survival flight helicopter landing on the helipad

Emergency Medicine 25th Anniversary

In 2026, the U-M Medical School Department of Emergency Medicine proudly celebrates 25+ years as an independent academic department.

While officially established in 1999, our story began decades earlier through the vision of pioneers who transformed emergency care, education, and research. Today, we celebrate the people, milestones and innovations that continue to define emergency care.

Looking Ahead
Celebrating 25 years University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine: Together, we define emergency care.
Celebrating 25 years of the U-M Medical School Department of Emergency Medicine—together, we define emergency care.

The story of the Department of Emergency Medicine is still being written.

As we look toward the next 25 years, our vision—Together, We Define Emergency Care—reflects what has always driven our work: improving emergency care through discovery, education, and exceptional patient care. The challenges we encounter at the bedside inspire new questions and discoveries, which shape how we educate the next generation and ultimately improve the care we provide.

Our vision for the future extends beyond the walls of the emergency department. From prehospital and global emergency medicine to emerging technologies and new models of care, we are continuing to explore where and how emergency medicine can make an impact.

Just as importantly, our future depends on our people. By investing in our faculty, staff, and trainees, embracing innovation and continuing to push the boundaries of discovery, we aim to make Michigan a destination for emergency medicine, and a place whose ideas, discoveries, and people help shape emergency care around the world.

Message from the Chair

My vision is for us to be a global destination for emergency medicine, where our discoveries drive patient care, our education develops the next generation of leaders, and people around the world look to us for what comes next

Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Prashant Mahajan

Our Story

The department's 25th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the people, milestones and innovations that have shaped emergency medicine at the U-M Medical School. Learn how the department was built, how it grew into a national leader, and how its research continues to transform emergency care. 

Share Your Memories

We invite faculty, staff, alumni and friends to submit photos and memories of their time with the department.

Share Your Story

Upcoming Events
9 19 2026 10:00 am 9 19 2026 - 7:00 pm

Emergency Medicine Football Tailgate - Celebrating 25+ Years
Celebrate 25 years of Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan with a tailgate on Saturday, September 19. This celebration is a chance to bring our Emergency Medicine community together for great food, drinks, and plenty of EM pride and Maize & Blue spirit.
10 22 2026 11:00 am 10 22 2026 - 2:00 pm

Emergency Medicine 25th Anniversary Town Hall
The department's 25th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the people, milestones and innovations that have shaped emergency medicine at the University of Michigan. Learn the history and the future vision of the department.

Our History

Emergency medicine has a rich history at U-M Medical School that predates the establishment of the Department of Emergency Medicine. This timeline highlights key milestones leading to and following the department's creation in 1999.

Emergency Services Opens
Emergency Services opens on the fourth floor of the Outpatient Building with five treatment rooms, marking the beginning of organized emergency care at the University of Michigan.
Medical team members moving a stretcher in the hospital Medical team members moving a stretcher in the hospital
A Section of Surgery
Emergency Services becomes a Section of the Department of Surgery, giving the growing clinical service a departmental home.
Richard Burney Richard Burney
Building the EMS System
Richard E. Burney, MD, is recruited to lead Emergency Services and begins developing a coordinated emergency medical services system for Washtenaw County.
First responders helping a patient on a stretcher First responders helping a patient on a stretcher
Dedicated Emergency Leadership
James R. Mackenzie, MD, becomes the first full-time Chief of Emergency Services, helping transform emergency care while strengthening education and research.
Physicians sitting at desk in the hospital unit Physicians sitting at desk in the hospital unit
Survival Flight Takes Off
Survival Flight launches as Michigan's first medical flight service, extending emergency care beyond the hospital and providing rapid transport for critically ill and injured patients.
Survival flight team with gurney and helicopter Survival flight team with gurney and helicopter
A New Home for Emergency Care
Emergency Services moves into the new University Hospital, providing a new home for the growing emergency care operation.
Aerial view of the medical campus Aerial view of the medical campus
Building an Academic Program
A consultant's report endorses establishing an Emergency Medicine residency program. The Department of Surgery begins laying the groundwork for an academic Emergency Medicine program and recruiting its future leader.
Stethoscope and binder that says Emergency Medicine Residency Program Stethoscope and binder that says Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Barsan Takes the Lead
William G. Barsan, MD, is recruited to lead the Section of Emergency Medicine and begins transforming the program, including recruiting residency-trained and board-certified emergency physicians.
Emergency Medicine Residency Launches
The U-M Medical School launches an Emergency Medicine residency in partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, establishing a new foundation for training emergency physicians at Michigan.
Black and white photo of Department of Surgery team members in a conference room Black and white photo of Department of Surgery team members in a conference room
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Expands
Pediatric Emergency Medicine joins the Section of Emergency Medicine and expands to provide emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Team members in room with medical equipment Team members in room with medical equipment
Expanding Beyond Ann Arbor
U-M Medical School Emergency Medicine begins staffing the emergency departments at Hurley Medical Center in Flint and Foote Memorial Hospital in Jackson, expanding its clinical, educational and research mission.
Hurley Medical Center building with trees Hurley Medical Center building with trees
Residency & Research Grow
The Emergency Medicine residency expands to four years, and the Injury Research Center—now the Injury Prevention Center—is established by the Section to advance research focused on reducing and preventing injury.
University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center graphic University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center graphic
A Department is Born
The U-M Medical School Department of Emergency Medicine is officially established as an independent academic department, with William G. Barsan, MD, serving as its inaugural chair.
survival flight helicopter landing on the helipad survival flight helicopter landing on the helipad
Leading Pediatric Emergency Research
Michigan becomes the lead institution for the Great Lakes Node of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), advancing collaborative research to improve emergency care for children.
PECARN graphic PECARN graphic
PEM Fellowship Established
The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship is established, expanding Michigan's role in training the next generation of physicians specializing in emergency care for children.
Medical team members using stethoscope for baby held by mother Medical team members using stethoscope for baby held by mother
Emergency Medicine Joins the Core Curriculum
Emergency Medicine becomes a required fourth-year rotation for University of Michigan medical students, making emergency care an integral part of the medical school curriculum.
Leading a National Research Network
Michigan is selected as the Clinical Coordinating Center for the NIH Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network, coordinating multicenter clinical trials focused on acute neurological emergencies. The network later evolves into SIREN.
#1 in NIH Funding
The U-M Medical School becomes the nation's No. 1 NIH-funded Department of Emergency Medicine, a distinction it would hold 10 times over the next 20 years.
Group of medical trainees in white coats sitting in an auditorium Group of medical trainees in white coats sitting in an auditorium
Emergency Medicine Goes Global
The department begins its international emergency medicine partnership in Ghana, working to establish the first Emergency Medicine residency in West Africa and strengthen emergency care training.
Map showing Ghana Map showing Ghana
Expanding Emergency Care at the VA
University of Michigan Emergency Medicine physicians begin providing emergency care at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, extending the department’s clinical mission to serve Veterans.
Department of VA Seal with bald eagle and American flags Department of VA Seal with bald eagle and American flags
Neumar Named Chair
Robert W. Neumar, MD, PhD, becomes Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, succeeding founding chair William G. Barsan, MD.
Robert Neumar, MD, PhD Robert Neumar, MD, PhD
Critical Care Research Expands
The Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care (MCIRCC) begins operations, bringing together experts from across disciplines to advance critical care research and innovation. It later becomes the Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation.
Critical Care Division Established
The Division of Critical Care is established, strengthening the department’s focus on caring for critically ill and injured patients and advancing emergency critical care at Michigan.
Medical professional using syringe with patient on gurney Medical professional using syringe with patient on gurney
Critical Care Fellowship Established
The Emergency Critical Care Fellowship welcomes its first fellows through two ACGME-approved training pathways—one through Internal Medicine and the other through Anesthesiology—expanding advanced critical care training for emergency physicians.
Medical professional helping patient breathe in hospital Medical professional helping patient breathe in hospital
EC3 Opens
The Emergency Critical Care Center (EC3) opens, creating a new model for delivering early, intensive care to critically ill and injured emergency patients.
MEDIC Is Established
The Michigan Emergency Department Improvement Collaborative (MEDIC) is established with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, bringing emergency departments together to improve the quality, safety and value of emergency care across the state.
Ultrasound Fellowship Established
The Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography Fellowship is established, providing advanced training in point-of-care ultrasound and preparing fellows for leadership in ultrasound education and program development.
Sign saying "Joyce and Dan Massey Family Foundation Emergency Critical Care Center" Sign saying "Joyce and Dan Massey Family Foundation Emergency Critical Care Center"
Barsan Research Forum Established
The Barsan Emergency Research Forum is established as an annual celebration of the department's research and scholarly activities.
Group of people in a conference room listening to a speaker Group of people in a conference room listening to a speaker
Medical Education Fellowship Established
The Medical Education Fellowship is established, providing advanced training in clinical teaching, simulation, curriculum development, leadership and medical education research.
Medical trainees listening to instructor Medical trainees listening to instructor
EMS Fellowship Established
The ACGME-accredited Emergency Medical Services Fellowship is established, providing advanced training in prehospital medicine and EMS medical direction.
Two emergency services personnel standing in front of an emergency vehicle Two emergency services personnel standing in front of an emergency vehicle
2022 — Ultrasound Division Established
The Division of Emergency Medicine Ultrasound is formally established, building on years of collaboration through the Ultrasound Faculty Group and strengthening the department’s leadership in point-of-care ultrasound, education, and innovation.
Tech using a handheld ultrasound wand on a patient Tech using a handheld ultrasound wand on a patient
Division of EMS Established
The Division of EMS and Prehospital Medicine is formally established, strengthening the department's leadership in prehospital emergency care, education and EMS systems.
Team standing by vehicle with helicopter and ambulance in background Team standing by vehicle with helicopter and ambulance in background
Mahajan Named Chair
Prashant Mahajan, MD, MPH, MBA, becomes Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, leading the department into its next era of emergency care, education and research.
Prashant Mahajan, MD, MPH, MBA standing at podium Prashant Mahajan, MD, MPH, MBA standing at podium
Clinical Informatics Division Established
The Division of Clinical Informatics is established, bringing together emergency medicine and data science to advance the use of information and technology in emergency care.
Medical personnel at desk using computer and phone Medical personnel at desk using computer and phone
Celebrating 25 Years
The Department of Emergency Medicine celebrates the 25th anniversary of becoming an independent academic department, recognizing the people, milestones and innovations that shaped its history while looking toward the future of emergency care.
Celebrating 25 years University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine: Together, we define emergency care. Celebrating 25 years University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine: Together, we define emergency care.