Welcome Letter

A Message From Our Program Director

Leon Melnitsky DO, FACEP Program Director

Dear Prospective Candidates,

Welcome to the Memorial Healthcare System Emergency Medicine Residency Program. We are honored by your consideration of our esteemed three-year program, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of exceptional Emergency Physicians.

At Memorial Healthcare System, we take immense pride in offering a comprehensive and innovative curriculum meticulously designed to develop top-tier clinicians and leaders in Emergency Medicine. Our program provides a blend of rigorous clinical training and personalized mentorship, ensuring our residents are exceptionally well-prepared to deliver the highest quality and most compassionate care to patients in any Emergency Department.

Our residents benefit from exposure to a uniquely diverse patient population and a high-acuity/high-volume clinical environment. Through our cutting-edge simulation program, advanced ultrasound training, and comprehensive Pediatric Emergency Medicine curriculum, you will have the opportunity to refine your skills and develop expertise in various subspecialties. Our emphasis on interdisciplinary communication and collaboration ensures you are well-equipped to work seamlessly with other specialties, thereby enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Currently, residents may join the following educational tracks:

Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Led by our extraordinary PEM fellowship-trained physician leaders, Dr. David Hooke and Dr. Jheanelle McKay.

Research: Dr. Eric Boccio, a fellowship-trained researcher and fantastic mentor, offers an array of sophisticated and clinically relevant research opportunities.

EMS/Disaster Medicine: Dr. Sandra Lopez, an EMS fellowship-trained physician with a passion for EMS, provides hands-on experience in disaster medicine in hurricane-prone South Florida.

Administration and Operations: Aspiring leaders in Emergency Medicine can join this track, championed by core faculty including:

• Dr. Donny Perez, Medical Director at Memorial Hospital South,
• Dr. Steven Katz, Medical Director of Memorial Hospital West Emergency Department,
• Dr. Randy Katz, Chief of Emergency Services at Memorial Healthcare System,
• Dr. Marie Murphy, fellowship-trained in Administration and Operations, contributing actively to the resident administrative track education.

Critical Care: Led by Dr. Lara Goldstein, Critical Care Director of Emergency Medicine, this track offers exceptional mentorship and education in critical care.

Ultrasound: Dr. Brian Kohen, a fellowship-trained expert, leads this track with intense devotion and passion for ultrasound education.

Medical Education: Residents interested in medical education will be mentored directly by the Program Director, who is pursuing a Master in Education in the Health Professions from Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Education.

We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community where residents can thrive both professionally and personally. Our program emphasizes wellness and resilience, providing resources and support to help balance the demands of residency training with well-being. A healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term success and satisfaction in your medical career.

Having been part of the Memorial Healthcare System for over 16 years, I can attest to the invaluable experience and profound appreciation for our institution. My family and I are proud patients of Memorial, underscoring our commitment to the community we serve.

As one of the founding core faculty members of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program, I have witnessed firsthand the growth and evolution of our program. Our unparalleled Level 1 Trauma Center at Memorial Regional Hospital and the renowned Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, offer exceptional training opportunities, exposing residents to a wide range of cases and enabling them to develop the skills necessary to excel in any clinical environment.Memorial Healthcare System is a public healthcare system committed to the well-being of our community. We serve as a safety net, providing essential healthcare services to all members of our society, regardless of their ability to pay. Our dedication to community service and public health is at the heart of everything we do. Moreover, Memorial is a specialty referral center, providing advanced medical care and expertise to patients referred from across the region.
We are highly committed to resident feedback and pride ourselves on our flexibility and ability to adjust based on that feedback. This ensures our program remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of our residents, fostering an environment of curiosity, continuous improvement, and excellence. Our goal is to be leaders in medical education and to train emergency medicine physicians who thrive in fast-paced, high-volume, and high-acuity environments.

What truly distinguishes Memorial Healthcare System is our unique culture of collegiality and unwavering commitment to quality and patient care. This culture has earned us a national reputation for excellence. Our team-oriented approach and dedication to the highest standards of medical practice create an environment where both staff and patients feel valued and supported.

The diversity and excellence of our clinical training sites truly distinguish our residency program:

Memorial Regional Hospital and Trauma Center: As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Memorial Regional provides an unparalleled trauma training experience. Our residents are immersed in a high-volume, high-acuity environment where they encounter a broad spectrum of emergency cases, from routine to highly complex adult medical and trauma resuscitations. With an annual patient volume of over 86,000 adult patients, this setting offers a robust and comprehensive learning experience, enabling residents to develop the critical skills necessary for managing severe and life-threatening conditions.

Memorial Hospital West: This site represents a high-acuity, bustling community hospital environment with an annual patient volume of close to 100,000 (adults and children). Here, residents encounter a wide variety of medical emergencies, honing their skills in a fast-paced setting that mirrors real-world community healthcare. The hospital’s commitment to excellence in patient care ensures a rigorous and rewarding training experience.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital: Renowned for its specialization in pediatric care, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital serves as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. With an annual patient volume of over 72,800 children, residents gain invaluable experience managing critical pediatric cases and are fully supported by a team of experts in pediatric emergency medicine. This exposure equips our learners with the skills needed to provide top-tier care to our youngest and most vulnerable patients.

These diverse training arenas provide our MHS EM residents with a comprehensive education, preparing them to excel in any clinical setting and to meet the challenges of Emergency Medicine with confidence and expertise.

We believe the crucial aspect of your training happens at the bedside of our patients. To complement and build upon your extraordinary bedside experience, you will participate in fully protected and innovative didactic sessions every Wednesday. Once per month, you will attend a didactic conference dedicated to Pediatric Emergency Medicine, followed by a simulation experience at the PEM sim lab.

Our highly interactive and case-based didactic environment is full of innovative techniques designed to promote active learning. You will have access to procedural skills stations with our own task trainers and weekly collaborative and interactive case-based learning modules.

MHS EM faculty and leadership are committed to the MHS EM resident family beyond the classroom. We offer job placement and career development mentorship, mock job interview sessions, and resume building. Our extensive and growing network of Emergency Departments provides a unique opportunity for select residents to join our team as colleagues and stay in South Florida post-residency. 

In addition to your clinical training, you will have the opportunity to live in South Florida, a region known for its vibrant lifestyle. Miami's proximity offers a wealth of cultural experiences, and the nearby idyllic beaches provide a perfect setting for relaxation and recreation. South Florida's dynamic environment ensures a stimulating and enriching experience both inside and outside the hospital.

At Memorial, you will find a unique culture of continuous learning and improvement. We encourage our residents to engage in research, quality improvement initiatives, and leadership development opportunities. Our graduates are well-rounded and versatile clinicians who go on to become leaders in emergency medicine and beyond.

We invite you to explore our program further. We seek enthusiastic and empathetic applicants with a passion for innovation. Our ideal candidate has an insatiable thirst for professional growth, a flexible mindset with a sense of adventure, an unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, and a palpable passion for actively contributing to our training program. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or to arrange a visit. We look forward to welcoming you to our residency family.

Warmest regards,

Leon Melnitsky DO, FACEP
Office: (954) 844-4446
lmelnitsky@mhs.net