Research & Advancement Program for Innovation & Discovery in Emergency Medicine (RAPID-EM) Fellowship

This SAEM-approved fellowship leverages MCW’s strong research infrastructure and internationally recognized faculty expertise to develop prospective fellows’ research aptitude through coursework, hands-on research experiences, and tailored mentorship.

Why Choose a Fellowship in Research?

The two-year Research & Advancement Program for Innovation & Discovery in Emergency Medicine (RAPID-EM) research fellowship program targets the scholarly development of emergency medicine residency-trained clinicians aspiring to careers in extramurally supported clinical and/or health sciences research.

Through a combination of didactic and experiential learning, along with dedicated mentorship, fellows will be equipped with the essential knowledge, skills, networks, and aptitude for scholarship-oriented careers.

Cultivate a focused area of research scholarship for each fellow, ensuring that they develop a distinct academic niche.
Equip fellows with the essential skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to navigate the complexities of a research-focused career.
Facilitate a successful transition into an academic faculty role, providing the foundation for sustainable scholarly contributions.

Funding is provided by the Department of Emergency Medicine including salary support, CME, travel funds, and master’s degree tuition

RAPID-EM Fellowship Requirements

Earn a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Science at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Produce at least two peer-reviewed publications (one as first author).
Submit a competitive extramural grant proposal of at least $100,000.

Fellows will have protected time for projects and professional development while working as an attending faculty in our system emergency departments with potential moonlighting opportunities available based on academic progress.

RAPID-EM Fellowship Tracks

The RAPID-EM Fellowship offers four distinct tracks, allowing fellows to tailor their training toward specialized areas of emergency medicine research and policy that align with their career interests and goals.

Track 1: Population and Community Health

This track focuses on identifying disparities in emergency medicine–related healthcare and developing interventions related to social determinants of health and community settings.

Track 2: Out-of-Hospital Research

This track concentrates on prehospital emergency care, resuscitation science, and EMS systems.

Track 3: Veteran and VA Health Systems Research

This track focuses on health services research within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, including VA ER data extraction and analysis.

Track 4: Bioethics and Health Care Policy Research

This track examines ethical, legal, and policy issues in emergency medicine, assessing how regulation impacts patient care and exploring strategies to navigate complex systems.

RAPID-EM Fellowship Lecture and Didactic Information

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Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Science (MSCTS)

Offered through CTSI at MCW and equips healthcare professionals and researchers with essential skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, research ethics, grant writing, study design, and data analysis.
The MSCTS degree provides foundational training across the full spectrum of translational science (T0–T5) and essential knowledge of research methods and the U.S. healthcare system.
The two-year program includes a capstone thesis component, allowing fellows to integrate their ongoing research projects.

Learn more about the MSCTS Program

Fellowship Curriculum Instructional Areas

In addition to the Master's program, the fellow will join the cohort of Emergency Medicine fellows to engage in learning of the following topics:

Focus within EM Research
Hypothesis Generation
Research Design
Data Collection Methods
Data Monitoring & Analysis
Data Analysis
Presentation of Research
Manuscript Preparation, Submission and Revision
Grant Preparation, Submission and Revision
Project Management
Ethical Aspects of Medical Research
Regulatory Requirements
Data and Informatics
Teaching Best Practices
Conducting High Impact Meetings
Medical and Nursing Director Leadership Relationship
Change Management and Process Improvement

Mentor-Guided Training

In concert with their dedicated research mentor and mentorship team, the fellow will have dedicated experiential learning opportunities in the following:

Identification of Area of Focus within Emergency Care Research
Fellows work with mentors to define a research focus aligned with pressing issues in emergency medicine within their selected Track. They conduct systematic literature reviews to identify gaps and formulate novel research questions.

Manuscript Preparation, Submission, and Revision
Each fellow authors at least two full-length peer-reviewed manuscripts (one as first author) by program completion. Workshops and mentorship provide guidance on drafting, responding to peer reviews, and navigating the submission process.

Presentation of Research
Fellows prepare and deliver scientific presentations at institutional research forums, national conferences (SAEM, ACEP), and other academic venues.

Project Management
Training focuses on time management, budgeting, and leadership skills essential for managing multi-faceted research projects. Fellows oversee research staff, coordinate multi-site studies, and manage grant-funded projects under mentorship.

Teaching Skills & Career Development
Opportunities to mentor medical students, residents, PhD students, and DrPH students in research projects. Workshops cover academic career pathways, networking, leadership, and work-life balance specific to physician-scientists.

RAPID-EM Fellowship Application Process

All applicants must be medical school graduates (MD or DO degree) and have completed an ACGME-accredited primary residency program. A Wisconsin medical license (full or in-training) and current DEA certification are also required prior to the start date.

Interested applicants should submit the following to _emfellowships@mcw.edu:

Current CV
Personal statement with Letter of Intent
Two Letters of Recommendation – one from a program director and one that speaks to your research and scholarship background and potential

Timeline

Applications are accepted from September – December. Initial interviews are virtual with the Director and Associate Director, followed by in-person interviews for the applicants who progress.

The RAPID-EM Fellowship begins on July 1.

Training Sites & Facilities

Clinical Emergency Department shifts: 24 clinical hours per week (e.g. 3 x 8-hour shifts)

Froedtert Hospital

Academic Medical Center
Level 1 Adult Trauma Center
Comprehensive Stroke, Cancer, Cardiovascular Center
Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 89,000

Visit

Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Emergency Department

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 33,000

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Froedtert West Bend Hospital Emergency Department

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 23,000

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Froedtert Community Hospital – Mequon

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 3,000

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Froedtert Community Hospital – New Berlin

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 12,000

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Froedtert Community Hospital – Oak Creek

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 6,000

Visit

Froedtert Community Hospital – Pewaukee

Annual Emergency Department patient volume: 10,000

Visit

Reasons to live in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why MCW residents and fellows take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

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Meet Our Team

Aasim I. Padela, MD, MSc, FACEP

Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship; Director, RAPID-EM Fellowship Program

Zeno Franco, PhD

Associate Professor; Director, Research and Education, Emergency Medicine; Associate Director, RAPID-EM Fellowship Program

Tom P. Aufderheide, MD, MS, FACEP, FACC, FAHA

Professor; Director, Resuscitation Research Center; PCIR Director, CTSI Southeast WI

Michael Fendrich, PhD

Professor

Stephen Hargarten, MD, MPH

Professor

Ben Weston, MD, MPH, FAEMS

Associate Professor, Division of EMS Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine; Chief Health Policy Advisor, Milwaukee County; Chief Medical Director, Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management

Nicole Fumo, MPH

Research Program Director

Janice Hinze

Education Program Coordinator III

Erin Walcheske

Unit Education Manager

Contact Us

Questions? We would love to hear from you.

Mailing Address/Physical Location
Department of Emergency Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin
Hub for Collaborative Medicine
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Fellowship Coordinator
Janice Hinze
_emfellowships@mcw.edu

Administrative Office
(414) 955-6450
(414) 955-0082 (fax)

Medical College of Wisconsin Google map location