Department of Emergency Medicine

About the Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine specialists in the Emergency Department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) provide immediate care for patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week for all types of conditions, from common and life-threatening medical illnesses to traumatic injuries.

Our Emergency Department is staffed by highly skilled emergency medicine physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants and residents who work in teams to ensure expert and efficient patient care. They collaborate with radiologists, critical care physicians, burn and trauma surgeons, and other medical and surgical specialists throughout BWH. Our emergency medicine physicians care for more than 60,000 patients each year.

Under the direction of Michael J. VanRooyen, MD, MPH, chair of Emergency Medicine, our team of emergency medicine physicians have years of experience in emergency care settings and many have advanced training in subspecialty areas.

As a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, we prepare the next generation of emergency medicine physicians through our Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency and our numerous emergency medicine fellowships.

Why Our Emergency Services are Among the Best in the Region

  • Full-range of services from common urgent care needs to serious critical care emergencies.
  • Board-certified emergency medicine physicians on staff day and night.
  • Team-focused emergency care with nurses, physicians, physician assistants and residents assigned to each patient.
  • Collaboration with subspecialties throughout BWH.
  • State-of-the-art emergency room equipped with the latest technology.
  • Level 1 Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons.
  • Burn Center verified by the American Burn Association.
  • Helipad for patients transported by helicopter.
  • Observation unit for patients requiring extended care.
  • Designated stroke and heart attack center.
  • Families services: interpreters, social workers, chaplains, financial counselors and more.
  • Dedicated to research that improves patient care and safety in the emergency settings.
  • Renowned residency and fellowship programs teach and train physicians in emergency medicine.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


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About BWH