University of Kansas Emergency Medicine Residency Program

At the University of Kansas Emergency Medicine Residency, we are more than just a training program — we are a community of learners, clinicians, and leaders, united by shared values and a clear purpose. We believe in compassion, humility and curiosity. We carry these values not only as ideals but as daily practices. We are committed to transparency, collaboration and resident-driven growth, and we view every resident as a partner in shaping who we are and who we hope to become.

We call this collection of values, goals, and practices the “KU EM Way.” Our team strives to build a culture of integrity, trust, and continuous improvement. This culture then guides how we care for patients, how we treat each other, and how we lead within the field of emergency medicine.

Core Values

• Humility
  We lead by listening. We recognize that medicine is a lifelong journey, and we approach each day ready to learn from our patients, from our colleagues and from ourselves.

• Compassion
  We care deeply for our patients, for our peers and for ourselves. We believe in human connection as the foundation of healing, and we foster an environment where kindness and support are not just encouraged but expected.

• Curiosity
  We ask questions. We challenge assumptions. We never stop learning. Whether you’re innovating at the bedside, working on a quality improvement project, or diving deep into an academic passion, your curiosity has a home here.

• Transparency and Collaboration
  We believe that a great program is built with residents, not for them. From curriculum and scheduling to wellbeing, sustainability, and recruitment, residents have a voice — and that voice shapes everything we do.

Our Clinical Mission

Our clinical mission is grounded in honesty, integrity and access to high-quality care for every patient, every shift. We believe that an excellent emergency physician must be able to care for anyone, anywhere. We seek to train physicians in a setting that reflects the wide variety of needs and strengths of our community.

We are proud to serve a richly varied patient population across multiple practice settings. Our department exists across the spectrum of emergency medicine: from a large academic medical center to community hospitals to prehospital environments. These practice environments strengthen our learning, sharpen our skills and require a conscious commitment to caring for all.

Our dedication to individuals and communities from all walks of life extends beyond patients. This culture includes our entire KU EM family. We foster a program culture where differences are celebrated, belonging is intentional and every voice is valued.

Our Clinical Philosophy

We believe in graduated supervision, not simply graduated responsibility. From day one, our residents are empowered, trusted, and given the opportunity to care for all patients. Rather than deferring care of the critically ill to more senior team members, every member of our team is included from the moment they join KU EM.

Our goal is to build confident, compassionate, independent emergency physicians. We pursue this goal intentionally and actively. Rather than passively allowing your skill set to evolve, KU EM actively engages to optimize your learning.

Well-being, Balance and the Long Game

We believe that well-being is a complex pursuit that requires resources and commitment. We prioritize:

• Psychological safety and open communication

• Schedule flexibility that reflects real-life needs

• Built-in mental health resources and protected time

• Financial wellness education, including salary transparency, debt navigation and early career planning

• A culture that normalizes rest, boundaries, and joy

KU EM is training physicians, but we are also supporting people. Our KU EM family deserves to thrive both during and after residency.

Agents of Change — in EM and Beyond

KU EM trains emergency physicians as leaders, advocates and innovators. Our residents are involved in a wide variety of clinical, administrative and scholarly realms:

• Health justice work

• Community outreach

• Disaster response

• Emergency Medical Service (EMS) innovation

• Quality improvement

• Local, state and national advocacy

Whether in the trauma bay, the statehouse or the community center, we believe emergency medicine is a platform for impact and a place for our residents to make their voices to be heard.

KU EM is proud to call Kansas City home. We take seriously our role in improving the health and well-being of the community around us. But our reach goes far beyond KC — our work is helping shape the future of emergency medicine.

Why KU EM?

• A resident and faculty group that sees you, trusts you and grows with you

• An extended team that values collaboration over hierarchy

• Leadership that encourages innovation, advocacy and creativity

• A supportive group of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and staff that celebrates those around them in an environment of integrity and diversity, and leads with equity

• A residency that builds confident, thoughtful, resilient emergency physicians

Training at KU EM provides the opportunity to develop clinical excellence. But beyond the emergency department, our residents go forward with the tools to lead change, build community and shape the future of our specialty.

That’s The KU EM Way.

• Innovation, support, honesty 
• Your patient, your procedure, from day one 
• Make the journey as personalized as possible 
• Allow you to be the guide for your career