games and the Jones Beach Theatre.