Top Emergency Medicine Residency Programs in the U.S. (2025 Guide)

Choosing an emergency medicine (EM) residency program is one of the most important decisions of your medical career. With most EM residencies lasting 3–4 years, the quality of your training will shape your skills, confidence, and future career path. In this updated guide for 2025, we highlight some of the most competitive, innovative, and well-rounded emergency medicine residency programs in the United States—and how you can prepare for them, including through global health internships like those offered by Go Elective.

Whether you’re interested in research, community advocacy, wilderness medicine, or simulation-based training, these programs offer exceptional opportunities.

What to Look for in an Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Before diving into rankings, consider the following when evaluating programs:

Curriculum Structure

Does it emphasize trauma, critical care, pediatrics, or underserved care? Look for variety in rotations.

Faculty and Mentorship

Strong mentors help with career development, fellowship placement, and research guidance.

Diversity of Clinical Settings

Programs with urban, rural, and international exposure help you adapt to various healthcare systems.

Global Health Opportunities

Residencies with global health tracks or electives can align with students who've participated in programs like Go Elective’s pre-med and medical internships in East Africa.

 
Best Emergency Medicine Residency Programs 

1. Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency (HAEMR)

Location: Boston, MA
Highlights:

• World-class simulation training at the STRATUS Center.
• Rotations at Brigham and Women’s, MGH, and Cambridge Health Alliance.
• Strong mentorship and leadership development.
  
  

2. Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Residency

Location: Palo Alto, CA
Highlights:

• Focus on innovation, simulation, and emergency ultrasound.
• Proximity to Silicon Valley fosters tech-driven emergency medicine solutions.
• Optional research and global health tracks.
  
  

3. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

Location: San Francisco, CA
Highlights:

• Pioneering in Social Emergency Medicine & Health Equity.
• SEMPH (Social Emergency Medicine and Population Health) curriculum.
• Electives in Kenya, Guatemala, and Tanzania through international partnerships.
  
  

4. Emory University

Location: Atlanta, GA
Highlights:

• Extensive point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training.
• Community outreach via its Health Equity Leadership Initiative.
• Opportunities for advocacy and public health engagement.
  
  

5. University of Cincinnati

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Highlights:

• Known for EMS and disaster medicine training.
• Involvement with Air Care/Mobile Care transport teams.
• Diverse patient population and a long-standing tradition in EM education.
  
  

6. University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Highlights:

• Global Health and Disparities Path of Excellence.
• Wilderness medicine tracks and conference access.
• Emphasis on mentorship and service to marginalized communities.
  
  

7. Indiana University

Location: Indianapolis, IN
Highlights:

• Integrated EMS and disaster medicine track.
• Population Health and Advocacy curriculum.
• Opportunities for teaching, public health, and curriculum development.
  
  

8. University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL
Highlights:

• Strong simulation and critical care training.
• Social EM and Health Equity track.
• Focus on academic emergency medicine and research.
  
  

9. Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, MD
Highlights:

• Dedicated second-year research rotation.
• Critical Care Scholars Program and simulation-based curriculum.
• Annual Innovations in Emergency Medicine Conference.
  
  

10. University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Highlights:

• Innovation and Leadership curriculum.
• POCUS track with advanced ultrasound education.
• SEMPH initiative addressing health disparities.
  
  

11. NYU Langone

Location: New York City, NY
Highlights:

• Global Health Scholars Program and electives abroad.
• State-of-the-art training at NYSIM simulation center.
• Annual Global Health Conference and strong educational mentorship.
  
  

12. University of Washington

Location: Seattle, WA
Highlights:

• Leading Wilderness Medicine curriculum in the U.S.
• MES Track (Medical Education & Scholarship) for academic EM careers.
• Community-based rotations throughout the Pacific Northwest.
  
  

13. Mayo Clinic

Location: Rochester, MN
Highlights:

• Global Health Symposium and elective experiences.
• CIT Track (Clinical Informatics & Technology).
• Strong in research, clinical innovation, and simulation.
  
  

14. Mount Sinai

Location: New York City, NY
Highlights:

• Robust toxicology and simulation curriculum.
• SEMA Track (Social Emergency Medicine and Advocacy).
• Virtual reality simulation and mentorship in medical education.

How to Strengthen Your Application for Emergency Medicine

Gaining acceptance to a top EM residency requires more than grades and test scores. Clinical exposure, global perspective, and leadership matter too.

1. Gain Global Health Experience

Programs like Go Elective’s medical internships allow pre-med and medical students to shadow emergency physicians in high-volume hospitals in Kenya and Tanzania. These immersive experiences showcase your adaptability, cross-cultural competency, and dedication to underserved communities.

2. Develop a Strong Personal Statement

Your ERAS personal statement should reflect why you’re drawn to emergency medicine and how your experiences, such as shadowing abroad, shaped that calling.

3. Pursue Research or Advocacy

Many of the programs listed above value residents involved in clinical research, social medicine, or public health. Begin developing your interests early.

4. Consider Attending Specialty Conferences

Conferences like SAEM, ACEP, and the Wilderness Medicine Society can offer exposure to emerging trends in EM and connect you with mentors.

Final Thoughts on Choosing an EM Residency

Emergency medicine residency programs vary widely. Some focus heavily on research and simulation; others prioritize wilderness medicine, critical care, or health equity. It’s essential to choose a program that aligns with your values and long-term goals.

Programs like those offered by Go Elective provide the kind of early, formative exposure to emergency settings in resource-constrained environments that residency directors respect. By combining clinical experience, public health involvement, and mentorship, Go Elective helps shape competitive, globally-minded EM applicants.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 14, 2025