McLaren Residency & Fellowship Programs

Curriculum

Rotations

Didactics

Weekly didactics held every Wednesday morning from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM, dedicated to resident learning. During this time, additional attendings are assigned to cover the emergency department on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings, ensuring that all residents can attend without compromising patient care. This protected time allows residents to fully engage in lectures, case discussions, and hands-on learning, fostering academic growth and clinical excellence in a focused, supportive environment."

Multiple simulation Procedure Days are held throughout the year using live models, cadavers and task trainers. Residents gain experience in performing:

Central Venous Access
Chest Tubes
Open Thoracotomy
Cricothyrotomy
Dislocation Reductions
Lumbar Puncture (adult and infant)
Airway Management (direct and video-assisted)
Pericardiocentesis
Cardiac Pacing
Vaginal Deliveries

Designed to thoroughly prepare residents for their emergency medicine board exams. This comprehensive program includes academic coaching tailored to each resident’s needs, with personalized learning plans created to strengthen areas of improvement and reinforce core knowledge. Through structured review sessions (Study Club), practice exams, and one-on-one coaching, residents receive focused guidance to ensure success on the boards.

This conference for emergency medicine residents is a critical learning forum focused on improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. Through detailed case reviews and discussions, residents will apply root cause analysis to identify underlying factors that contributed to adverse outcomes. This process allows the team to uncover systemic issues and areas for improvement in patient care. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, the M&M conference supports continuous learning, enhances clinical decision-making, and ultimately strengthens the safety and quality of care delivered in the emergency department.

This series gives you the tools to be an effective educator of tomorrow by cultivating a scholarly approach to medical education while coaching your presentation skills. Over a 3-year curriculum you will learn and practice progressive levels of teaching responsibilities in the following areas: basic to advanced presentation skills, PICO questions, writing proper goals and objectives, writing board review question, implementation of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to patient safety concerns, and modern learning techniques such as gamifications and flipped classroom.

Our residency is part of the MSUCOM/SCS collaborative. MSUCOM/SCS provides monthly lectures by nationally-acclaimed presenters. MSUCOM/SCS also hosts ½ and full-day skills courses in:

Advanced Airway
Obstetrical Emergencies
Trauma Procedures
Slit Lamp
Burn Management
Advanced Ultrasound-Resuscitation
Advanced Ultrasound-Procedures
Active Shooter/Ballistics
Dental Emergencies
HAZMAT
Professional Safety

Residents with strong academic and clinical performance are invited to participate in one of the following scholarly tracks during their PGY-3 year. These tracks are designed to help residents develop a specialized focus in their education and research. Achieving mastery in any of these areas will not only enhance your professional portfolio but also improve your competitiveness for fellowships, advanced training, and employment opportunities. Participation in these tracks will foster expertise, support career development, and prepare residents for leadership roles in emergency medicine.

Advanced EMS
Medical Education
Simulation Medicine
Sports Medicine
Observation Medicine
More to come…

BoardVitals
PEERprep by ACEP
Rosh Review
Emergency Medicine Pre-test Self Assessment and Review 5th Edition
Emergency Medicine Q&A: Pearls of Wisdom 3rd Edition
Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine Examination and Board Review 9th Edition
Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Just the Facts 2nd Edition
Study Guide for Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies 11th Edition
Determinates of Healthy Learners: Individualized instruction in psychometrics, study strategies, and test-taking strategies
Access to Michigan State University's enormous catalog of medical resources

How to Apply

Application Method

Applicants should submit using the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS). This is the only avenue by which applications will be considered.

Eligibility Requirements

All applications must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Ability to carry out the duties as required of the residency program.
Proficient in the English language, to include reading printed and cursive English, writing (printing or typing) English text, understanding spoken English on conversational and medical topics, speaking English on conversational and medical topics as determined by the program director and/or selection committee.
Applicants must be graduates of medical school within the past 5 years from:
- A medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or,
- A college of osteopathic medicine in the United States, accredited by the (COCA); or,
- A medical school outside of the United States or Canada and must have a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to appointment
Accepted Foreign Schools: University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts

Required Documents for Application

A completed ERAS Application within the required timeline is required. An application for residency consists of the following:

The completed application forms
Physician reference letter
Reference from Dean of Medical School-MSPE
Medical School Transcripts
National Board Scores
CV
Personal Statement

Selection Process

The Residency program uses both objective and subjective criteria to select applicants. The Program Director and Selection Committee are responsible for selection and appointment of residents to the program. The application process meets all requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity and the Americans with Disability Acts and does not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran’s status.

Criteria for selection include:

Confirmation of eligibility requirements
Performance on standardized medical tests
Must have successfully passed the Level 1 and Level II licensing examination appropriate for the program (COMLEX-USA or USMLE). (See minimum score requirements above) in order to be ranked.
Overall academic performance in medical school
Recent clinical training or experience
Demonstrated ability to choose goals and complete the tasks necessary to achieve those goals
Maturity and emotional stability
Honesty, integrity and reliability
Professionalism, verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated interest and motivation to pursue a career in the specialty of Emergency Medicine

Interviews

Interviews will be held virtually only. Applicants meeting the selection criteria will be contacted for interviews by email. Interviews start in October.

An applicant invited for an interview should review and be familiar with the terms, conditions and benefits of appointment (and employment) including financial support, vacation, professional leave, parental leave, sick leave, professional liability insurance, hospital and health insurance, disability insurance, and other insurance benefits for the resident and their family, and conditions under which living quarters, meals and laundry or the equivalents are provided. This information will be provided to all interviewed candidates on the date of interview. Applicants can also access much of this information through the Resident Handbook at www.mclaren.org/oakland/gme.

The interview consists of approximately four hours with faculty members, the program coordinator, and resident representatives.

Licensure

All residents are required to have an appropriate training license consistent with state and local requirements during their training. Licenses will be held in the teaching site’s Department of Medical Education. Applicants that are not eligible to obtain a State of Michigan license cannot be considered for McLaren GME programs.

Oakland Resident & Fellow Salary/Benefits

Scholarly Activities

All residents complete a quality improvement and patient safety workshop taught by two faculty who are AAMC Teaching for Quality (Te4Q) instructors. Each resident then designs, implements, evaluates, and disseminates the results (publication or poster presentation) of their QI/PS project prior to graduation.

Program Scholarly Activity

Ghiardi M, Skidmore S, George C, Crise R, Santiago OJ. A Resident-Led Quality Improvement Project in a Community Based Hospital Emergency Department – The Benefits of Simplified Plan-Do-Study-Act/Patient-Safety Quality Improvement Projects Regardless of Staffing Levels. SMRJ. 2024;9(3). doi:10.51894/001c.123236
Ayman Alhadheri, MD, Ilana Tidus, DO, Christian Whittier, DO, Olga J. Santiago-Rivera, PhD, Nikolai Butki, DO, Martina Ghiardi, DO, Abdullah A.B. Bokhari, DO. (2024). Enhancing Patient Satisfaction in Emergency Medicine: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Press Ganey Scores Through Physician Education and Communication Strategies. Presented at the 2024 Statewide Campus System Poster Day, East Lansing, MI.
Yasmeen Basal DO, Maria Ruedisueli DO, Zainab Farooqui MD, Martina Ghiardi DO, Olga Santiago-Rivera pHD, Nikolai Butki DO, Ari Gotlib MD. (2024). Quality Initiative to Improve Emergency Department Sepsis Bundle Compliance Through Resident Education and Awareness. Presented at the 2024 McLaren Scholarly Activity Day, Flint, MI.
S. Kumar, DO; A. Khobier, MD; M. Sinha, MD; J. Mohan, DO. "Multi-disciplinary project to improve the process for initiating mechanical thrombectomy for deep vein thrombosis from the emergency department." Poster Presentation at Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Conference, May 18-20, 2023. S. Kumar presenter.
Kaitson S, Schroeder J, Sarna T, Minter D, Santiago-Rivera O, Butki N. “Improvement of Emergency Medicine Stroke Quality Metrics Using Educational Drills” Poster Presentation. MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Research Day. May 15, 2023. Novi, MI. Sarna presenter.
Alexander M, Sydney M, Gotlib A, Knuth M, Santiago-Rivera O, Butki N. "Improving Compliance with the CMS SEP-1 Sepsis Bundle at a Community-Based Teaching Hospital Emergency Department". Spartan Medical Research Journal. 2022; Vol 7, Issue 2. Sept, 2022 PMID: 36128029
McGuire D, Tacia R, Butki N. “The Impact of Creating an Orthopedic Order Set on the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Requirement for Measuring an Ethanol Level on Patients Requiring Hospital Admission for Isolated Orthopedic Injuries”. Poster Presentation. 2022 MSUCOM SCS Scholarly Activity Poster Day. May 18, 2022. East Lansing, MI. Tacia presenter.
N. Butki, DO. Textbook Chapter/Case Author: Remediation Case Studies: Helping Struggling Medical Learners, Editor: Jeannette Guerrasio, MD, Publisher: Association of Hospital Medical Education (AHME), Published: November 1, 2021
A.Butki, DO. Textbook Chapter Author: Chapter: Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheters, Emergent Vascular Access: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals, Editors: James H. Paxton, Publisher: Springer Cham, Published Sept 3, 2021
Butki N, Long J, Butki A, Corser W. “A Novel ‘Train the Trainer’ Emergency Medicine Resident Point-of-Care Ultrasound Course: A Feasibility Study”. Spartan Medical Research Journal. Vol 4. Issue 2. January 30, 2020.
Troiano I, Mitchell M, Schury M, Butki N. “Provider Driven Follow-up in a Chest Pain Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol: Round Two of the PDSA Cycle in a Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Project”. Spartan Medical Research Journal. Vol 4. Issue 2. January 30, 2020.
Wahl D, Butki A, Butki N, Wisniewski, SJ. “Ensuring Patient Safety in Emergency Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blocks, an Evaluation of a Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Initiative”. Spartan Medical Research Journal. Vol. 3, Issue 3, November, 2018.
Ginglen JG, Butki N. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jul 2. PMID: 30020729
Webley, J. “Team Approach to Compartment Syndrome” ACEPNow, The Break Room, 2019;38:12 pg4
Webley J. “Classic Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Case Report” JETem 2019. 4(4):V29-31.
Webley J. “Pro Ortho: Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” MCEP News and Views Vol XXXVIV No. July/August 2019
Webley J. “PRO ORTHO” MCEP News and Views Vol XXXVIV No. 2 March/April 2019
Nagabhushan M, Webley J. “Ripping the Myth: Patients’ Symptomatic Descriptions of Acute Thoracic Aortic Dissection” Spartan Medical Research Journal Vol.3 number 1 Summer 2018
Webley J. Simon’s EMERGENCY ORTHOPEDICS: Eighth Edition Contributing author Forearm chapter
Faisal AF, Bokhari AA. Microsporidium. [Updated 2018 Dec 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet].Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan-2018 Dec 28
Gupta A, Bokhari AA, Pillai AD, Crater AK, Gezelle J, Saggu G, Nasamu AS, Ganesan SM, Niles JC, Desai SA., “Complex nutrient channel phenotypes despite Mendelian inheritance in a Plasmodium falciparum genetic cross.” PLoS Pathog. 2020 Feb 18;16(2):e1008363. PMID: 32069335
Card RK, Bokhari AA. Floating Knee. [Updated 2019 Jan 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan
Furhad S, Bokhari AA. Herbal Supplements. [Updated 2019 Feb 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan
Furhad S, Bokhari AA. Trichinosis. [Updated 2019 Jan 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan
Puckett Y, Bokhari AA. Prednisone. [Updated 2018 Dec 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan [Updated April 22,2020]
Etengoff, Stuart, DO; Bokhari, Abdullah, A.B., DO, The Case Files: Complications of Ketamine Abuse, Emergency Medicine News: June 19, 2018 - Volume 40 - Issue 6B - p
Johnathan Kirupakaran, Abdullah A.B. Bokhari, DO, Mark Schury, DO, Keratoacanthoma Mimicking a Mosquito Bite: A Case Report. Poster and Oral Presentation presented at: Michigan Osteopathic Association 119th Annual Spring Scientific Convention, 2018 May 17-20; Southfield, MI
Imran Khan DO, Brian Tweddle DO, Abdullah A.B. Bokhari DO. An atypical presentation of a case of cerebral venous thrombosis with partial recanalization through mechanical thrombectomy. Abstract accepted at: 16th Annual AMA Research Symposium, 2018 Nov. 9; National Harbor, MD
Tereziu S, Minter DA. Pneumococcal Vaccine. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 29939571
Lala V, Minter DA. Liver Function Tests. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 2020 Feb 20. PMID: 29494096
Lala V, Minter DA. Acute Cystitis. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 2019 Nov 1. PMID: 29083726
George C, Minter DA. Hyperuricemia. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 2019 Jun 4. PMID: 29083565
Bunting L, Butki A, Sullivan A. “Ultrasound-Guided Radial Artery Compression to Assess Blood Pressure” West J Emerg Med 2017 Apr;18(3):502-508. PMID: 28435503
Lofgren D, McGuire D, Gotlib A. Frontal Sinus Fractures. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan. 2020 May 6 PMID: 32491451
Zygowiec J, Solomon S, Jaworski A, Bloome M, Gotlib A. “25C-NBOMe Ingestion” Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2017 Oct 3;1(4):295-297 PMID: 29849316
McGuire D, Gotlib A, King J. Capillary Refill Time. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan .PMID: 32491685

Teaching Faculty

Program Director

David Minter, DO, FACOI, FACOEP
Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Dr. Minter is a superb resource for physicians in training and a great model for life-long learning. Residency trained, board certified and currently practicing both emergency medicine and hospitalist internal medicine, he brings a wealth of knowledge gleaned from constant studying, his practice of emergency medicine, and from his hospitalist practice. He brings the inpatient point-of-view for many of the problems encountered in the emergency department.

The manual all the interns use to help them navigate their first year of practice in the hospital was written by him. (Literally, you will be given a copy of his latest book when you begin.) His specialty niche in the emergency medicine residency is providing a formative, interactive evidence-based medicine curriculum. He has published widely and has appeared as both speaker and panelist at local and regional emergency medicine meetings. Training and education are his calling cards.

Dr Minter also serves as an Associate Professor at MSUCOM.

Core Faculty

Martina M. Ghiardi, DO
Associate Program Director/Director of Research and QI/PS, Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Research is an ever-present problem in ascetic emergency medicine residencies. A graduate of the McLaren Oakland Emergency Medicine Residency and serving as chief resident, she has a gut-level sense of how difficult it is to conduct research when there are limited resources. In response, Dr. Ghiardi completed the AAMC Teaching for Quality (Te4Q) certificate program and currently serves as a Te4Q instructor. In as such, she innovated the research and scholarly activity efforts of the residency program to focus on pragmatic, simple quality improvement/patient safety projects that both promote an environment of scholarly activity and improve the day-to-day workings of the department.

Dr. Ghiardi received her medical degree from A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Abdullah Bokhari, DO
Core Faculty/Director of Assessment, Feedback, and Wellness, Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Residency is a trying time for every learner. To help you navigate personal and professional problems we have a director of assessment, feedback, and wellness. Dr. Bokhari is uniquely suited to this position. As an Imam and chaplain, he has helped worshipers with both their spiritual and worldly problems for many years. He is also specialty trained in educational psychometrics, identifying learning styles and study techniques to make residents maximally effective in the academic rigors of learning emergency medicine.

For our residents he offers advice and feedback that is pragmatic and based on real-world experiences. Approachable and a perpetual calming presence, there is very little he has not seen and done. Nowhere is there a better feedback and wellness director.

Dr. Bokhari received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Carrie Palazzolo, DO
Core Faculty/Clerkship Director Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Dr. Carrie Palazzolo is a passionate teacher in emergency medicine who believes diversity in healthcare is directly linked to improved patient-provider relationships and ultimately better outcomes medicine. Her love of teaching is reflected in her work with medical students as an Associate Professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Guiding students and watching them develop into outstanding physicians inspired her to take on the role of Clerkship Director at McLaren Oakland for the EM program. In this role, she aims to foster young aspiring doctors and bring more awareness to diversity medicine to strive for creating a well-rounded future generation of physicians in emergency medicine.

Dr. Carrie Palazzolo received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine then completed an emergency medicine residency program at McLaren Oakland where she also served as chief resident. She takes pride in teaching but also knows how to navigate life with a family as a female physician and mother. She has two children (and a dog) so in her free time she enjoys her family, especially up north on Lake Michigan.
David Eisenbrey, MD
Core Faculty/Director of Curriculum, Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Dr. David Eisenbrey comes to the residency positioned to continue the long tradition of producing graduates of superior quality. David is a Veteran and former pilot of the United States Air Force with over 2600 hours of flight experience as a commander and instructor pilot. With years of experience teaching aviation, safety and disaster planning in the military he is well accustomed to adult education. David comes to medicine as a second career giving him the unique perspective of a non-traditional medical school and residency graduate.

Dr. Eisenbrey received his undergraduate degree from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He completed his master’s degree in biology from University of St. Joseph in Connecticut and his medical degree from Oakland University-William Beaumont School of Medicine. He enjoys travel, cooking, board games and tabletop role playing games.
Robert Modes, DO
Core Faculty/Director of Ultrasound, Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Bedside ultrasound has become an essential tool for emergency medicine physicians. With a passion for advancing medical education and a commitment to fostering excellence in ultrasound training, Dr. Robert Modes is dedicated to preparing our residents to become proficient and confident in this vital diagnostic modality. Dr. Modes aims to empower our residents to feel confident using POCUS to deliver exceptional patient care through structured learning experiences, hands on teaching methods, and a focus on clinical application!

Dr. Modes graduated from the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a proud graduate from the emergency medicine residency program at McLaren Oakland where he served as the chief resident.

Teaching Faculty

Dan Wahl, DO, FACEP, EMT-P

Dr. Dan Wahl has a passion for process improvement and has been integral in making the ED more efficient. Over the last five years he has secured more than $1.2 million dollars in new equipment for the ED. He was also a key driver of McLaren Oakland becoming a Percutaneous Intervention (PCI) center in 2022. He has been a firefighter/paramedic for close to 20 years and still serves on a local fire department. He is also a certified SWAT Medic, graduating from the Macomb Criminal Justice Training Center. He is currently a Major in the United States Army and is in command of his unit, which is a Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team (FRST). He has been deployed with special forces in Afghanistan and is well-versed in trauma. Moreover, he has additional training in ultrasound from the New York School of Regional Anesthesia (NYSORA) and helped start the ED nerve block program here at McLaren Oakland.

Dr. Wahl is the current Director and Chair of the Emergency Medicine Department. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and completed his EM residency at McLaren Oakland. He is currently working on his Master of Healthcare Administration degree from MSU. He currently chairs or sits on multiple hospital committees with a focus on the future of the Emergency Department and McLaren Oakland.