Medical School: 2004 Baskent University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Residency: 2009 Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Current Role: Attending Anesthesiologist: Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain, WashU Medicine; Instructor in Anesthesiology
Research interests: General anesthesia, regional anesthesia, difficult airway management
1. Can you describe your overall experience in the International Program for Anesthesiology Specialists at WashU
My whole international faculty experience has been very satisfying since the beginning. I have found the opportunity of using my knowledge and skills everyday by providing anesthesia and regional analgesia in several different surgical departments. To me, working in an educational environment and being in interaction with fellows, residents, medical students and SRNAs all the time has been incredibly fulfilling as I am in love with learning and teaching. Our valued, respectful, and unselfish relationships within the department have also been priceless and very helpful to adjust quickly in the beginning.
2. How did the program help you grow professionally and personally?
Updated protocols with respect to recent guidelines help us to have common sense for different case managements and speak the same language.
Anesthesiology departmental grand rounds, subdivision fellow/resident training meetings (lectures, PBLDs, journal clubs), department-related professional development meetings, interactions, and good communication between all members of Anesthesiology enable knowledge and information exchange. Especially, professional, and personal development series in our department helped me to learn some important attitudes about providing good education with patience and refreshed my memory about how to be a good teacher once more. Right now, I am covering the Orthopedics and regional anesthesia resident education and evaluation during rotations.
I have already been involved in some international regional anesthesia societies and am taking active roles as a speaker and a workshop instructor. These meetings and workshops are very frequent during the year, and I have been not only supported for these but also my time is well arranged for me to attend them properly.
I can easily once more emphasize the importance of feeling the support and understanding of my department with all the roles I am taking.
3. Did the mentorship and support you received impact your career development? If so, how?
Mentorship helped a lot during the adjustment period and about the roles that I could take within the department. Additionally, I think professional and personal development series helped more for my career development.
4. Can you share a memorable moment or experience during your time in the program?
It is hard to mention only one moment. I could say that every time that I need some help and support professionally or socially, I have found it very easily. Different faculties are recommended, and they stepped up for different reasons. I like the harmony of our department.
5. Would you recommend the program to others? Why or why not?
I would highly recommend the program. Good and peaceful environment to work in, it is always great to be heard and valued.
6. How has your experience in the program influenced your approach to anesthesiology?
Our hospital and department are both huge with very busy schedules. In this case, I think it is very important that we work as a team and have several safety check points at different levels of our patient care. Now, this is undeniable part of my routine practice to time out, and also confirm what we are performing with a good communication.
The variety of surgical and remote cases improved my anesthesia practice. In addition, as the regional anesthesia/analgesia team we have found many more opportunities to be helpful to our patients in different ways with several block options. This not only satisfies our patients and surgical teams, but also provides advanced regional anesthesia rotation experience to our fellows and residents.