Message from the chiefs

Welcome to the UVA Emergency Medicine Residency Program!  We’re glad you’ve taken the time to learn a bit about the program.  The three of us have certainly loved our time training here in Charlottesville and we’re confident you will be able to see why.

Guided by a nationally recognized faculty and serving a patient population well-balanced between the uninsured indigent and the complex, tertiary referrals, we as residents are offered an opportunity to not only become strong emergency physicians, but to become excellent leaders prepared to practice at any hospital in the country.  With a high patient-to-resident ratio and an even higher patient acuity level, we believe that the experience we obtain as residents during our time at UVA is truly second to none.

The training we receive at UVA is not the only highlight of the program.  As residents across the country would attest, the location in which you spend your residency can have a huge impact on your overall experience.  We are proud to say our experience in Charlottesville has been a fantastic one.  From its vibrant music scene to its rich historical background, the city of Charlottesville is far from just a ‘college town’.  Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has something for everyone, offering a wide array of activities to help you stay busy on your days off.  Whether it’s hiking a portion of the Appalachian trail, floating down the James River, biking through the Shenandoah National Park, or visiting one of the many surrounding restaurants, breweries, or wineries, there is never a lack of things to do with your free time here.  Hopefully though, you won’t need to take our word for it and will come join us!  We encourage you to experience Charlottesville yourself and see why we love to call this place our home!

Thank you again for checking out the website and learning a bit more about the program.  If you have any questions or want any additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact us or any one of  the other residents (see current residents page).  We’d all be happy to help!

Erin, Vanessa and Jackson
Chief Residents: 2023-2024
UVA Emergency Medicine

Meet the Leadership Team

  • Joshua Easter

    Program Director

  • Heather Lounsbury

    Assistant Program Director

  • Jakob Ottenhoff

    Assistant Program Director

  • Nardos Makonnen

    Assistant Program Director

  • Winston Wu

    Interim Assistant Program Director

  • Aileen Watchko

    Program Coordinator