The Department of Anesthesiology at Loma Linda University was established in order to advance medical knowledge in the operating room. Since then, the practice of anesthesiology has evolved to incorporate the perioperative arena as well. This encompasses preoperative assessment, OR management, intensive care, and postoperative care, including pain management. Our goal is to prepare our residents to achieve competence in all aspects of anesthesiology by training each resident to become a consultant anesthesiologist.

While at present we offer only an advanced (three-year) program, we are in the process of transitioning to an integrated (four-year) program. Possibility exists that there may be several four-year slots available for July 2009.  Check back frequently or call us for updates on this exciting development.

About the Program

The clinical anesthesia curriculum is divided into three areas (basic, specialty, and advanced clinical), which essentially follow the three years of the training process.

• CA-1: The first year of clinical training features instruction in basic anesthetic techniques. This training is intended to emphasize fundamental aspects of anesthesia care.

• CA-2: The second year of clinical training is comprised mostly of subspecialty rotations in anesthesiology. The rotations include obstetric, pediatric, cardiothoracic, regional, neuroanesthesia, recovery room care, intensive care, and pain management (acute and chronic).

• CA-3: The third year of clinical training consists of one of three tracks: advanced clinical, additional subspecialty, and the clinical scientist. The resident, in cooperation with the program director, will choose which track they will pursue.

  The advanced clinical track consists of at least six months in which one may further develop skills in complex anesthetic management.

  The additional subspecialty track is composed of smaller blocks of time in which a resident may choose specific areas of interest upon which to concentrate. Residents who opt for this rotation spend time becoming more proficient in one or more subspecialty areas (e.g., obstetrics, regional, cardiothoracic, etc.).

  The clinical scientist track affords a research opportunity for interested residents. In addition to working on clinical projects during the CA-1 and CA-2 years, an opportunity exists for a six month clinical scientist rotation. During this time residents will develop, with faculty guidance, a clinical or basic science research project. Upon completion it will be presented at the Western Anesthesia Residents Conference (WARC) and, when possible, will also be presented at national anesthesiology meetings and submitted to an anesthesiology journal.

Fellowships

The Department of Anesthesiology offers fellowships in critical care, pediatric anesthesia, and cardiothoracic anesthesia. A pain management fellowship is also offered through the Center for Pain Management.

Conferences/Education

Formal resident education consists of the following: two hours of didactic lecture each week (these are based upon the content outline prepared by the American Board of Anesthesiology); departmental grand rounds held each Wednesday; weekly subspecialty conferences in pediatric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, intensive care (biweekly), and pain management; an introductory lecture series for entering anesthesiology residents; board review sessions each spring; simulation education including basic introductory sessions for CA-1s in July; and a monthly journal club.

Application

Applications to the anesthesiology program for the March 2009 match will be accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We will be matching for CA-1 (PGY-2) positions (and possibly some CB (PGY-1) positions - see above). The deadline for application is Friday, November 7, 2008. See more information on the application process. If you have any additional questions please call Cari Stephens, our Residency Coordinator, by one of the methods below.

Department of Anesthesiology
Loma Linda University Medical Center
11234 Anderson Street, Room 2534
Loma Linda, California 92354
Phone: (909) 558-4015
Fax: (909) 558-0214
Email: cstephens@llu.edu

We appreciate your interest in our department and encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have. Feel free to peruse our web site and check back often as we are once again in the process of a major web site reconstruction!

Gary R. Stier, MD, Program Director
John Lenart, MD, Associate Program Director

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