During interview tours and dinners, we often hear similar questions from applicants. That’s great! For your reference, here are those answers. At the end, we’ve included some more questions you might want to ask us on interview day.

Q: How long are shifts?
A: We work 8 hour shifts. An additional hour is scheduled beyond this for completion of dictation and patient duties.

Q: Do you work one-on-one with attendings at all levels?
A: Yes. Unlike other programs, you will always present and work directly with an attending from your first day as an intern.

Q: Do you alternate procedure days with trauma surgery? 
A: No, we do not. The ED runs all trauma codes and performs all procedures in the department. Only 11% of EM programs in the country have this arrangement.

Q: Do you see pediatric codes?
A: Yes. Due to the high percentage of pediatric patients we see, we see a large number of pediatric codes – medical and trauma – and are fully equipped, trained, and prepared to handle them.

Q: Do graduates go on to fellowships? 
A: Yes! Over the last several years, about 33% of our graduates go on to fellowships. Ultrasound and Critical Care fellowships are heavily represented.

Q: Do you have any in-house fellowship programs?
A: Yes. We are known for our in-house fellowships in Ultrasound, Toxicology, EMS, and Research. We also have fellowships in Medical Education, Basic Science Research, Hypobaric Medicine, Global Health, and Sports Medicine.

Q: Is the Level II Trauma Center designation an issue? 
A: Not at all. Detroit EMS triages runs based on location, not trauma center level. We actually receive more priority 1 runs – “life and limb threatening” – than any of the other EDs in Detroit.

Q: How are your Grand Rounds?
A: We have protected time for Grand Rounds every Thursday, 830a-130p. We have revamped our curriculum using the Foundations of Emergency Medicine framework. This is includes small group break out sessions for each PGY level. We focus on group discussion and oral boards style case presentations. Additionally we have a balance between attending and resident presentations.  Our lecture format is a mixture of interactive discussions, cases designed to engage the audience, and presentations.  We participate in WSU quarterly toxicology grand rounds and pediatric grand rounds. Pre-COVID we hosted combined grand rounds with our fellow EM residencies at cool places such as the MGM Grand, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, etc!

Q: Where do most residents live?
A: Most residents live in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area (a suburb about 10-15 minutes away) or Downtown/Midtown Detroit (about 10 minutes away).

Q: Do you feel safe at work and in Detroit?
A: Without question – absolutely yes. DMC takes security very seriously, and there are always several security officers in the Department. DMC security officers will even come to you if your car breaks down within several miles of the hospital.

Q: Do you work EMS shifts, including helicopters?
A: You will work several EMS shifts, (or “ride-alongs”). As of now, we do not offer helicopter flight time. The DMC EMS Fellowship is based out of SGH, and it’s very easy to increase your exposure if this is your area of interest.

Q: Can you attend annual conferences?
A: Yes. You will attend SAEM and ACEP conferences during your residency. Additionally, you can travel to any conference where your work has been accepted.

Q: Do residents have to work a ‘fast track’ or ‘urgent care’ area?
A: No. Residents work only in the Main ED. You will see occasional urgent care complaints due to overflow/triage policies, which will ensure your competence in this area.

Q: Tell us about food.
A: Our cafeteria provides good food, and has a 24 hour Subway and vending machines. For better or for worse, you can get chicken wings for breakfast. And, most importantly, there’s free coffee for residents every morning. Residents are provided with a meal stipend. They have a choice between transferring the funds to

Q: What should I explore while in Detroit?
A: Check out any of our ongoing sporting events, the Detroit Institute of Art, the Detroit International Riverfront bordering Canada, or Campus Martius if you’re looking for leisurely strolls; go Axe throwing (exactly what it sounds like) or Fowling (imagine football and bowling together) for the more involved; grab drinks at Detroit’s many breweries or distilleries if you’re thirsty; or ask any of us for suggestions regarding food– because most of us have too many– if you’re hungry!

Here are some other questions you can ask on interview day: What’s your least/favorite thing about this program? What made you come here? What would you change? What kind of person would do well here?