About
Quality emergency medical care doesn’t start at the front door of the hospital — it starts with us.
The Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides medical direction for first responder agencies in the Richmond area and comprehensive pre-hospital education for students, physicians and future leaders in the practice.
Faculty members within the division provide medical direction for the following agencies:
- Chesterfield County Fire and EMS
- Henrico County Division of Fire and EMS
- James City County Fire Department and EMS
- Richmond Ambulance Authority
- Richmond Volunteer Rescue Squad
- Virginia State Police Med-Flight
Education
EMS Fellowship
Created to produce leaders in the field of EMS, our one-year fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) provides training in all aspects of pre-hospital and out-of-hospital emergency care.
Fellows perform an average of 50 clinical hours per month at VCU Medical Center and receive appointment as clinical instructors in the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Resident Rotations
Emergency medicine residents are exposed to a multifaceted EMS system, ranging from annual bioterrorism and mass casualty training to suiting up with the med-flight team. Our specialized residency rotation includes hands-on experience with the event medicine team, paramedic and fire rescue agencies and LifeEvac 1, one of VCU Health’s medical helicopter bases.
During PGY-2 and PGY-3, residents with a special interest in EMS can participate in a longitudinal track, which reduces shift requirements and increases exposure to EMS education and experience.
Medical Students
The Department of Emergency Medicine offers a four-week clerkship for fourth-year medical students. The program includes a shift with the Richmond Ambulance Authority and student-directed education sessions based on their personal interests and career goals. Read more about the clerkship here. [link to EM clerkship page]
Medical students may also choose EMS as an elective rotation during their fourth year.
For more information about opportunities for students, email the department’s clerkship director, Nathan Lewis, MD.
Research
The Division of EMS conducts innovative, groundbreaking research that advances the field and contributes to improved patient care. We encourage all attending physicians, fellows, residents and medical students to engage in research projects and submit their findings for peer review.
Read more about our researchEvent Medicine
When you see VCU Health providers out in the community, they’re usually from the Department of Emergency Medicine.
We provide on-site medical services for events like NASCAR races, professional golf tournaments, the annual cycling event Cap2Cap along the Virginia Capital Trail and the VCU Health Richmond Marathon.
With expertise far beyond basic first aid, our providers ensure the safety and care of participants at large events using rolling modular carts stocked with the diagnostic equipment, monitors, bandages and other tools necessary for comprehensive critical care.
Critical Care Transport Network
Not just transport. Treatment.
We also provide medical direction for the Critical Care Transport Network. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Medical Transport Services, the network operates two air bases and transfers patients from accident scenes and other medical facilities to VCU Medical Center via helicopter and ground ambulance while providing advanced treatment en route.
Learn about the Critical Care Transport Network.Our Team
Harinder Dhindsa, MD, MPH, MBA
Professor and Chair
Harinder Dhindsa, MD, MPH, MBA
Professor and Chair
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Services Operations Chief
VCU Critical Care Transport Medical Director
Jeffrey Ferguson, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP
Associate Professor
Jeffrey Ferguson, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP
Associate Professor
Division of EMS
Emergency Medical Services Fellowship Director
Henrico County Division of Fire Operational Medical Director
Virginia State Police Med-Flight I Medical Director
Amir Louka, MD
Assistant Professor
Amir Louka, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of EMS
James City County Fire Department Operational Medical Director
M4 EMS Elective Course Director
Email: amira.louka@vcuhealth.org
Stephanie Louka, MD
Clinical Instructor
Stephen Miller, DO
Assistant Professor
Stephen Miller, DO
Assistant Professor
EM Residency Assistant Program Director
Medical Education Fellowship Director
Email: stephen.miller@vcuhealth.org
Joseph P. Ornato, MD, FACP, FACC, FACEP
Professor
Joseph P. Ornato, MD, FACP, FACC, FACEP
Professor
Deputy Director, Weil Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Research
Email: joe.ornato@vcuhealth.org
Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP
Associate Professor
Michael Vitto, DO, MS, RDMS, RDCS, FACEP
Associate Professor
Interim Director of Operations, Emergency Medicine
Assistant Director of Clinical Ultrasound
Associate Medical Director, Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety
Email: michael.vitto@vcuhealth.org
Allen Yee, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Assistant Professor
Allen Yee, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Assistant Professor
Division of EMS
Chesterfield County Fire and EMS Operational Medical Director
Email: alan.yee@vcuhealth.org