Denver Health Emergency Medicine Is There When It Matters Most

No one plans a trip to the emergency department. These situations arise without warning. A sudden injury, a frightening symptom, a crisis that sends an ordinary day on a detour.

Every day, Denver Health teams care for people facing some of the most serious and uncertain experiences of their lives. These teams meet each patient with urgency, skill, and compassion.

This work includes the emergency department, trauma and urgent care, and paramedic response across Denver. Together, they form a strong, connected network, ensuring people receive the care they need during critical times.

Care in Critical Moments

Emergency medicine is one of the most visible ways Denver Health serves as Denver’s essential health system, from the Denver Health Paramedic Division (DHPD) ambulances and EMTs on city streets to care provided at our Winter Park Medical Center, as well as news reports highlighting Denver Health’s skilled response to high-profile events.

Emergency patients and families are experiencing fear, pain, and uncertainty. At Denver Health, they find a team trained to act with focus and calm. Physicians, nurses, paramedics, and many others work side by side to make fast decisions, provide treatment, and guide patients through difficult circumstances.

The most important aspect of emergency medicine is its promise to care for every person who needs help, no matter the circumstance. This work is grounded in preparation, teamwork, and the simple act of showing up for people at their most vulnerable.

“Emergency medicine shows what Denver Health does every day for this community,” said Sean VanBerschot, Executive Director of Denver Health Foundation. “It reflects a nationally recognized program that brings together expert care, outstanding training, and a deep commitment to caring for people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

Support through Denver Health Foundation is a powerful way to strengthen emergency medicine at Denver Health. Donor generosity helps sustain the people, training, tools, and programs that deliver this vital care today. This support also helps Denver Health prepare for the urgent needs of the future.

Celebrating 50 Years of Denver Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency

One way Denver Health shapes that future is through its emergency medicine residency. This essential program celebrates its 50th anniversary in April 2026.

As Colorado’s only emergency medicine residency, this program trains new physicians, grounded in real-world patient care. In a setting where no two days are exactly alike, residents learn how to care for a wide range of patients and situations. They also build the judgment, skill, and resilience their work requires.

This half-century milestone reflects decades of service, learning, and leadership. It is also a reminder: Emergency medicine at Denver Health is, at its core, about responding in the present moment. But it is also preparing future leaders to ensure Denver can count on expert care for years to come.

“The specialty of emergency medicine was shaped right here at Denver Health, which runs the nation’s best emergency medicine residencies,” said Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Chief Education Officer at Denver Health. “It’s one of the first, so they have trained generations of leaders while providing lifesaving care every day and night.”

Why Supporting Emergency Medicine at Denver Health Matters

At the center of it all is a simple and powerful commitment: to be there when people need help most. For patients and families facing a crisis, that care makes all the difference. With support from donors and partners, Denver Health can continue to strengthen emergency medicine for Denver today and into the future.

The specialty of emergency medicine was shaped right here at Denver Health, which runs the nation’s best emergency medicine residencies.

Dr. Abraham Nussbaum

Chief Education Officer, Denver Health

Denver Health Emergency Medicine Is There When It Matters Most

In this Story:

Care in Critical Moments

Celebrating 50 Years of Denver Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency

Why Supporting Emergency Medicine at Denver Health Matters

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