Residency Program
Welcome to the UCSF-ZSFG Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Our four-year, ACGME-accredited program, offered through the UCSF Department of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco, is approved for 15 residents each year. There is a separate ACGME-accredited Emergency Medicine residency program in Fresno approved for 10 residents each year.
The primary goal of the UCSF-ZSFG Emergency Medicine residency program is to educate physicians in the unique body of knowledge and skills that comprise the discipline of emergency medicine. Central to this goal is the development of a high level of competence in the immediate recognition, evaluation and response to acute illness and trauma, and initiation of primary care in non-emergent situations. Secondary goals are the encouragement of leadership skills, scientific inquiry, creative problem solving, ethical considerations in practice, effective interpersonal skills, and the development of the habits of continuing education, personal well-being, and self-assessment.
Graduates of our program meet the eligibility criteria to sit for the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Qualifying Examination. All residents choose an Area of Distinction (AOD) during their emergency medicine residency training. Prior to graduation, each resident is required to:
- Produce a scholarly project within their chosen AOD Participate in a quality improvement/patient safety project
- Complete an administrative project
UCSF has a vast array of resources to foster academic excellence.


Our Mission Statement
We, the UCSF-ZSFG Emergency Medicine Residents, resolve to: become experts in recognizing the sick, vulnerable, and downtrodden, be they patients, colleagues or friends; listen to and advocate for our patients, each other, and our community; draw strength from diversity and advance our knowledge to promote high-quality care for the betterment of our patients.
Life as a UCSF-ZSFG Emergency Medicine Resident
The rigor of emergency medicine residency training is matched by the strength of our community. Here, personal and professional development happens alongside a close-knit group of colleagues who support, challenge, and celebrate one another every step of the way. Our residents grow not only as physicians but as teammates, friends, and future leaders. Get a glimpse at some of the moments that shape our resident experience below.