Welcome!
Residency is one of the most formative experiences of an individual’s medical career, and we are excited that you are considering Washington University Department of Anesthesiology for this important next step. At WashU, you will not only have an unparalleled clinical experience, but also develop your skills as a perioperative leader and educator.
Washington University Medical Center, which includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, is a tertiary referral center covering a multi-state area. As residents, we see patients who have traveled nationally and internationally to receive highly sub-specialized care. During your training here, you will work with these patients not only in the operating room, but continue to follow them as they recover in the intensive care unit, and eventually see some of them in our pain management clinics. Our department’s ability to provide patient care in these various settings truly exemplifies the far-reaching potential of anesthesiology and will provide the basis for you to become a well-rounded anesthesiologist.
As categorical residents, you will spend your first year working with national leaders in internal medicine, general surgery, and emergency medicine. You will work with many of our anesthesiology critical care faculty in the surgical ICU and cardiothoracic ICU, taking care of post-operative patients with newly placed LVADs, ECMO, and other mechanical cardiopulmonary support. The knowledge and skills you will gain during your intern year will provide you with a robust understanding of pre-operative considerations and optimization, and begin to provide insight into the post-operative implications of perioperative decision making.
With these rotations, interns establish meaningful connections that last throughout residency and beyond. While you are not practicing anesthesiology, you are very much a part of the department and are provided with a faculty mentor based on your clinical interest. Monthly social events provide a great opportunity to catch up with your co-interns and form connections with senior residents, all while exploring the new city you will call home for four years.
As you transition to clinical anesthesiology, your time in the operating room will begin with a tutorial period that includes a dedicated didactic series and robust clinical simulations. During these weeks, our CA-1 residents work closely with a co-resident and a faculty member to build foundational anesthesia knowledge and skills. Our mentors pride themselves in their approachability, from junior faculty to department chairs. A unique aspect of our training program is the early exposure to subspecialty training following the tutorial period. While this can be daunting at first, you are well supported by faculty and senior residents to safely help build your skills and confidence. This early exposure proves vital in the decision to apply for a fellowship during your CA-2 year. For those with greater interest in perioperative leadership or education, new specialized tracks for CA-3 residents allow tailored training to support your career goals.
Throughout your training at WashU, you will be challenged to care for a diverse patient population with every conceivable medical condition. During your CA-1 year, you will be exposed to every type of solid organ transplant, life-threatening polytrauma, innovative interventional pain procedures, and neonatal anesthesia. By the time you reach your CA-3 year, you will not only feel comfortable managing these highly complex patients, but you will also be in the position to teach your junior residents how to as well.
Washington University provides you the opportunity to become a multifaceted anesthesiologist who can provide equitable and effective care to all patients. We are excited to meet you and talk more about our program. The training and relationships made here are invaluable, both for your personal and professional growth. If you train here, you can thrive anywhere.
Warm wishes,
Mark Hanak, MD
Manjaap S. Sidhu, MD
Patricia Strutz, MD
Chief Residents, Department of Anesthesiology
Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis