Emergency Medicine Fellowship

The US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) North Alabama Emergency Medicine Fellowship provides the unique opportunity for primary care physicians to become board-certified in emergency medicine. This fellowship is recognized by the American Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) and graduates of the program qualify for written and oral exams to receive board certification in emergency medicine by the American Board of Physician Specialists.

Application Process

  • Applications are open from July 1 — September 30. 
  • Annually, 6 applicants are accepted into the 12-month fellowship program. 
  • Early application submissions are recommended as interview offers are made on a rolling basis. 
  • Applications outside of this period may be considered if openings are available or if a new program is started. 
  • Interview dates are sent to applicants after our team has received either a completed application (can be pending letters of recommendation) or an emailed letter of intent to apply to our program. 

 

How to Apply 

Ready to apply? Complete this application form and submit to [email protected]. A recruiter will be in contact with you to discuss next steps in the process. 

Need more information? We’re ready to help. Send us an email at [email protected] and we will connect you with a recruiter who can share additional insight about the fellowship. 

 

About Our Training Sites

Both Cullman Regional Medical Center and Highlands Medical Center emergency departments have recently undergone renovations and now offer ample space dedicated to teaching and learning emergency medicine skills.

Cullman Regional is a designated Level III Trauma Center that sees an annual ED volume of 50,000 visits. Its diverse patient population and high-acuity cases, including complex presentations, provide fellows with robust and well-rounded clinical exposure. Highlands sees an annual ED volume of 17,000 visits and is the only hospital in Jackson County, providing a wide range of cases.

Our program is designed to give fellows hands-on experience in managing specialized emergency cases, critical care, chest pain and STEMI, stroke, trauma, pediatrics, and OBGYN. Opportunities for performing procedures are abundant at both locations, helping to accelerate clinical competence and board preparedness.

 

Life in Alabama

North Alabama is a fantastic place to call home, offering a unique blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and abundant outdoor adventures. From scenic hiking trails and picturesque lakes to thriving arts scenes and lively festivals, the region provides year-round natural beauty and countless opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Its welcoming communities, steeped in genuine Southern hospitality, offer a warm and charming atmosphere that makes settling in easy and enjoyable.

Both training sites for the fellowship are conveniently located between two major metropolitan areas: Huntsville and Birmingham. Notably, Huntsville was recently named one of the Top 10 Best Places to Live and Work in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024), highlighting North Alabama’s growing reputation as a hub for quality of life, innovation, and opportunity.

 

How We Teach

Clinical Setting

Clinical responsibilities include approximately 14 shifts per month exclusively in the ED. USACS fellows participate in a didactic lecture series each Thursday, taking a deep dive into high-impact topics that will expertly prepare them for EM boards and their future career as an EM physician.

Didactic lectures are supplemented with longitudinal board preparation throughout the program to help ensure your success on exam day.

“The USACS North Alabama Emergency Medicine Fellowship program prepares you to succeed in any emergency department in the country.”

Special Topics Courses 

We’ve strategically designed our Special Topics Courses, offered throughout the program, to focus developing emergency medicine skills and acumen. Noteworthy courses include an ENT Skills Course, Ortho and Splinting Course, Dental Emergency Course, and multiple Ultrasound Courses, to name a few. 

 

Fellowship Seminars 

USACS fellows also participate in our unique Fellowship Seminars, which offer hands-on, engaging learning experiences at several notable North Alabama locations. Highlights include theNASCAR Experience at the Talladega Speedway, focused on motor vehicle accidents and trauma care; a Snake Bite Symposium taught by wilderness medicine experts at the Birmingham Zoo; a Ballistics Injuries Seminarheld at a major firearms training center; and multiple EMS and critical care ride-alongs. The curriculum also covers essential emergency medicine procedures, includingairway management and ED bedside ultrasound. 

Aquino, Eugene, M.D.
Current EM Fellow
Ganjawala, Niraj, M.D.
Current EM Fellow
Jeffcoat, Daniel, M.D.
Current EM Fellow
Vazquez, Ernesto, M.D.
Current EM Fellow