Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Fellowship

Overview

The ACCM Fellowship program at Cleveland Clinic began in 1985 under the leadership of Dr. John Lockrem and was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2001. 

The need for surgical critical care services at Cleveland Clinic has expanded dramatically over the past few decades, both on the main campus and at the regional hospitals. We care for highly complex, high acuity patients in our 30-bed surgical ICU (SICU) and 95-bed cardiothoracic and vascular ICU (CVICU). During their fellowship year with us, our fellows rotate through and gain experience and expertise in managing patients in the SICU, CVICU, MICU, Neuro ICU and community/regional hospital ICUs. The community ICU experience presents a unique clinical and educational opportunity to our fellows to recognize the differences between tertiary care centers and smaller community hospitals and learn optimal resource utilization. Cleveland Clinic has been a top-ranked hospital for Cardiac Care for over two decades, performing 5,000-6,000 cardiac surgical procedures every year. In addition, we perform over 200 liver transplants every year, as well as complex head and neck, urogenital, hepatobiliary and spine procedures. Our fellows gain extensive experience managing these complex patients in our ICUs, offering endless learning opportunities.

Our one-year ACGME accredited training program is among the largest and most successful ACCM fellowship programs in the United States, graduating 10 fellows each year. Thus far, over 155 fellows have graduated from the fellowship program, and we are proud to see several of our graduates lead educational programs, ICUs and ECMO programs across the country.

The goal of our fellowship program is to:

• Provide comprehensive clinical training in the care of critically ill patients
• Develop critical thinking skills applicable to any patient with single or multisystem organ failure
• Train the next generation of leaders in critical care medicine

Contact us

Brett Wakefield, MD
Program Director
Phone: 216.412.6609
Email: wakefib@ccf.org

Trisha McGinnis, DO
Associate Program Director
Phone: 216.441.6610
Email: mcginnt@ccf.org

Leeanne Stratton, MD
Associate Program Director
Phone: 216.445.6567
Email: strattl2@ccf.org

Nada Johnson, BA
Program Manager
Email: johnson1@ccf.org

Program Highlights

In addition to learning the science and art of critical care medicine in some of the highest acuity ICUs in the country, our fellows receive focused education in specific skills to help them develop a more granular and specialized approach to patient management. Activities include:

• Extensive critical care board-aligned didactic schedule with half-day of protected academic time every week (every Tuesday afternoon from 12 - 5pm)
• Critical care medicine journal clubs twice a month
• Basic and advanced echocardiography and critical care ultrasound workshops
• Three-day extracorporeal life support workshop in our state-of-the-art simulation (SIM) center
• Basic and advanced ventilation workshops in our SIM center
• Advanced communication workshops focused on interprofessional communication, difficult family discussions, code status discussions, and delivering bad news
• Opportunity to complete the 150-minimum POCUS examinations for the Critical Care Echocardiography (CCEeXAM) board examination
• Opportunity to obtain the 50-minimum TEE examinations to obtain the Basic TEE certification (Basic PTEeXAM) or the TEE supplement to the Critical Care Echocardiography certification (CCEeXAM)
• Opportunity to participate in the Distinguished Trainee Educator Certification programs offered by the Education Institute of Cleveland Clinic
• Quality and patient safety projects with interprofessional teams
• Sponsored fellow membership to the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), as well as opportunities to attend SCCM/Society of Critical Care Anesthesiology annual conferences
• Simulation-based workshops in extracorporeal life support, critical care echocardiography, communication, and mechanical ventilation
• Career mentorship program
• Echo and ultrasound program for guided, one-on-one mentorship with faculty who are experts in echocardiography

Structure

The Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) fellowship is a one-year fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This fellowship program provides comprehensive training and experience in critical care medicine. The fellowship year is made up of 13 four-week modules including:

Elective options- We offer a wide range of options for the elective rotation(s), depending on each fellow’s interests, including trauma ICU at Metro health (Level 1 trauma center), nutrition, bioethics, palliative medicine, infectious disease, Acute Medical Liver Failure Unit, Oncologic Critical Care Unit. Fellows can also choose to spend their elective time in any of our core ICUs.

Curriculum & Didactics

The fellowship offers a comprehensive curriculum centered around a weekly protected academic half-day. Every Tuesday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, our fellows are relieved from clinical duties to attend academic lectures, workshops, and courses.

1. Fellowship lecture series
   • Year-long lecture series based on the content outline from the American Board of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Board Exam
   • Virtual and recorded
2. Journal club series
   • Monthly department-wide journal club covering current literature, frequently joined by the first and contributing authors
   • Monthly fellowship journal club covering landmark journal articles
3. Bioethics series
   • Monthly fellowship bioethics discussion with our bioethics staff centered around cases encountered in our ICUs
4. Focused and longitdinal ultrasound and echocardiography curriculum
   • 4-week rotation involving either 4 weeks of TTE, 4 weeks of TEE, or 2 weeks of each
   • Opportunity to get at least 150 critical care echo examinations (required for Critical Care Echocardiography CCEeXAM certification) and 50 TEE examinations (required for CCEeXAM TEE certification or Basic TEE certification Basic PTEeXAM)
   • Introduction to Ultrasound course (two days) offered every July
   • Fellowship ultrasound workshop (two days) offered every August , to build on the July course
   • Advanced ultrasound course (two days) offered in the spring each year to introduce advanced topics such as valve pathology interrogation, mechanical circulatory support, TEE, and advanced respiratory evaluation
   • Ultrasound mentorship program pairing fellows with ultrasound staff
   • Year long longitudinal POCUS lecture curriculum
5. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Course
   • Three-day course covering VA ECMO, VV ECMO, and LVADs
   • Mix of lectures, hands-on, and simulation
   • Offered twice a year
6. Beginner and advanced ventilator workshops and courses
7. Proning workshop
8. End-of life communication workshop
9. Fundamentals of Critical Care Medicine – Obstetric Critical Care (FCCS-OB) course
10. Critical care procedures course

Dual-Program Interest

Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowships

Two-year appointment/commitment

We offer the opportunity for dual training in ACCM and ACTA at our institution for competitive candidates selected by both (ACCM/ACTA) selection committees.

The American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) provides individual accreditation for the following anesthesiology specialty fellowship programs: Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA).

ACCM and ACTA remain individual and separate 12-month training programs. The individual program is responsible for providing the specific ACGME program requirements during the year of enrollment. Individuals interested in pursuing both programs at the Cleveland Clinic can follow the following process:

• Applications
• Applicants seeking to pursue sequential ACCM and ACTA fellowships at Cleveland Clinic must submit applications through the SF Match to both ACCM and ACTA programs and indicate an interest in both training programs.
• Dual interviews are not guaranteed.
• Match
• Selected candidates will be given the offer for dual training, in compliance with the regulations put forth by the program director councils of ACCM and ACTA.
• The SF Match allows for exceptions to be requested prior to match day for applicants committing to institutions for more than one year.
• The Cleveland Clinic ACCM and ACTA programs participate and remain in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SF Match.
• Program Structure
• Two- one-year appointments will begin on August 1, 2027 (July 1, if required by military service or a candidate on a J1-Visa).
• Applicants may request a specific sequence regarding fellowship program enrollment.
• The final decision will be made by the program directors with the intent to facilitate request(s).
• Completion
• Following completion, ACCM and ACTA fellows will have met the ACGME program requirements for both fellowship programs and will be eligible for board certification.

Emergency Medicine Combined Program

Anesthesia Critical Care Medicine – Emergency Medicine (ACCM-EM) Track Year 2

Critical Care has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing subspecialties within Emergency Medicine, driven by the increasing complexity of patient care and the demand for highly skilled intensivists. Our program offers a robust two-year interdisciplinary fellowship specifically designed to prepare Emergency Medicine physicians for a dynamic and comprehensive career in critical care.

• Hear from Dr. Emerman about the partnership with MetroHealth.

Key aspects of a second year ACCM-EM fellowship:

• Experience at MetroHealth: The second year is clinically funded, and fellows are credentialed as attending physicians at MetroHealth. In this part-time attending role, they gain meaningful independent practice experience while continuing to receive structured mentorship from faculty.
  During these Metro rotations, fellows work directly alongside the MetroHealth Emergency Medicine team, fully participating in clinical operations and contributing as Emergency Medicine staff.
  Fellows typically complete five clinical shifts per month, along with one jeopardy shift that provides backup coverage, though activation is uncommon. Most shifts occur at the main campus, where fellows are integrated into the core clinical workflow. Additional opportunities at community sites broaden exposure to diverse practice environments and patient populations.
  Standard shifts are eight hours long, supporting a balanced schedule that accommodates both clinical responsibilities and academic or fellowship-related activities. At select community locations, fellows may occasionally work 12-hour shifts, offering experience with different operational models and patient volumes.
• Comprehensive ICU exposure: Most of the second year is dedicated to rotations in a broad range of ICUs, where fellows manage complex medical and surgical patients with post-operative complications, trauma, and other critical conditions. 
• Advanced procedures and techniques: Fellows gain proficiency in advanced procedures like TEE, central venous catheter placement, arterial line placement, and may be exposed to more complex airway management techniques. 
• Trauma critical care: Dedicated trauma ICU rotations allow fellows to care for severely injured patients, honing their skills in high-acuity environments.
• Elective rotations: Fellows can personalize their training by selecting electives aligned with their interests—options may include medical, oncology, or cardiac critical care, as well as Medical Life Flight rotations.
• Research and teaching: Fellows are encouraged to pursue research projects and participate in teaching activities for medical students and residents. 
• Board Certification Eligibility: After completing the full 24-month fellowship, emergency medicine physicians qualify to pursue subspecialty certification in ACCM, jointly offered by the ABEM and ABA.
• Streamlined Application Process: By entering the ACCM-EM track, fellows bypass the need for a separate interview season and match cycle for ACCM fellowship, simplifying the transition. The two-year structure ensures continuity, mentorship, and a cohesive educational experience without the disruption of reapplication.

Current Fellows 2025-2026 

Bejan Kanga, MD
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University (Emergency Medicine)
Fellowship: Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic

Charles Pan, MD
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia/Cornell
Fellowship: Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic

Matthew Villanyi, MD
Medical School: Boston University
Residency: NYP-Columbia/Cornell Emergency Medicine
Fellowship: Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic

Application Process

All application materials must be sent directly to the San Francisco Match.

Applicants must complete the application and include:

• CV
• Personal statement
• USMLE and in-training scores
• ECFMG Certificate (if applicable)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one must be from the Program Director)

Requirements

1. Applicants must have completed an anesthesiology or surgical residency program accredited by one of the following:
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
2. Applicants must have completed USMLE steps 1,2 and 3
3. Applicants must be eligible for a temporary unrestricted Ohio medical license

Current Fellows

Class of 2025-2026

Kalen Abbott, MD
Medical School: University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
Residency: Maricopa Integrated Health System –  Phoenix, AZ

Sumayya Aboobacker, MD
Medical School: Medical College of China Three Gorges University
Residency: Hamad Medical Corporation –  Doha, Qatar

Matthew Carvey, MD
Medical School: St. George's University
Residency: MetroHealth/Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Case Western Reserve University Emergency Medicine Residency – Cleveland, OH

Michael Chepanoske, MD
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School – Worcester, MA
Residency: Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH

Sothivin Lanh, MD
Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
Residency: Emergency Medicine, Summa Health

Holly Lewis, MD
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: Duke University Medical Center – Durham, NC

Nicholas Merutka, MD
Medical School: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Residency: Anesthesiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – Houston, TX

Fellow Life

A message from our chief fellows

Welcome to Cleveland Clinic’s Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Fellowship! We thank you for your interest in our program. We are fortunate to care for patients from all over the world with a variety of complex medical and surgical needs across the many intensive care units within our health system. With a highly ranked Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) and Surgical ICU (SICU), you will gain extensive experience in transplant medicine, mechanical circulatory support devices, and both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. We also have a talented faculty from a multidisciplinary background (Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine/MICU, OBGYN…and more!), keen to teach and mentor the next generation of intensivists. Our fellowship is bolstered by robust didactics with protected conference time and multiple courses throughout the year, each designed to strengthen your knowledge in critical care. There are plenty of opportunities to find your niche in critical care, whether it be in research, education, or quality, just to name a few.

Outside the hospital, we are lucky to call the beautiful city of Cleveland home. You will find an endless possibility of activities to do and new hobbies to try. Spend a day along the shores of Lake Erie at its many waterfront parks or choose to adventure in the scenic wilderness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hocking Hills State Park. There’s a lively cultural scene waiting to be explored, with several museums and galleries within walking distance of Cleveland Clinic. Whether it’s bustling downtown Cleveland or one of the many picturesque suburbs, you will find Cleveland is a truly wonderful city to live, work, and play!

We believe our fellowship will provide you with the training needed to become a well-rounded intensivist prepared to work in any ICU setting. Come join us!

Alumni

2024 – 2025

Mogahed Hussein, MD
Fellowship - Combined Perioperative & Critical Care
Duke University - Durham, NC

Bejan Kanga, MD
Fellowship – Emergency Medicine
Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH

Charles Pan, MD
Fellowship – Emergency Medicine
Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH

Breanne Travis, DO
Faculty – Anesthesiologist/ CVICU Intensivist
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center – Milwaukee, WI

Matthew Villanyi, MD
Fellowship – Emergency Medicine
Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH

Loren Walwyn-Tross, MD
Faculty – OBGYN & Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH

2023-2024

Abey Sam Abraham, MD
Faculty – Cardiothoracic Anesthesia & CVICU
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Santhalakshmi Angappan, MD
Faculty – MSA & ICR
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

David Matthew Barra, MD
Faculty – Anesthesiologist/ Intensivist
Brooke Army Medical Center - San Antonio, TX 

Carl Boulos, MD
Fellowship - Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management 
University of Toronto - Toronto, Canada

Michael Brown, MD
Faculty – General Anesthesiologist
Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital - Philadelphia, PA

Rachel Sarah Dada, MD
Fellowship - Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology 
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Mario Ricardo Pimentel, MD
Faculty – Cardiothoracic and Critical Care Anesthesiologist
Emory University Hospital - Atlanta, GA

Matthew Anthony Serna, MD
Faculty – MSA & CVICU
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Manila Singh, MD, DESA, D-ABA
Faculty - CVICU & CTA
Oschner Medical Center - New Orleans, LA

Marty Waddell, MD
Assistant Professor – Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS

2022-2023

Shireen Abdel-Razzaq, MD
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship
Henry Ford Hospital - Detroit, MI

Nicole Bashall, MD
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Shuchi Jain, DO
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine
Rush University Medical Center - Chicago, IL

Haseeb Khan, DO
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine
Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University - Detroit, MI

Xiang (Jess) Li, MD
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Teuta Marsic, MD
Faculty - Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist and Critical Care
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - New Brunswick, NJ

Melodie Sarebanha, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Tyson Verhaal, MD
Faculty - University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Manshu Yan, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Huntington Memorial Hospital
Loma Linda University - Pasadena, CA

Luai Zakaria, MD
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

2021-2022

Nida Aftab, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia
BayState Medical Center - Springfield, MA

Hatim Ali, DO
Faculty - General Anesthesia
McLaren Health Care - Pontiac, MI

Lynden Baesch, DO
Faculty - Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
University Hospital - Cleveland, OH

Gyan Das, MD
Assistant Professor - Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center - Baltimore, MD

Akshatha Gururaja Rao, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Yan Malamud, DO
Faculty - General Anesthesia
Kaweah Health - Visalia, CA

Adriana Martini, MD
Assistant professor of anesthesiology
University of Mississippi, MS

Ashley Miller, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Philip Ramirez, MD
Faculty - Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
Forbes Hospital - Monroeville, PA

Alexandra Wright, MD
Faculty - General Anesthesia & Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Resources

Training at Cleveland Clinic

We invite you to explore our Graduate Medical Education website to discover the reasons why Cleveland Clinic offers an ideal teaching and learning environment as well as to learn more about our rich tradition of excellence in the “education of those who serve.”

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