Residency Program

Welcome to the University of Virginia Emergency Medicine Residency, a three-year program committed to training well-rounded emergency physicians who will excel in their medical careers.  At the University of Virginia, our goal is to introduce residents to a broad range of educational opportunities allowing them to explore and develop career paths according to their clinical interests.

The University of Virginia provides a location where there are immense practice opportunities.  As a Level 1 trauma center and tertiary referral center, the University allows access to extraordinary pathology. As an emergency department located in the heart of Charlottesville, residents experience typical cases consistent with everyday practice, as well as rare, complex presentations.  Our patient population is both socioeconomically and culturally diverse. A cutting edge emergency ultrasound program, state-of-the-art simulation center, and international opportunities are just some of the possibilities residents can discover during their time at UVA.  With nationally recognized educators, residents have access to a multitude of regional and national academic opportunities.

Our residents are well prepared to pursue community practice or academic medicine.  To allow freedom in their pursuit of education, residents have the opportunity to develop specialized training in their area of interest with our unique “track” system.  This system allows residents to hone their skills in an area of interest before entering community practice or pursue an avenue that leads to a fellowship or academic career.

From art and music to collegiate sports the Charlottesville community and the University of Virginia offers a mix of appealing extracurricular activities.  Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville offers ample opportunity for outdoor recreation.  Our residents work hard and play hard, building lasting relationships that continue throughout their careers.

We hope you can see why we have made UVA our home. Feel free to email or call so we can share our experiences with you.

L-R: Aileen Watchko, Dr. Chris Thom, Dr. Amita Sudhir, Dr. Heather Lounsbury, and Dr. Josh Easter.

Amita Sudhir, MD – Residency Program Director

Amita Sudhir is a graduate of this residency program (2007) and also completed a fellowship in medical education. Originally from India, she attended college at Swarthmore College and medical school at the University of Virginia. Her interests in emergency medicine include procedural education, global health, and writing about medicine for the general public. Her interests outside medicine include travel, skiing, gardening, reading, and food. She has two children and 2 dogs (Pasha and Snowy).

Heather Lounsbury, MD – Assistant Residency Program Director

Heather Lounsbury is also a graduate of this residency program and completed a fellowship in medical education. Originally from Arizona, she attended undergrad at Creighton University and then medical school at University of Arizona. Her interests in emergency medicine include medical education, teaching with chalk talks, and cardiovascular medicine research. Her interests outside medicine include travel (she aims to reach every continent soon), reading, and vegan cooking. She has 3 children, 3 dogs (Bear, Panda, and Dobson), and a cat.

Christopher Thom, MD, RDMS – Assistant Residency Program Director

Chris Thom completed his residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and ultrasound fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University. Originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, he attended college at the University of Virginia. His interests in emergency medicine include ultrasound (he is also our department’s ultrasound director and fellowship director) and medicolegal considerations. His interests outside medicine include hang gliding and restoring his Jeep. He has two children and a dog (Blue).

Josh Easter, MD, MS – Assistant Residency Program Director

Josh Easter completed his residency at Harvard (Beth Israel Deaconness) and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Boston. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, he attended college at Williams College and medical school at Duke University. His interests in emergency medicine include medical education and pediatric head trauma. His interests outside medicine include swimming outdoors. He has three children.

Aileen Watchko, MA – Emergency Medicine Medical Education Administrator

Aileen Watchko is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a masters degrees in Medical Anthropology from George Mason University. Born in Seoul, she has lived in Panama and Spain and calls Virginia home. She is an active participant in CORD’s EMARC committee and currently heads up the GMEC committee at UVA. Her interests outside work include travel, food, and event planning. She has two children and a pet rock (Gabby).