Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, UT Health Science Center Train Next Generation of Emergency Physicians to Serve Tennessee Communities

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is helping strengthen emergency care across Tennessee by training the next generation of emergency medicine physicians and placing many of them in rural and regional communities.

The Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford is now in its 11th year. The three year program trains 24 physicians at any given time, with eight residents graduating each year. Many of those graduates remain with Ascension Saint Thomas hospitals, where they help staff emergency departments across Middle Tennessee and surrounding rural communities.

"Training our own emergency physicians allows us to improve access to care in communities that need it most," said Tristin Casteel, director for Medical Education at Ascension Saint Thomas. "Many of our graduates choose to stay within our system and serve patients in some of our rural hospitals where access to board certified emergency physicians is especially important."

Last year, six of eight graduating residents joined Ascension Saint Thomas facilities. This year, five of eight graduates are expected to do the same. These physicians often serve in rural and smaller communities where patients frequently rely on emergency departments as a primary point of care.

Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital provides a strong training environment for residents. It is the busiest emergency department in the Ascension Saint Thomas market, giving physicians-in-training experience with a wide range of cases and patient needs. That hands-on experience helps prepare residents to practice in both urban and rural settings.

The residency program also reflects a growing collaboration between Ascension Saint Thomas and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Together, the organizations are expanding opportunities to train physicians locally and encourage them to remain in Tennessee after graduation.

The Emergency Medicine Residency Program is one of nine graduate medical education programs within Ascension Saint Thomas. Nearly 120 physicians currently train across the system, reinforcing the organization's commitment to developing the healthcare workforce and improving patient care across the region.

Leaders say the program could serve as a model for addressing physician shortages across Tennessee by training doctors locally and supporting them as they transition into practice in underserved areas.

"For patients, the impact is clear. More board certified emergency physicians practicing in community hospitals means improved access, stronger emergency care and better outcomes close to home," Casteel said.