Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for its sixth university-sponsored fellowship. The FAU Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fellowship will be based at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, as a member of the FAU College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium.

In addition to the FAU EMS Fellowship hospital partners, FAU has partnered with local emergency medical services and fire rescue agencies to provide fellows with varied experiences across multiple emergency medical service systems. Additional municipal fire rescue partnerships are expected to be finalized in the coming months, broadening the scope and reach of the fellowship’s prehospital training.

“Florida Atlantic University’s residency and fellowship training opportunities are not only expanding in number, but also in their ability to directly impact the health and well-being of our communities,” said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs of the Schmidt College of Medicine. “The new EMS Fellowship brings a vital layer of expertise to our training programs and underscores our commitment to producing highly skilled physicians who are equipped to lead in any clinical setting – whether in the hospital or out in the field.”

The overarching mission of the FAU GME Consortium is to address critical physician shortages and strengthen health care delivery across South Florida. By establishing high-quality residency and fellowship programs tailored to the needs of local communities, FAU ensures a steady pipeline of well-trained physicians committed to serving the region.

“This new fellowship is a prime example of how strong academic-hospital partnerships can address real community needs,” said Lincoln Mendez, north region executive for Baptist Health and chief executive officer for Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “By integrating advanced emergency medical training into our existing framework, we are not only expanding educational opportunities but also enhancing the delivery of care in critical, time-sensitive situations. It’s another step forward in our shared mission to improve health outcomes throughout the region.”

The new one-year FAU EMS Fellowship welcomed two fellows this month for its inaugural class. This program is now one of six FAU fellowship programs, including those in vascular surgery, cardiology, geriatric medicine, pulmonary critical care medicine, and hospice and palliative care. The fellowships complement the College of Medicine’s five existing residency programs: internal medicine (launched in 2014), general surgery (2016), emergency medicine (2017), psychiatry (2018) and neurology (2018). 

“The launch of this new fellowship represents a milestone for our Department of Emergency Medicine,” said Lisa Clayton, D.O., associate dean for graduate medical education and chair, FAU Department of Emergency Medicine within the Schmidt College of Medicine. “It’s emergency medicine’s first subspecialty program, and it broadens our academic mission while deepening our impact on emergency care. Our fellows will gain unparalleled experience across multiple EMS systems, preparing them to be leaders in a rapidly evolving field.”

As part of the program, fellows will respond to 911 emergencies in dedicated FAU/Baptist EMS vehicles, working alongside first responders in the field. They will play key roles in medical oversight, protocol development, paramedic and EMT training, and the operational management of EMS systems. In addition, fellows will serve as attending physicians in the health system’s emergency departments, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining clinical expertise. Their combined efforts will help improve patient outcomes starting from the moment of first contact, well before hospital arrival.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch this fellowship and to bring the expertise of our EMS physicians to train the next generation of leaders in prehospital medicine,” said Scott M. Alter, M.D., program director of the FAU EMS Fellowship, assistant dean for clinical research, and associate professor of emergency medicine. “By embedding our fellows directly within fire rescue agencies and emergency departments, we’re creating a dynamic learning environment that mirrors the real-world complexity of emergency care.”

The FAU EMS Fellowship also incorporates a robust research and public health component. Fellows will contribute to studies that advance emergency care and participate in community education efforts, including CPR training, emergency preparedness workshops and public health initiatives.

“This fellowship stands at the intersection of clinical excellence, community service and innovation,” said Clayton. “It allows us to prepare highly capable physicians who will play an essential role in shaping emergency medical care at both the local and national level.”

As the inaugural year begins with two fellows, the program aims to grow its footprint through future municipal partnerships and an expanded cohort in 2026. With accreditation in place and fellows ready to hit the streets of South Florida, FAU’s EMS Fellowship is poised to enhance the quality of emergency care throughout the region – and beyond.

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