Train in a setting unlike almost any other in the country!
Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is a 288-bed tertiary care center located in Sayre, PA. Our Emergency Medicine Residency is based in the region’s only rural Level I Trauma Center, providing medical students and residents with the unique opportunity to care for critically ill and injured patients from a large rural catchment area that spans 10,000 square miles across 13 counties in North-Central/Northeastern Pennsylvania and South-Central/Southern Tier New York.
Medical student rotations are designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to emergency medicine and consist of supervised clinical shifts in the emergency department, participation in resident didactic conferences, and a dedicated EMS ride-along experience to gain firsthand insight into prehospital emergency care.
Students rotating with our program gain meaningful hands-on experience from day one through dedicated procedural training in our suturing, airway, and simulation sessions. These immersive educational experiences complement direct patient care in a high-acuity emergency department, allowing learners to develop the clinical skills, procedural confidence, and decision-making abilities essential for a successful career in emergency medicine.
Whether managing complex trauma, medical emergencies, or underserved rural health needs, students experience a diverse and challenging clinical environment supported by passionate faculty committed to teaching and mentorship.
If you are interested in rotating in our department, our 2026-2027 rotation schedule is listed below. If you need alternate times, accommodations can be made. Please contact the Clerkship Director, Scott Mueller (Scott.Mueller@guthrie.org) with any questions about the rotation.
Student housing is available for the rotation. Email our Student Coordinator, Ann Andrada (Ann.Andrada@guthrie.org) for additional information about housing accommodations.
FAQs
What is the length of the Emergency Medicine program?
This is a three-year training program.
What is the typical Emergency Department shift length?
You can expect on average to have a 10-hour shift to be engaged with the learning environment. Shift length and expectations can change based on the training year.
Do letters of recommendations have to be from Emergency Medicine physicians and in the CORD SLOE format?
We preferentially utilize the SLOE system which is the community standard. We will consider letters of recommendation from other sources and review other factors in reviewing an applicant
Does the EM Residency Program use a minimum USMLE/COMLEX Score?
We do not have a minimum score but use a wholistic evaluation in our selection process which includes standardized tests.
What is the clinical admission rate?
The clinical admission rate is approaching 30%
What will my daily commute look like?
Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is lucky to be surrounded by an area with no traffic but an abundance of green grass, beautiful flowers, and tall trees. Valley residences are within a five-minute drive and free parking is available right next to campus. Most local housing options are within walking distance as well.
Am I allowed to moonlight?
Moonlighting is allowed to qualified residents at the discretion of the Program Director.
How is my ED shift performance evaluated?
Shift performance is evaluated by the attending physician and presented on a shift card for direct feedback.
Where will my ED shifts take place?
ED shifts are done primarily at Robert Packer Hospital however there are opportunities to rotate at the newly built Corning Hospital.