Overview
Goals & Objectives
Program Description
Application
Contact Us
::::::::: Overview ::::
The Emory University Department of Emergency Medicine offers several tracks for a research fellowship. Fellows will be paired with a faculty member in the department with expertise in the fellow's research area of interest. Each fellowship track is designed to mold aspiring academic emergency physicians into clinical research scientists and nationally recognized leaders in Emergency Medicine research. Clinical research fellows join the Emory Department of Emergency Medicine as faculty members at the clinical instructor level.
The first year of the two-year program concentrates on didactic coursework and conducting preliminary work on a research project in an area of programmatic interest to the scholar within the Department of Emergency Medicine under the mentorship of one of the department's basic science, clinical science, or public health researchers. During the second year, fellows will finish their research and develop a grant proposal. Current areas of emphasis include neuroscience, medical toxicology, prehospital care, injury control, intimate partner violence, cardiology, disaster medicine, clinical epidemiology, international health, and public health surveillance
Research fellows will take specific courses in methodology and statistics as well as any elective courses the fellow identifies an interest in. The fellow does not need to complete a master's degree, although this option is offered by our department. Fellows that are interested in obtaining a degree may apply for Emory's two-year Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degree program. This NIH-funded initiative is designed to teach physicians the fundamentals of research methodology, statistics, and clinical trials design. For acceptance into the program through the Department of Emergency Medicine, applicants will have to meet the regular entrance requirements of the Emory Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences as well as those of the Department of Epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health, and receive one of the NIH tuition-funded slots.
::::::::: Goals and Objectives ::::
::::::::: Goals ::::
- To provide mentored research career development in Emergency Medicine research as evidenced by: publications in peer-reviewed Emergency Medicine and general readership medical journals; local, national, and international recognition as a content expert in an area of focus; and demonstrated skill in grant writing that leads to sustained extramural funding from national funding agencies.
- To develop into an independently funded Emergency Medicine researcher.
- To provide opportunities to gain experience as a mentor and educator for Emergency Medicine residents, rotating medical students, and other students.
- To obtain and sharpen clinical skills necessary to maintain excellence in clinical practice and develop special expertise in a chosen area of research focus.
::::::::: Research Objectives ::::
- Link knowledge of medicine with analytic science including: statistical reasoning, decision analysis, probability theory, analytical epidemiology, and informatics. Develop a thorough understanding of the principles of evidence-based medicine, bioethics, clinical trials design, and regulations involving human and animal subjects, scientific writing, and responsible research conduct.
- Define and develop an area of research expertise.
- Develop a mentor-mentee relationship in an area of focus.
- Develop short-term and long-term research plans to accomplish scholarly and career objectives.
- Design and implement one or more studies in a chosen area of interest.
- Produce intellectual products, including: one or more abstracts suitable for presentation at a national and international conference; one or more articles suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed specialty or general medical journal; and a draft "PHS 398" caliber grant proposal suitable for submission to a federal funding agency.
- Develop skills in presenting scientific papers at regional and national academic conferences.
- Be prepared during year two of the fellowship to apply for institutional, regional, and/or national funding.
::::::::: Clinical Objectives ::::
- Obtain and sharpen clinical skills necessary to maintain excellence in clinical practice.
- Develop clinical expertise that is complementary to the candidate's chosen area of emphasis.
- Pass the examinations necessary to secure ABEM or ABOEM certification in Emergency Medicine.
::::::::: Teaching Objectives ::::
- Deliver two lectures per year to Emergency Medicine residents (preferably in the focus area).
- Develop and deliver research education lectures to faculty and residents.
- Actively participate in other departmental educational activities such as journal club, grand rounds, research committee, and resident/student teaching
- Provide formal mentorship to selected Emergency Medicine residents/students working on research projects including project development, IRB submission, data analysis, and production of an intellectual product.
- Improve skills in public speaking.
::::::::: Program Description ::::
Emory's Department of Emergency Medicine is one of the most academically productive departments of Emergency Medicine in the country, with federally-funded research grants in basic science, clinical science, and public health. Each research fellow will function as a faculty member within the Department of Emergency Medicine and is afforded all of the privileges therein. Salary and benefits are highly competitive, particularly in light of the program's strengths and benefits.
For those applicants accepted into the Masters of Science in Clinical Research Program, formal coursework and a mentored thesis lead to the Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degree from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Emory University. This provides the defined credentials and knowledge necessary to allow graduates of the program to pursue outstanding careers in clinical research. The MSCR program should be completed within two years. The first year includes required and elective didactic courses. The second year consists primarily of a mentored research project and thesis. The MSCR degree program is enhanced by special seminars, workshops, didactic courses, guest speakers, journal club, newsletter, Web site links and other interactions that enhance cognitive and practical aspects of clinical research.
::::::::: Directorship of the Research Fellowship ::::
Emory Emergency Medicine Research Scholars will meet regularly with senior faculty who will supervise each Research Scholar's progress. Research Scholars will be required to submit quarterly progress reports to the Department Chair and Research Directors. Both research directors, Dr. Deb Houry and Dr. David Wright, are NIH-funded Emergency Medicine researchers.
::::::::: Mentor ::::
Selected Emergency Department faculty or other Emory University faculty, will serve as a mentor for each research fellow. Under special circumstances, interested researchers from outside the Department of Emergency Medicine who have established track records of successful collaborative investigation with members of the Department of Emergency Medicine may function as a fellow's mentor.
::::::::: Clinical Duties ::::
Clinical research fellows will hold a faculty appointment at the level of Clinical Instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. On average, scholars will work an average of eight eight-hour shifts per month (mean of 64 scheduled hours per month) during the two-year program. Clinical time may be clustered to reduce hours during periods of heavy coursework (i.e., the fall and spring semesters of the first year), or exams. Opportunities to work additional hours for additional pay within the Emory Emergency Medicine program may be provided, depending on the needs of the department and contingent on adequate progress by the fellow.
::::::::: Teaching Duties ::::
The fellow will have an active teaching role in the Department of Emergency Medicine as described in the teaching goals in section D. Quality of didactic and teaching sessions will be based on formal evaluation forms. Consistent with an academic career, each research fellow will learn how to develop and maintain a "teaching portfolio" during his/her time in the program.
::::::::: Research Focus Areas ::::
Current areas of emphasis include neuroscience (specifically traumatic brain injury), toxicology, injury control and intimate partner violence, cardiovascular emergencies, disaster medicine, clinical research, international medicine, and public health surveillance.
::::::::: Application ::::
::::::::: Prerequisites ::::
Applicants must be board certified or board eligible emergency physicians. If interested in the Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degree program, candidates must be accepted into the Emory Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, as well as the Department of Epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health. Acceptance is also contingent on Medical Licensure and DEA licensure in the State of Georgia and successful completion of the Emory Healthcare credentialing process. Emory is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
::::::::: Application Process ::::
The application process consists of a written letter of interest, a current Curriculum Vita, a letter of recommendation from the candidate's current Program Chair or Division Chief, and two additional professional letters of reference. A deadline of January 15 is imposed for applications seeking acceptance for July of the same year. Please send applications via US mail to Katherine Heilpern, MD, Acting Chair and Paula Bokros, Office Manager/Faculty Recruitment Coordinator. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Paula Bokros at Paula.Bokros@emoryhealthcare.org or (404) 778-5975.
Katherine L. Heilpern, MD
Acting Chair
Department of Emergency Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
531 Asbury Circle - Annex
Suite N340
Atlanta, GA 30322
kheilpe@emory.edu
Paula Bokros
Office Manager/Faculty Recruitment Coordinator
Department of Emergency Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
531 Asbury Circle - Annex
Suite N340
Atlanta, GA 30322
Phone: (404) 778-5975
Fax: (404) 778-2630
Paula.Bokros@emoryhealthcare.org
::::::::: Review Process ::::
Qualified candidates will be granted an initial interview with select faculty in the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health. Acceptance decisions will be based on prior training, research experience and focus, teaching, clinical experience, references, and personal interviews. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible following completion of every element of the review process outlined above.
::::::::: Evaluation ::::
Successful completion of coursework will be considered the minimal requirement for completion of the didactic component of the first two years of the program. The participant's performance will be formally reviewed by the fellow's mentor as well as faculty advisors from both within and outside the Department of Emergency Medicine. Clinical performance will be evaluated by the Emergency Department Medical Director/Service Chief of the research fellow's base hospital and reviewed by the Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Written feedback will include evaluations by all training physicians and students who were mentored by the fellow.
Formal evaluations of the Research Directors, mentor, and other faculty will be completed by the fellow at the end of each year.
The success of the Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Fellows Program will be measured by the scholarly activity of the candidates during and after graduation from the program as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed Emergency Medicine and general medical journals, local, national, and international recognition as expert in an area of focus, demonstrated skills in grant writing, and extramural funding.
::::::::: Contact Us ::::
For more information about research fellowships at Emory, please contact:
Vickie Howard
Department of Emergency Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 616-6010
vhoward@emory.edu
