The ACGME accredited Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Charleston Area Medical Center is dedicated to excellence in the training of Emergency Medicine Residents.

The goal of the training program is to provide graduating residents the tools, skills, empathy and knowledge to practice in any Emergency Department of their choosing. The residency program strives to achieve the ultimate goal of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Charleston Area Medical Center, excellence in patient care.

With the resources available through Charleston Area Medical Center, the CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), and West Virginia University, the Emergency Medicine residency program is a unique education opportunity not found elsewhere in the country.

Comprehensive Clinical Training

The program will be taught using the newest and most innovative approaches to medical education, along with extensive clinical exposure in all areas essential to the competent and compassionate practice of emergency medicine.

These resources allow for the focus of the didactic component of the Emergency Medicine education to be small group presentations, intensive instruction using simulation (standardized patients, partial task trainers and high fidelity full human patient simulators), and active resident participation in the learning process. 

Combined with bedside teaching that employs a one resident and one board-certified attending model, with a patient population that exceeds 100,000 visits annually, we offer exceptional educational opportunities.

Goals of the Emergency Medicine Program:

  • Promote a broad understanding of the role of Emergency Medicine as it relates to other medical specialties
  • Integrate the sciences applicable to emergency medicine with clinical experiences to prepare residents to assume progressive responsibilities, commencing with general medical skills, and progressing to complete care of patients in need of emergency care
  • Enable the Emergency Medicine resident to rapidly evaluate, initiate treatment, problem solve and prescribe the appropriate therapy of the emergency patient
  • Develop the teaching skills of the residents in Emergency Medicine
  • Develop professional leadership and management skills
  • Promote lifelong learning in medical education through engagement in quality improvement/patient safety initiatives and research
  • Develop interest in, and understanding of, research in Emergency Medicine
  • Prepare the resident to meet certification requirements of the American Board of Emergency Medicine
  • Assure competence in procedures and ultrasound as they relate to the practice of Emergency Medicine
  • Provide a professional and team-based learning environment where residents can work without fear of intimidation
  • Provide a learning environment free of disparity with a focus on diversity, equality and inclusion
  • Promote the importance of well-being, work-life balance, resilience and management of stress and burnout

Research Opportunities

Emergency Medicine Residents will receive instruction and practical experience in medical education to prepare them to assume a role in any academic program in the country. One of the goals of the Emergency Medicine residency is that residents develop an interest in, and understanding of, research in emergency medicine. The program emphasizes scholarly activity in many forms and provides ample opportunities to residents for involvement in interdepartmental collaboration on patient safety and quality improvement projects, original research ventures, case report development and curriculum creation and teaching. Residents must display active involvement in scholarly activity as an element of residency completion. 

Salary and Benefits

CAMC offers a comprehensive salary and benefit package for residents and fellows.

View Benefits

Hear From Our Residents

Photo of Rachel Martin

I have been incredibly pleased with the training I've received thus far at Charleston Area Medical Center. I have been exposed to a wide array of pathologies and multiple comorbidities, which will strongly shape me into being the best emergency physician I can be. Residents are given a significant level of autonomy early on, which is a unique aspect of our program. The support I received from my co-residents, attendings, mid-levels, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and radiology techs is unreplicable. We also have weekly didactic sessions that include lectures from our facility, simulation sessions and the opportunity to teach as residents that prepare us for the in-training exams and, ultimately, our boards. We also have fun outside of work with multiple wellness events. We have a family dynamic. I may be biased as a West Virginia native, but I firmly believe that WV has some of the best people in the country, and it is my honor and privilege to take care of them at CAMC.

Rachel Martin, MD   PGL 2 Resident
Robert Stawicki

CAMC was by far my first choice for my Emergency Medicine Residency. CAMC receives high patient volumes annually and is responsible for covering a large geographic area in West Virginia. These patients are in high acuity and have critical care statuses with multiple comorbidities. It was clear I would have an abundant number of opportunities to care for and treat very complex critically ill patients, thus equaling an excellent training environment. CAMC provides an environment that is very 'hands-on' from the beginning, which is a huge advantage to be able to not only perform procedures but also be able to master them with many repetitions. Additionally, the comradery between residents, attendings and teaching staff is superb. Your co-residents always have your back and are willing to go above and beyond to teach and train you to ensure you become the best physician you can be. The atmosphere is enjoyable, and the learning opportunities are endless. West Virginia is a beautiful state with a large variety of outdoor activities, and the affordable cost of living is a luxury. I am more than pleased with my decision to represent and be a part of CAMC. It would be very difficult to find a finer program than CAMC to give you the tools to become a successful and fully trained physician.

Robert Stawicki, DO   PGL 1 Resident
Life as an Emergency Medicine Resident at CAMC
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Everyone had a great time at the wellness event that was held for our residents at the Charleston Dirty Birds baseball game!
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The Emergency Medicine Residency had its annual "Procedure Day in the park" during the summer! This is an opportunity to get out of the classroom and practice procedures while enjoying the outdoors. The day ended with a competition relay race. Congratulations to team "Hammer Time" for winning the day!
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The Emergency Medicine residents, along with some of the students, went rafting on the New River! They had a great time!
EM residents in helicopter
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During didactics, resident Austin Bennett, DO gave a great interactive lecture on splinting in wilderness medicine. He showed the group how to make a traction splint out of ski poles. To make didactics even better, the group got to enjoy Crumbl Cookies!
EM residents in front of HealthNet helicopter
EM residents working with Charleston Fire Dept
EM residents playing basketball
EM residents in Simulation Center
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In April, Austin Bennett, DO and Pierre Charbonniez, DO participated in the Black Bear Enduro in Kanawha State Forest. This is part of the West Virginia Enduro Series.