This month, the EMRA Medical Student Council interviewed Ryan Fringer, MD, FACEP, Program Director of Beaumont Health's Emergency Medicine Residency Program, about applying for an emergency medicine residency spot. Dr. Fringer shares his advice and insight into opportunities at Beaumont Health.
What sets your program apart from others?
Patient Volume: In EM, there is no substitute for volume. More than 130,000 patients are treated each year in the Emergency Center at Beaumont Hospital - Royal Oak, making this one of the 10 busiest emergency departments in the U.S. The acuity/severity is also very high, resulting in a >40% admission rate. Our residents complete EM rotations at Beaumont Hospital - Troy (100,000 patients/year) and have the opportunity for a rotation at Beaumont Hospital - Grosse Pointe (55,000 patients/year). In September 2017, we will start working in one of the largest Emergency Centers in the country. Our new department will have 138 private rooms to allow us to continue delivering a high standard of care to our growing population.
Pediatrics: Beaumont EM residents receive a great Pediatric EM education with our Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine in the Department of Emergency Medicine. We also have a PEM fellowship that accepts both Pediatric and EM grads.
What are the benefits of attending a 3 vs. 4 year EM residency program?
The decision to attend a 3- or 4-year program is very personal. I advise students to consider other aspects of the program BEFORE considering the length of the curriculum. In other words, it should be a consideration, but not a major determinant as to how to rank programs on your list.
What is something that students may not know about your program?
Most medical students experience EM in busy, urban hospitals. Our program is based in a suburb of Detroit, but we are the busiest emergency center and health system in the region. Also, our acuity and admit rates are much higher than most other institutions.
What range of USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 scores do you look for in an applicant for the program?
All applicants to our program are required to take the USMLEs, including osteopathic graduates. The mean national score for students matching into EM in 2016 was 231 for Step 1 and 244 for Step 2CK. We have no "cut-offs," but our matched residents have scored very well on their exams. Importantly, I advise those students who have not performed well to provide an explanation in their personal statement.
What kinds of opportunities for research exist? Do you look for residency candidates with research experience?
I have matched a range of residents regarding their research experience. Several of our residents have PhDs or other advanced degrees; however, this is not required. We have a very successful research division that will help you fulfill your scholarly activity requirement and develop a skillset that will allow you to perform research and interpret EM literature in your career.
Do you have opportunities to explore global health at your institution?
Many of our residents complete an elective in global health. Beaumont values these opportunities and supports residents in these pursuits and interests. I am in the process of developing a longitudinal global health curriculum for all residents at Beaumont that would conclude with an international elective.
What are some qualities that your program looks for in applicants?
We match residents who are motivated and excited about the specialty of Emergency Medicine. Additionally, many of our residents are interested in making an impact on the specialty through research, leadership and advocacy, education, etc.
Interested in learning more about EM at William Beaumont Hospital?