Cook County Emergency Medicine Residency: 7 Reasons This Safety Net Program Is The Most Competitive In The US
The Cook County Emergency Medicine Residency Program, based at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, remains one of the most competitive and highly sought-after training sites for aspiring emergency physicians in the United States. As of the current academic year, late 2025, the program is internationally recognized not just for its rigorous clinical volume but also for its commitment to serving a diverse, high-acuity patient population, providing an unparalleled training experience.
This four-year residency is structured to forge future leaders in the specialty, blending high-volume trauma and critical care exposure with cutting-edge subspecialty training in areas like Emergency Ultrasound and Toxicology. Its legacy as a premier safety net hospital ensures residents graduate with the skills and confidence to manage any medical crisis, anywhere in the world.
Program Leadership and Key Faculty Profile
The strength of the Cook County EM residency lies in its dedicated and experienced faculty, many of whom are nationally recognized leaders in emergency medicine, trauma, and medical education. The program is led by a team committed to maintaining its tradition of excellence and advocacy for underserved populations.
- Department Chair: Jeffrey Schaider, MD
- Program Director: Michael Schindlbeck, MD, FACEP, FAAEM (He/Him/His)
- Assistant Program Director/Associate Chair: Sean Dyer, MD
- Associate Program Directors: Rosaura Fernandez, MD, Jessica Folk, MD, Scott Sherman, MD, and Ari Edelheit, MD
- Director of Emergency Ultrasound: Christine Jung, MD
Dr. Michael Schindlbeck, as the Program Director, oversees a curriculum designed to push residents to their highest potential, ensuring they are prepared for the demands of high-acuity emergency medicine. The faculty’s diverse expertise in areas from simulation to research provides a comprehensive and well-rounded educational environment.
7 Core Components That Define Cook County’s EM Training
The Cook County Health and Hospitals System Program is not simply a high-volume emergency department; it is a meticulously crafted training environment. The following seven components highlight why this residency consistently attracts top medical school graduates through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
1. Unmatched Clinical Volume and Patient Diversity
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County is Chicago’s premier safety net hospital, providing care to over 120,000 patients annually in its Emergency Department. This volume guarantees residents exposure to a vast spectrum of pathology, from routine complaints to complex, high-acuity trauma and critical illness that is often unseen at other institutions. The patient population is wonderfully diverse, offering residents invaluable experience in cultural competency and health equity.
2. The Rigorous, Four-Year Trauma-Focused Curriculum
The Cook County EM residency is a four-year program (PGY-1 through PGY-4) designed for progressive responsibility and mastery. The training is characterized by dedicated, year-round exposure to trauma, a hallmark of the Stroger Hospital experience.
- PGY-1 Year: Begins with an intensive four-week orientation to build foundational emergency medicine acumen and procedural skills.
- PGY-2/PGY-3 Years: Residents build upon their foundation, rotating through critical care services like the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and dedicated subspecialty rotations, including a critical Toxicology rotation.
- PGY-4 Year: Senior residents function as educators and supervisors, primarily working on the high-acuity Red Team and the Green Team (fast track) to manage patient flow and complex cases.
3. The Internationally Recognized Emergency Ultrasound Program
Cook County is a pioneer in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training. The institution has offered an Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship since 2010, underscoring its expertise in the field. All residents receive comprehensive ultrasound training, completing over 250 quality-reviewed exams during their dedicated Emergency Ultrasound (EUS) rotation, making them highly qualified to utilize POCUS in their daily clinical practice.
4. Cutting-Edge Simulation and Didactic Learning
In addition to clinical exposure, the program emphasizes structured learning. Residents participate in four hours of didactic conference each week, which is supplemented by one hour of asynchronous learning to accommodate busy schedules. The use of high-fidelity Simulation training is integrated into the curriculum, allowing residents to practice critical procedures and crisis resource management in a safe, controlled environment.
5. Robust Research and Scholarly Activity Opportunities
The Department of Emergency Medicine at Stroger Hospital is actively engaged in research aimed at improving patient care, particularly within the safety net setting. Opportunities exist for residents to collaborate with faculty and even with Clinical Research Associates on impactful projects. The program encourages scholarly activity and provides the necessary resources for residents interested in academic emergency medicine.
6. The Cook County Culture: Advocacy and Community Service
The mission of the Cook County Health system is to provide quality healthcare with respect and dignity to the Cook County Community and beyond. Training here instills a deep sense of social responsibility and advocacy. Residents are immersed in a culture that prioritizes public health and health equity, preparing them to be physician-leaders who understand and address the social determinants of health affecting their patients.
7. Competitive Benefits and Chicago Life
While the focus is on rigorous training, the program ensures residents are supported. Residents receive an annual stipend of $5500, which is negotiated to offset the cost of food while working at the hospital and living in Chicago. The city of Chicago, Illinois, offers a vibrant backdrop for residency life, providing countless opportunities for cultural enrichment, dining, and recreation outside of the hospital.
Application and The NRMP Match Process
The Cook County Emergency Medicine Residency Program participates in the Main Match of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Due to its reputation and the quality of training, the program is consistently one of the most competitive physician residency programs nationwide, drawing from the brightest graduating medical students. Prospective residents are encouraged to apply early and consider the program’s unique focus on high-acuity, safety net medicine. The program has classes spanning from the current PGY-4 residents (Class of 2026) down to the incoming interns (Class of 2029), reflecting a commitment to continuous, high-quality physician training.
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