My school doesn't have an associated EM Department, so I opted to do 2 rotations at Stanford.
My first rotation was at the end of my third year at Stanford's main ED in Palo Alto (academic setting). I set up the rotation to confirm my desire to enter the field. I was fortunate to be the only student rotating during the month (end of May/beginning of June), but there can be as many as 10 (?) students on the rotation at a time. Each student is expected to complete 12 8-hour shifts. Shifts are divided between the acute, non-acute, peds, and urgent care areas. ED volume was high with a variety of chief complaints. You present to the attendings directly (better for SLORs). I had plenty opportunities for procedures (4 lumbar punctures, 3 lac repairs, a few I&Ds, many pelvic exam, 1 central line, a few casts/splints). Ultrasound basics were heavily emphasized and incorporated into shifts/lectures because Stanford was trying to get the faculty certified in US. In addition, students were expected to attend weekly resident seminars and student lectures (mainly workshops). An EMS ride along and journal club were both optional. Besides shift evals, grades are also based on a post-rotation exam (just read the book) and post-rotation simulation lab. Dr. Williams spent 30+ minutes advising me about applying for Emergency Medicine (hugely beneficial). There are many well-known faculty to write SLORs. Overall, I left with a firm understanding of how to approach the most common cc (CP, SOB, Abd Pain, etc). I loved the rotation!
My second rotation (first audition) at Stanford was in August/September at the Santa Clara Kaiser Permanente (community). Students are expected to work 17 12-hour shifts. Kaiser filters the patients, so you won't see sore throats, coughs, etc. There is a limit of 1 student/month in order to maximize teaching. Typically 2 residents and 1 student are working each shift in different areas of the ED (the PGY2 works in the trauma/acute area while the PGY1 and student work in the non-acute areas). High volume, but less trauma. In fact, you don't see any trauma (due to the ED set up) unless you seek it out yourself. Students work one-on-one with attendings, who are all very excited to teach. Since you are working 12 hour shifts (and the attendings are doing 8s), you have opportunities to practice sign-outs every shift. If you put time in before the rotation writing templates, Health Connect can save a lot of time when writing notes. Kaiser has a procedure clinic for lacerations/splints, thus ED procedures are rare. My procedures included a few pelvics, 1 I&D, 1 arm lac, 1 facial lac (on a 3 year old!). Ultrasound wasn't emphasized as much, but they have plenty of new beautiful machines. Students are required to travel to Palo Alto for weekly resident seminars. Although not required, it is strongly encouraged to attend the weekly student lectures at Palo Alto (same as above) and post-rotation sim lab. Dr. Garmel spends extensive amounts of time advising each student...I probably spent >4 hours total talking to him. I wish I had met him earlier in my 3rd year because his advice was golden.
Stanford has a third option for rotations at Santa Clara Valley (county).
I ranked Stanford in the middle of my list. It would have been ranked much higher if I didn't have to work around my husband's career. I def recommend rotating through either Kaiser or Palo Alto.
