Welcome to the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham! Our dedicated team is comprised of faculty, staff, and learners—all committed to advancing the University’s tripartite mission in clinical service, education, and research.
Clinical Service
Our faculty service three emergency departments. The largest is our flagship University Emergency Department, located on 19th Street South. Highlands Emergency Department, located on 11th Avenue South, was the first accredited geriatric emergency department in the Southeast. The Gardendale Freestanding Emergency Department opened in 2019 and has since allowed us to provide easier access to care for the expanding population in northern Jefferson County.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our activities outside the four walls of the emergency departments. Iam particularly proud of our clinical services that take place throughout the state. For example, our medical toxicology services and hyperbarics and wound care service have partnered to form the Comprehensive Snakebite Program—one of the first snakebite follow-up clinics in the country. Additionally, we provide care in the field during events such as races at Talladega Superspeedway and Barber Motorsports Park, The 2022 World Games, USFL Football, and SEC Baseball Tournaments. Beyond these high-profile events, our faculty provide medical direction and training to many pre-hospital agencies and services in our state.
Ultimately, the emergency medicine specialty aims to provide care to “anyone, anything, anytime.”
Education
Learners at all levels grow within our department. Both visiting and UAB medical students gain experience in our medical student clerkship as well as our courses in ultrasound, toxicology, social emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, and more.
Our residency program is a three-year program with 36 slots. Throughout their time in the program, our residents garner skills in all facets of medicine and are given increased autonomy as they advance through residency. Our residents experience camaraderie and close relationships with mentors.
Fellowship opportunities in our department exist in a variety of areas including emergency medical services (ACGME accredited), global emergency medicine, ultrasound, social emergency medicine, and more. Our fellowships are designed to advance the learner’s career and develop them into an expert in their chosen sub-specialty.
Our department has also developed unique educational opportunities such as the Alabama EMS Challenge, a continuing education program for emergency medical services, nurses, and firefighters throughout the state.
Research
Department-wide, our research efforts focus primarily on population health and acute resuscitation. Being the front door to the health system grants our faculty the unique opportunity to focus on underserved populations, health screenings, and strategies to improve care across the health system continuum.
Working with a passionate and committed team is truly a joy. I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and look forward to expanding our reach in the coming years.
Marie-Carmelle Elie, MD, FACEP, FCCM
Chair and Endowed Professor