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What are you looking for in a resident application?
We’re looking for curious, conscientious individuals who are passionate about serving their communities. Ideal applicants are active learners, generous teachers, and dedicated team players. Emergency medicine is often the first point of access for many patients—we want residents who embody empathy, equity, and excellence, and who prioritize patient-centered care. We value those who embrace innovation, challenge the status quo, and strive to make the system—and themselves—better every day.
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What are some highlights or unique opportunities of your program?
What are some highlights or unique opportunities of your program?
Our inaugural class has helped shape the identity and culture of our residency from day one. Residents benefit from UTMB’s distinctive partnerships, clinical experiences, and educational opportunities, including:
- Aerospace Medicine, including exposure to NASA and SpaceX
- Polar and Antarctic Medicine through the Center for Polar Medicine
- Bedside and point-of-care ultrasound
- Level I Trauma and Burn Center experience
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Global Medicine
- Cruise Ship Medicine opportunities (coming soon)
Additional program highlights include:
- Significant NIH and foundation-supported research
- Access to one of the largest simulation centers in the United States
- Specialized training opportunities involving hurricanes and disaster response, marine environments, envenomation, burns, toxicology, and more
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Special event medicine, including Ironman events and Wings Over Houston
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What will my first year look like?
Our detailed block schedules can be viewed here: UTMB EM Block Schedule
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Why should I choose a UTMB residency?
Our program balances academic rigor with real-world excellence. Residents gain exposure to:
- Level 1 trauma and burn care
- Suburban and pediatric emergency medicine
- Disaster medicine, aerospace, and polar operations
All while enjoying island life in a vibrant, family-friendly community with a temperate climate and strong local culture.
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What procedures will I do as a resident?
We anticipate that residents will complete significantly more procedures than the number listed by the RRC. For example, we anticipate more than 100 intubation per resident.
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What are the emergency department volumes at UTMB sites?
Location Annual Visits Admit Rate Pediatrics Critical Care Galveston 44,308 (pre-COVID: 50,000) 26% 14% 6.7% League City 42,370 19% 18% 3.7% Clear Lake 40,606 27% 24% (100% in PED) 5% -
What are the duty hour issues for EM?
- Max 60 hours/week in ED (averaged over 4 weeks)
- Max 12-hour ED shifts
- Max 72 hours/week including clinical/program-related activities
- Minimum 24 hours off every 7 days
- Max 80 hours/week on non-EM rotations
- Shift-to-shift rest time equivalent to prior or next clinical shift
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Which study resources are used in your program?
- Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine
- UWorld
- HippoEM
- Board Review Questions
- Faculty-led study sessions
- Rosh Review
- AMBOSS
- UpToDate
- Foundations in Emergency Medicine
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What is Galveston like?
Galveston is a vibrant coastal city with 27 miles of beaches, rich Victorian architecture, and a diverse, welcoming community. Residents enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of island living while remaining just about an hour from Houston, a major global city with extensive dining, entertainment, professional sports, cultural attractions, and a large international airport.
Life outside the hospital offers plenty to explore, including:
- Local seafood and a wide variety of international cuisine
- Beaches, fishing, kayaking, biking, and other outdoor activities
- Family-friendly attractions and year-round community events
- Historic neighborhoods, museums, art galleries, and The Strand Historic District
- Easy access to Houston for additional entertainment, shopping, travel, and cultural experiences
Galveston also hosts a variety of popular annual events and island traditions, including:
- Mardi Gras! Galveston
- FeatherFest Birding & Nature Photography Festival
- Juneteenth celebrations
- Fourth of July celebrations along the Seawall
- Galveston Sandcastle Festival
- Galveston Island Shrimp Festival
- Island Oktoberfest
- Lone Star Rally
- Dickens on The Strand
- Holiday events at Moody Gardens
- Galveston ArtWalk and other arts and cultural events throughout the year
Whether residents prefer spending a day at the beach, exploring historic downtown, attending a festival, enjoying local restaurants, or making a quick trip to Houston, Galveston offers a unique balance of coastal living, community, and access to a major metropolitan area.
Learn more at the UTMB Living page.
