Why Kennestone?
Kennestone fosters a supportive environment of residents and faculty in one of the busiest emergency departments in the country. As a community ED, we provide a realistic view of practicing emergency medicine. Outside of the hospital, easy access to one of the coolest cities in the country allows our residents to enjoy spectacular food, culture, and nature year-round. Our program provides a unique balance of learning and applying medicine while allowing residents to enjoy off time.
Fourth Year ED Elective
The emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital is the 8th busiest in the United States and serves as a Level I Trauma Center, an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, and a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Students will encounter a wide spectrum of pathology and acuity during their four-week rotation. The department includes multiple critical care rooms, a dedicated fast-track area, and an adjacent pediatric ED staffed by faculty trained in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.
Clinical Immersion
Students act as sub-interns, managing acutely ill and ambulatory patients under ABEM-certified faculty. The focus is hands-on emergency department experience with exposure to high-acuity and fast-track cases.
Structured Learning
Beyond shifts, students attend weekly resident lectures, monthly journal clubs, and dedicated student teaching sessions, reinforcing clinical learning with didactic and procedural training.
Feedback and Evaluation
Each shift includes direct faculty feedback and written evaluations. Final grades reflect clinical performance, and SLOEs are available for residency applications.
Fourth Year EMS Elective
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the ED volume?
>140,000/yr. ED can handle 220,000 per year. Admission rate: 25-30%. Current beds in use: 84 + 14 bed EMS holding area +/- hallway beds.
Do you all get a lot of procedures?
We are a very procedure-heavy program as we do not have ophthalmology, ENT, or anesthesia residencies. Many people finish their required ACGME procedure minimums by the end of second year (except OB deliveries, which is a 3rd year rotation).
Is there protected time for didactics?
Yes! All residents are off for didactics are Thursday morning, and interns are not scheduled on Wednesday nights
Can you moonlight?
Moonlighting is available through Rely MD Telehealth Service. Requirements are passing Step 3/Level 3 and applying for GA License. Only offered for 3rd year residents.
How many ED shifts do you work?
18 for PGY1. 17 for PGY2. 17 shift for PGY3 (includes 2/month longitudinal peds shifts at CHOA). Average 3 +/-1 night shifts (10 PM) per month (back to back). Most shifts are 1 on 1 with attending, otherwise senior+intern+attending (2:1)
What’s the shift structure?
10 hours total; 8 hour picking up patients + 2 hours to finish notes and dispositions. We do sign out, but encourage wrapping up patients from start to finish. We usually get out on time.
Do you have faculty mentors?
Yes! You rank your desired faculty mentor intern year and get matched up. You also have a separate resident family with a PGY1, PGY2, and PGY3.
What is your residency culture?
We have each others’ backs! Seniors assist and give away procedures to interns. We joke around… A lot. With attendings on shift too. Diversity is big at our program (ethnicity/race, hobbies, gender orientation, marital status, age, religion or lack thereof, etc.) including with our ancillary staff.
How to Apply
Wellstar Kennestone EM Residency now accepts applications exclusively through ResidencyCAS, we are no longer participating in ERAS. Applications open October 1, 2025. Early submission by that date is strongly encouraged due to high volume. Interview invitations will begin releasing 2–3 weeks later.
We will be using a hybrid model for interview days. We will have six in-person interview days, as well as 11 virtual interview days. In-person interviews will be held on the following Mondays: 11/3/25, 11/10/25, 11/17/25, 12/1/25, 12/8/25, and 12/15/25. A pre-interview day social event will be held on the evenings before each in-person interview day to meet with our current residents. Virtual interviewees will have the choice of different dates to participate in virtual meet-and-greets with the residents. Participation in the social events is not required. In-person interviews will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, with sign-up done through ResidencyCas just as virtual interviews are scheduled. Typically, you will interview with the PD, a resident, and a faculty member.
Why are you offering in-person and virtual interviews?
We are offering in-person interviews for our Emergency Medicine residency program because we believe that witnessing our ED, residents, and faculty firsthand provides invaluable insight for applicants. As one of the largest and busiest emergency departments in the country (the 7th busiest by volume), applicants should be given the opportunity to see our incredible main training facility. Additionally, Marietta, GA is a great place to visit and live, with downtown Atlanta only 20 minutes away. We do recognize that financial and time constraints may make travel challenging for some applicants and ensure that virtual and in-person interview days provide equitable experiences, information, and opportunity for engagement to all applicants. The choice of interview format will NOT affect an applicant’s chances of matching with our program. All applicants who interview are welcome to attend an optional in-person “second look” visit if they believe it would help them better understand our program and community. Second look visits are neither required nor expected.