Program Director's Welcome

Welcome to the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Emergency Medicine Residency where our motto is “Ex traditione, exellentia”, Latin for “from tradition, excellence”. Established in 1973, we are proud to have one of the oldest EM residency programs in the country.

The mission of our residency program is to cultivate compassionate and competent emergency medicine specialists through a comprehensive training program that focuses on the development of strong clinical skills, teamwork, and evidence-based medicine. The mission of our primary teaching site, University Health-Truman medical center is to provide accessible, state-of-the-art quality healthcare to our community regardless of the ability to pay.

University Health-Truman Medical Center (UH-TMC) has served Kansas City since the 1870s when it was General Hospital. General Hospital was Kansas City's first hospital. UH-TMC is a busy urban safety-net, Level 1 Trauma center and serves a diverse patient population. It is truly Kansas City’s essential hospital. Our residents gain outstanding pediatric EM training at nationally renowned Children’s Mercy Hospital. In short, our residents are prepared to work and excel in any setting post-graduation; from high-volume trauma centers to rural sites, from academic to community settings.

The strengths of our program lie in the robust clinical experience, particularly in Pediatrics, Critical Care, and Trauma, as well as the active involvement of our residents in curricular and departmental decisions, and our innovative didactics. As one of the oldest programs in the country, we offer the benefit of a long-standing tradition and reputation for excellence in training and teaching, and equipping our trainees with a strong foundation necessary to lead in any environment.

One of our program’s greatest assets—and what truly fosters long-term commitment from both residents and faculty—is our people. The sense of community, support, and shared purpose among faculty and residents is what makes our program exceptional. We attract residents and faculty who are bright, driven, and full of energy—individuals who are not only clinically strong but also deeply committed to serving underserved populations and advancing medical education. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share a common passion for making a meaningful impact and embody the friendly, down-to-earth spirit often associated with the Midwest. Together, they form a close-knit, supportive community that thrives on collaboration, curiosity, and compassion—both inside and outside the hospital.

Our faculty are deeply committed to EM residency education, with many holding leadership positions at both the local and national level. Our team includes many fellowship-trained experts as well as a dedicated Ph.D. Research Director and three full-time Research Coordinators. We’re also proud to offer an SAEM-approved Medical Education Fellowship which further enriches our academic environment and is a reflection of our strong commitment to teaching.

Features of our program often of interest to our EM applicants include: wellness, street medicine, and addiction medicine electives, and regular opportunities for teaching. We feel strongly that teaching is one of the best ways to learn and improve leadership skills. Residents enjoy diverse teaching opportunities across a variety of settings, including during clinical teaching (swing) shifts, didactic sessions, and simulation. Many of our residents appreciate the flexibility of our moonlighting policy, which allows eligible residents to begin moonlighting in the second half of their PGY-2 year.

We believe that open, honest dialogue is fundamental to a thriving learning environment—and to the success of our residency. Feedback is not only essential for resident growth, but resident feedback is essential to our program’s growth. We foster a culture where all voices are heard and valued, knowing that meaningful change happens when diverse perspectives are welcomed.

We take a comprehensive approach to feedback, offering frequent, actionable input through electronic shift evaluations, ED block summaries, quarterly 1:1 meetings with program leadership, and mentorship from faculty advisors. Our residents play an active role in shaping our program—they serve on multiple departmental committees, and their insights routinely drive curricular improvements. Much of what defines our program today has been shaped by the thoughtful contributions of residents who came before.

Lastly, Kansas City is a special place to live; many say it is a big city with a small-town feel. I like to think that our residency program is similar. What sets UMKC and UH-TMC apart is not just the clinical experience, but the people—residents and faculty who are deeply committed to our patients, to each other, and to the shared mission of service and education. The teamwork, compassion, and dedication I witness every day continue to inspire and humble me.

There are many excellent ACGME-accredited EM programs where you can receive solid training. But here, we believe our patients, supportive culture, outstanding leadership and faculty, and deeply engaged resident community make this one of the best places to learn, grow, and thrive. We know you have many options and big decisions ahead—thank you for taking the time to learn about our program.

Emily Hillman M.D., MHPE
Associate Professor
EM Residency Program Director
Director Simulation Education UMKC School of Medicine

Amy Stubbs M.D.
Associate Professor
EM Senior Associate Residency Program Director

Melanie Camejo M.D., MHPE
Assistant Professor
EM Associate Program Director
MedED Fellowship Program Director
EM Clerkship Director

Jim O’Brien M.D.
Assistant Professor
EM Assistant Program Director
EM Assistant Clerkship Director