Contact and Application Information - Emergency Medicine Residency Program

We strongly believe that reviewing an applicant’s complete portfolio is the most effective way to recognize the individual strengths, experiences and perspectives that each person would bring to our program.

Our holistic review process helps ensure that applicants selected to interview have the best opportunity to find fulfillment, support and success within the Ochsner Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Applicants must have a passing score on either:

• USMLE Step 1
• COMLEX-USA Level 1

Applicants from osteopathic medical schools are not required to submit USMLE scores.

We strongly recommend that applicants with previous academic concerns or difficulty with Step 1 or Level 1 have a passing Step 2 CK or Level 2-CE score available at the time of application.

Applicants are encouraged to use the appropriate sections of the ResidencyCAS application to explain any significant or special circumstances that affected their academic progress.

We prefer two Standardized Letters of Evaluation from clinical Emergency Medicine rotations.

We will review applications containing only one SLOE, recognizing that some applicants may not have access to a second Emergency Medicine rotation or may not have a second SLOE available by October 1.

Three total letters of recommendation are required for application.

The Ochsner Emergency Medicine Residency Program supports eligible applicants requiring J-1 visa sponsorship.

We welcome applicants representing the fullest diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including applicants with differing abilities.

Ochsner will work to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with Ochsner Health policies and applicable requirements.

Additional policies governing eligibility and appointment to an Ochsner graduate medical education program are available through Ochsner’s GME eligibility and appointment policies.

Residency interviews will take place from November through December and will remain entirely virtual for the 2026-2027 recruitment season.

Although we would love for every applicant to meet us in person and tour the Ochsner Emergency Department, we do not believe that the benefit of requiring an in-person interview justifies the additional financial and logistical burden placed on medical students.

During interview day, each applicant will meet individually with:

• Program Director
• Assistant Program Director
• Faculty Member
• Chief Resident
• Senior Education Program Manager

Each conversation will be approximately 15 minutes.

Current residents will be available to answer questions and share their experiences.

Applicants will also be invited to attend virtual resident socials held on Tuesday evenings during interview season.

Optional in-person second-look opportunities will be offered on Fridays in February.

Second looks are intended to help applicants gain a better understanding of the residency program, the Ochsner Emergency Department and life in New Orleans.

Participation in a second look is entirely optional and will not affect an applicant’s position on the program’s rank list.