Emergency Medicine

Our Emergency Department is open 24/7 to provide expert care when you need it most. Our team is trained in emergency medicine and equipped to treat adults and children with all types of injuries and illnesses.
Emergency Department Locations

Emergency care at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital means that everything needed to combat a sudden illness or injury is available in one place that's designed, equipped and staffed to support patients of all ages and clinical conditions.

Staff in our Department of Emergency Medicine are trained for all aspects of emergency treatment, including specialization in pediatric emergency care.

Emergency Notice

Please call 911 or seek emergency care for severe shortness of breath, allergic reactions, bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes, sudden and/or severe pain, head injuries, seizures, poisoning, major injuries or broken bones, coughing or vomiting blood, suicidal or homicidal feelings, fainting or signs of a heart attack or stroke, fever of 100.4 or higher in an infant younger than 3 months, active labor or for any other condition that results in acute symptoms requiring immediate attention from a health care provider.

Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at UI Hospitals & Clinics and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital provides care for the most critically ill children and adults in a patient and family-centered atmosphere. In its present facilities, newly built in 2008, the department handles emergency cases from throughout Iowa and surrounding states. The multidisciplinary service works closely with the medical and surgical departments at UI Hospitals & Clinics and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital to optimize the care and outcomes of patients young and old.

Pediatric Emergency Department

Children aren’t just little grownups when it comes to emergency medical care. University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital offers eastern Iowa’s only board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists and the state’s only Level 1 trauma center for both children and adults. That means trained experts are on hand 24–7 to help kids with serious illnesses or injuries, backed by UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital’s more than 200 pediatric specialists in dozens of medical fields. As part of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Pediatric Emergency Department embraces the philosophy of family-centered care. In fact, our pediatric emergency care was ranked fifth in the country by Parent’s magazine in a 2009 survey. Along with expert care, the emergency department healthcare team is committed to service and to the comfort of you and your family.

Emergency Department Wait Times

Below are the estimated average wait times visitors to the Emergency Department have experienced in the last hour, three-hour, and six-hour time frames. Here are some things to know:

  • If your medical condition is deemed to be life threatening, you will be seen immediately
  • You will be screened quickly, even if the wait times below appear long.
  • Please note, these are averages, and may not be your experience. Your wait may vary based on medical condition and rapidly changing conditions within the department.
  • "Wait time" is defined as the time from arrival in the Emergency Department to when you will be placed in an Emergency Department exam room. Afternoon and evening hours are generally busier and more likely to require a longer wait. We will do our best to see you as soon as possible.
  • Not sure if you need emergency care? We have other options to be seen right away! You can review the difference between UI QuickCare, UI Urgent Care, and emergency care.
Patient TypeLast HourLast 3 HoursLast 6 Hours
Adult3 hours 37 minutes 2 hours 56 minutes 2 hours 37 minutes
Pediatric10 minutes 8 minutes 8 minutes

Our Department and Facilities Include:

  • 35 private rooms including:
    • Dedicated rooms for:
      • Pediatric patients
      • Major trauma and medical resuscitations
      • Behavioral health emergencies
    • Special room for:
      • Dental emergencies
      • Ear emergencies
      • Eye emergencies

  • Anesthesia 
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Orthopedics
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry

  • Highest level designated by the American College of Surgeons 
  • Verified as a Resource Trauma Care facility by the Iowa Department of Public Health
  • Experienced emergency nurses supported by clerical staff, nursing assistants, paramedics, and social workers
  • Crisis Stabilization Unit facilitates prompt care for psychiatric emergencies in comfortable home-like environment
  • Home to the UI Chest Pain Center for prompt evaluation, treatment, and counseling for patients with chest pain
  • Host facility and medical control base for the Johnson County Ambulance Service
  • Only Emergency Medicine residency in the state of Iowa
  • Staffed primarily by board-certified emergency physicians and board-certified pediatric specialists

Additional Resources From the Emergency Medicine Department

EMSLRC

Our Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center offers certification courses and refresher training.

AirCare

The Department of Emergency Medicine at UI Hospitals & Clinics provides emergency medical care and transport for the critically ill and injured in central and eastern Iowa. AirCare, our helicopter aircraft ambulances, also can serve in extended areas, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Our Academic Department

We are committed to clinical and academic excellence as well dedicated to the constant improvement of emergency care in Iowa through research and outreach.

Why Choose Us?

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is the state's acknowledged leader in emergency care. We have the state's only Level I trauma center for adult and pediatric care. Our Emergency Department is the only emergency room in eastern Iowa to staff board-certified pediatric specialists.

  • We receive more than 1,070 patients transferred by helicopter between in a typical year.
  • We care for nearly 50,000 Emergency-Trauma Center visits in an average year.
  • The trauma team, administered by the Department of Surgery, includes six trauma surgeons, four of whom are also critical-care specialists. In addition, multiply injured patients receive care from specialists in many areas including but not limited to orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, anesthesia, radiology and the Emergency Department.
  • The Emergency Department uses Air Care, which is the only flight program in the state affiliated with an emergency medicine residency program and is the only flight program in the state supplementing their medical crew with flight physicians.
  • AirCare collaborates with 100 emergency medical services, fire and law enforcement programs throughout Iowa and the region

Our Care Team

Agustin Aguilar, MD portrait

Agustin
Aguilar
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Azeemuddin Ahmed, MD, MBA portrait

Azeemuddin
Ahmed
MD, MBA

  • Emergency Medicine
Olivia Bailey, MD portrait

Olivia
Bailey
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Gregory R. Bell, MD portrait

Gregory R.
Bell
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Marielle Brenner, MD portrait

Marielle
Brenner
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Carlyn M. Christensen-Szalanski, MD portrait

Carlyn M.
Christensen-Szalanski
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Marina Del Rios, MD portrait

Marina
Del Rios
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Shannon Findlay, MD portrait

Shannon
Findlay
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Pete Georgakakos, DO portrait

Pete
Georgakakos
DO

  • Emergency Medicine
Mark Graber, MD, MSHCE, FACEP portrait

Mark
Graber
MD, MSHCE, FACEP

  • Emergency Medicine
Christopher Hogrefe, MD portrait

Christopher
Hogrefe
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Hans R. House, MD portrait

Hans R.
House
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Charles Jennissen, MD portrait

Charles
Jennissen
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Dana King, MD portrait

Dana
King
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Sangil Lee, MD, MS portrait

Sangil
Lee
MD, MS

  • Emergency Medicine
Dan McCabe, MD portrait

Dan
McCabe
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Sarah Miller, MD portrait

Sarah
Miller
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Matthew Negaard, MD portrait

Matthew
Negaard
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Andrew Nugent, MD portrait

Andrew
Nugent
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Brooks Obr, MD portrait

Brooks
Obr
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Bobby Peters, MD portrait

Bobby
Peters
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Kaila Pomeranz, DO portrait

Kaila
Pomeranz
DO

  • Emergency Medicine
Joshua Radke, MD portrait

Joshua
Radke
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Daniel Runde, MD portrait

Daniel
Runde
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Tameem Shoukih, MD portrait

Tameem
Shoukih
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Matthew Spragg, DO portrait

Matthew
Spragg
DO

  • Emergency Medicine
Sven Steen, MD, EMT-T portrait

Sven
Steen
MD, EMT-T

  • Emergency Medicine
Michael Takacs, MD portrait

Michael
Takacs
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
David Talan, MD portrait

David
Talan
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Carly Theiler, MD portrait

Carly
Theiler
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Timothy W. Thomsen, MD portrait

Timothy W.
Thomsen
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.79 out of 5 (444 ratings)
Joshua DiGennaro Trebach, MD portrait

Joshua DiGennaro
Trebach
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Thang Truong, MD portrait

Thang
Truong
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Paul Van Heukelom, MD portrait

Paul
Van Heukelom
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Jon Van Heukelom, MD portrait

Jon
Van Heukelom
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Terese Whipple, MD portrait

Terese
Whipple
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Angela Wild, MD portrait

Angela
Wild
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Bryan Z. Wilson, MD portrait

Bryan Z.
Wilson
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
Cory Wittrock, MD portrait

Cory
Wittrock
MD

  • Emergency Medicine

Joel K. Bricker, MD portrait

Joel K.
Bricker
MD

  • Psychiatry
  • Emergency Medicine
Gerard Clancy, MD portrait

Gerard
Clancy
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Psychiatry
Alexander W. Thompson, MD, MBA, MPH portrait

Alexander W.
Thompson
MD, MBA, MPH

  • Psychiatry
  • Emergency Medicine

Nicholas M. Mohr, MD portrait

Nicholas M.
Mohr
MD

  • Anesthesia
  • Emergency Medicine
Jonathan Simmons, DO portrait

Jonathan
Simmons
DO

  • Anesthesia
  • Emergency Medicine

Daniel Miller, MD portrait

Daniel
Miller
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Supportive and Palliative Care

Alysia Horcher, PA-C portrait

Alysia
Horcher
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
Christian Junker, PA-C portrait

Christian
Junker
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
Jeremy Nelson, PA-C portrait

Jeremy
Nelson
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
Amber Sheeley, PA-C portrait

Amber
Sheeley
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
Nathaniel Shekem, PA-C portrait

Nathaniel
Shekem
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
Rachel Walsh, PA-C portrait

Rachel
Walsh
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
David Walz, PA-C portrait

David
Walz
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
MW

Michele
Whaylen
PA-C

  • Emergency Medicine
4.60 out of 5 (271 ratings)

AV

Amy
Vahrenwald
ARNP

  • Emergency Medicine

Brett Faine, PharmD, MS portrait

Brett
Faine
PharmD, MS

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pharmacy
Have questions regarding our care team?
You can call our integrated call center for general inquires. Do not call if you are experiencing an emergency. Please call 911 or seek emergency care.

Locations and Offices

Emergency Department

1 Roy J. Carver Pavillion (RCP)
Level 1, Elevator E
1-319-356-2233
Emergency Room
In University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Related Health Topics

Browse More
Frostbite
May 19, 2022
Know if you've been affected by frostbite. Many times people don’t know they’ve been frostbitten until they come in from the cold.
Carbon monoxide: Knowing the answer to these six questions could save your life
May 18, 2022
In a typical year, nearly 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning, usually in their own home or car. Many of those deaths happen during the w...

Patient Stories

From near-fatal accident to life as a college student
September 24, 2021
Maggie McQuillen suffered massive head trauma in an automobile accident, requiring lengthy surgery and facial reconstruction at UI Hospitals & Clinics...
Steve Hayes: A second—and third—chance at life
September 4, 2020
Steve Hayes knows he wouldn’t be alive today if not for two quick-thinking co-workers and dozens of caregivers.

Related News

Browse More
Bivalent COVID-19 booster provides significant protection, especially for older adults
January 9, 2023
Early findings from a study measuring the effectiveness of the bivalent booster show the shot provides this group of adults with significant protectio...
UI Health Care helps lead CDC-funded study on effectiveness of vaccines, boosters in next phase of pandemic
December 19, 2022

Support Groups

Stepping On: Fall Prevention Class

Please join us for Stepping On, a seven-week workshop series to learn important exercises and strategies to help prevent falls.

Building Confidence and Reducing Falls

What is Stepping On?

Stepping On is a program that has been researched and proven to reduce falls in older people.

It consists of a workshop that meets for two hours a week for seven weeks. Workshops are led by two trained Stepping On professionals who partner to provide participants with a quality adult learning environment. In addition, local guest experts provide information on exercise, vision, safety, and medications. 

Fall prevention topics include:

  • Simple and fun balance and strength training
  • The role vision plays in keeping your balance
  • How medications can contribute to falls
  • Ways to keep from falling when out in your community
  • What to look for in safe footwear
  • How to eliminate falls hazards from your home

Why should I be concerned about falling?

Falling is very common; it can result in injury and shake your confidence. The threat of falling can be a barrier to safely doing all the things you want to do at home and in the community. That’s why preventing falls is critical to maintaining independence.

Fall injury statistics

  • More than one-third of people age 65 or older fall each year
  • Falls are the leading cause of hospitalizations due to injury among older adults
  • 35 percent of people who fall become less active
  • 40 percent of people who enter a nursing home had a fall in the prior 30 days

What Stepping On workshop participants had to say:

“When I’m walking I still think, ‘Lift your feet, walk heel-to-toe’. I have stopped falling outside! It has made me more aware of the way I walk.”

“Not only did we learn some things about preventing falls, but we had a good time doing it. It was really fun.” 

Is this fall and injury prevention workshop for you? 

Stepping On is designed specifically for anyone who:

  • Is 65 or older
  • Has had a fall in the past year or is fearful of falling
  • Lives at home
  • Does not have dementia

Print our brochure

How do I register?

Stepping On is a seven-week, two hours per week, interdisciplinary workshop that covers fall prevention topics such as home safety, vision care, medications, safe footwear, community safety, and exercise. The exercises are aimed at increasing strength and balance. Stepping On has been shown to decrease falls by 31% in older adults.

The next Stepping On class runs March 23–May 4 from 9-11 a.m.

Register now

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is an eight-week class series that meets one hour twice per week for a total of 16 class sessions. Modified tai chi programs reduce falls in older adults up to 49%.

Upcoming classes include:

April 24–June 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
 Register now for April-June series

June 7–Aug. 4 from 9-10 a.m.
 Register now for June-Aug. series

July 10–Aug. 31 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
 Register now for July-Aug. series