What does your program offer that residents can’t get anywhere else?

Our program pairs training at one of the busiest emergency departments in the country at a nationally recognized county, safety-net, Level I Trauma and Regional Burn Center (MetroHealth) with a world-renowned quaternary academic referral center (Cleveland Clinic). This unique combination exposes residents to an impressive variety of pathology and truly prepares them to practice in any environment after graduation. We also offer the opportunity for residents to practice as a solo flight physician during their PGY-3 year while rotating with Metro LifeFlight—the largest hospital-based aeromedical program in the country.

These opportunities come with the added benefits and amenities of a large city (multiple professional sports teams, nationally renowned theater district, world renown orchestra, and incredible restaurants and food scene) with low cost of living which allows residents to have financial flexibility during residency training. Our dedicated faculty have been and are currently involved in our specialty at the regional, state, and national levels. (e.g., Ohio ACEP Presidents, Past ABEM President, and Past ACEP Research Forum Director).

Our faculty serve on editorial boards and national committees. We have an Addiction Medicine fellowship, and the sponsoring institution (MetroHealth) has a fellowship in Clinical Informatics; these are in addition to our current, long-standing ultrasound and EMS fellowships. Because our program has been in existence for over 30 years, we have a large alumni network. Our graduates have no problem matching in their fellowship of choice or obtaining their desired job after residency.

What are some fun activities residents like to partake in or recently participated in?

Cleveland is a great midwestern city on a Great Lake! Besides the many beaches, Cleveland has an extensive Metroparks system where residents can get outside and bike, run/hike, paddle, fish, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our residents have many opportunities to decompress and socialize with each other.

Every Wednesday evening, residents meet for “Wellness Wednesday,” which recently has incorporated trying new restaurants, kayaking, and paintballing. We have scheduled end of block get-togethers attended by both faculty and residents. We foster camaraderie and peer mentorship through “residency families” and families are guaranteed an evening off together every few months to spend time together.

Once per year, we also guarantee a night off together for each class, as well as guy’s night and girl’s night. Lastly, at the end of the academic year, residents have 24 hours off for our annual resident retreat in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

How should potential applicants learn more about your program?

• https://gme.metrohealth.org/emergencymedicine
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/emergency/medical-professionals/residency-program
• Email the Program Coordinator: Katie Shergalis – kshergalis@metrohealth.org
• Email the chiefs: Steffen Simerlink – ssimerlink@metrohealth.org; Kirsten Schulte – kschulte@metrohealth.org; Ryan Edelbrock – redelbrock@metrohealth.org; Sam Perry – sperry2@metrohealth.org