Emergency Medicine Residency Program  
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola

Applicant Information Contact Us Message from Program Director

Mission

Train physicians who are deeply committed to service, particularly to the underserved communities of Northwest Florida and beyond. We aim to equip residents with cutting-edge skills in simulation, ultrasound, systems-based practice and research, enabling them to lead innovation within the specialty. Equally important, we foster a culture of well-being and community, ensuring that residents learn to care for themselves, their colleagues and their patients. Through this foundation, our graduates will emerge as leaders who advocate for patients, advance the field of emergency medicine and inspire meaningful change in health care systems.

Vision

To cultivate a new generation of emergency medicine physicians who embody service, innovation, wellbeing and leadership. Our vision is to prepare graduates who not only deliver exceptional care in every environment but also transform the practice of emergency medicine by leading with compassion, advancing innovative solutions and sustaining personal and professional wellbeing in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.

About the program

  • Program Format:Three-year categorical Emergency Medicine residency.
  • Positions Requested:45 (15 residents per class).
  • Start Date:July 1, 2026.
  • Curriculum:
    • Year 1–3: Fully based at Sacred Heart Pensacola (12 months per year at primary site).
    • Rotations: Adult EM, Pediatric EM, Trauma, EMS, ICU, Ultrasound, Admin/Leadership, Quality Improvement.
    • Longitudinal elements: Research, patient safety/QI projects, resident-as-teacher program.
  • Faculty-to-Resident Ratio:1:3 core faculty ratio (exceeds ACGME minimum).
  • Mission Alignment:Directly tied to FSU College of Medicine’s mission to serve Florida’s underserved populations and train socially accountable physicians.

Why choose us

  • Clinical Breadth:Train in a Level I Trauma Center with an adjacent Children’s Hospital, serving as the only comprehensive referral center in the Florida Panhandle.
  • High Acuity, Underserved Population:Diverse pathology and significant exposure to health disparities.
  • Faculty Excellence:15 core EM faculty including directors for simulation, ultrasound, pediatrics, research and well-being.
  • EMS Experience: Integrated rotations with Walton Air Rescue, Okaloosa MedFlight and AirHeart 2, with faculty serving as EMS medical directors.
  • Research Focus:Director of Research (Dr. Erica Warkus) coordinates structured scholarly activity, pairing residents with faculty mentors and guiding projects to publication.
  • Simulation Strength:Multiple faculty (Drs. Beard, Manhire) with years of simulation leadership, offering advanced procedural and crisis resource management training.
  • Well-being Commitment:Program-wide initiatives for resilience, anonymous reporting mechanisms, structured mentorship, protected well-being curriculum.
  • Career Flexibility: Graduates prepared for fellowships, academics, community practice, or leadership roles in operations, EMS, or advocacy.

Contact Us

Andrea Austin, M.D., MHPE

Program Director
Email: andrea.austin@vituity.com

Ashley Caudle

Program Coordinator Email: ashley.caudle@ascension.org

5151 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504

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