About the Program

The Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) offers a one-year program that prepares fellows to become leaders in the field.

Certified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the EMS Fellowship provides comprehensive training for two fellows each year. The program prepares emergency physicians in all aspects of pre-hospital and out-of-hospital care, and graduates leave the program with the knowledge and skillset required to do the following as independent EMS physicians:  

• Provide medical direction to all types of EMS agencies   
• Oversee and administer EMS educational programs  
• Care for critically ill and injured patients in transport and austere environments  
• Critically evaluate literature and apply evidence-based medicine to pre-hospital patient management  
• Design and conduct innovative pre-hospital research    

VCU Medical Center is a busy tertiary referral center that includes stroke and cardiac care plus Virginia’s only Level 1 trauma center certified in adult, pediatric and burn care.  

Fellows receive faculty appointment as clinical instructors in the Department of Emergency Medicine, providing guidance to medical students and residents, and perform an average of 50 clinical hours per month, with additional moonlighting opportunity.    

A Unique Experience

VCU faculty serve as medical directors for EMS agencies in Richmond and its surrounding counties, creating robust, comprehensive training opportunities for fellows. These agencies are the primary 911 responders for more than 1 million people in the urban, suburban and rural communities in the Richmond area. Faculty also provide medical oversight to three air transport bases who deliver critical care transport, search and rescue operations and scene response.

Fellows also gain experience in community paramedicine, tactical EMS and event medicine. 

Our division has an excellent working relationship with the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, who oversee EMS and disaster activities across the commonwealth. The program also provides opportunities for fellows to network and serve in leadership positions at the local, state and national levels.