Residency

Overview

Thank you for your interest in Cleveland Clinic's Anesthesiology Residency Program. Our program is continually evolving and specifically designed to create an unprecedented clinical and educational experience. Harnessing the exceptional resources of one of the nation's leading medical institutions and renowned faculty, our residents learn the practice of Anesthesiology while caring for an incredibly complex and demanding patient population. In this exceptional environment, we train experts in the field who become leaders in research, academics, and private practice.

Our program offers a four-year categorical residency, beginning with a unique Clinical Base Year sponsored by the Anesthesiology Institute in which residents are introduced to the basics of Anesthesiology and related fields. After an unmatched exposure to all elements of Anesthesiology in the CA-1 and CA-2 years, residents receive further advanced training in the CA-3 year, focusing on the subspecialties of Anesthesiology, OR management, and optional research.

The large number and complexity of operative procedures performed at Cleveland Clinic provides our residents abundant experience in clinical anesthesia and the opportunity to develop sub-specialization skills. Basic and clinical research opportunities further prepare residents to deliver state-of-the-art care to patients. We encourage you to browse this site to learn more about our program.

Christopher Troianos, MD, FASE - Chairman Anesthesiology Institute
Maged Argalious, MD, MBA, MEd, FASE - Vice Chair for Education and Residency , Program Director Anesthesiology Institute

A Message from our Chief Residents

Welcome toCleveland Clinic's Anesthesiology Program! With its rich history as a world-renowned medical center and a long list of medical innovations, Cleveland Clinic provides a unique training environment. For years, our program has provided residents with exceptional clinical skills, research training, and a strong grasp of academic anesthesia. Given our diverse patient population and the Clinic's large surgical volume, it is not surprising that our graduates begin their careers comfortable with everything from busy outpatient practices to the challenging cases at large academic centers.

Over the past decade our curriculum has evolved from a traditional service-based format to a dynamic, interactive program with strong didactics, research opportunities, and a unique Clinical Base Year (PGY-1) that integrates 6 months of anesthesia training early in residency. We have level-specific lectures beginning as an intern that focus on key topics for the ABA Part1A and 2 exams. In addition we have mock oral boards, monthly journal clubs, weekly grand rounds, and a variety of simulation activities, including practice OSCE exams focused on preparation for the new component of the ABA practical exam. With our large Outcomes Research Department, research is encouraged and supported among residents, although not required. However, what is irreplaceable in our training is our clinical case exposure. Cleveland Clinic has over 20 cardiac, thoracic, and vascular ORs in addition to over 50 general and pediatric ORs. We provide anesthesia for some of the sickest patients from all over the world and have ample exposure to a wide variety of surgical cases including solid organ transplants and complex heart and vascular cases. This is invaluable experience that can only be gained at a quaternary care center like Cleveland Clinic.

Despite the larger size of our residency, there is a genuine sense of community and support. There are several Institute sponsored parties throughout the year, as well as staff who open their homes for gatherings. Although the time demands of residency are not to be underestimated, our residents frequently socialize outside of work, spend time with their families, and are able to maintain balance in their life during training. For those of you unfamiliar with Cleveland, the city has a lot to offer. Affordability is universal, the restaurant scene features Top Chef Winners, there are a variety of music and ethnic festivals, six professional sports teams, and many breweries, including the nationally recognized Great Lakes Brewery. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are hiking and biking trails in Metro parks located throughout the city, a large fishing and hunting community, nearby camping and lakefront beaches. In addition, Cleveland has an internationally recognized theater district, symphony orchestra, and art museum.

Whether your career goals include research in academics, private practice, or further fellowship training, our residency program provides a strong foundation. Please feel welcome to contact any of us with further questions and thank you again for your interest in our program!

Theresa Barnes, MD, MPH
Brett Wakefield, MD
Rachel Diehl, MD, MPH
Perin Kothari, DO

Application Process

Anesthesiology Residency Application Process

The Anesthesiology Institute offers 22 categorical positions each year, comprised of a unique, integrated Clinical Base Year (CBY) followed by three years of clinical anesthesia (CA1-CA3). All positions are filled through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) match. No advanced positions (PGY-2) are offered through the match. International applicants are invited to apply through the NRMP as well.

How to Apply

The Anesthesiology Institute participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for all positions. Our application requirements are the same as the standard ERAS application:

• Complete Application
• CV
• Personal Statement
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (Dean's Letter)
• Transcript
• USMLE Step I Transcript
• Three Letters of Recommendation

USMLE Step 2 may be completed after the deadline; however, successful completion of both Step 2 CS and CK is required prior to matriculation.

Deadline

While there is no definite deadline, we strongly encourage that all applications be submitted on or soon after September 15th. Interview spots fill very quickly.

Interviews

Offers for interviews will be made via email starting late September. Interviews will be held on Mondays from November through January. Applicants are invited and highly encouraged to attend dinner the night before with our residents. Hotel accommodations at The InterContinental Cleveland will be provided.

For More Information

Maged Argalious, MD, MBA, MEd
Vice Chair for Education and Residency
Staff Anesthesiologist
argalim@ccf.org

Shirley Dotson
Coordinator, Residency Program
dotsons@ccf.org
216.444.2356

Benefits

Residency Program Benefits

20 vacation days are provided each year.

Insurance

Cleveland Clinic offers a comprehensive health plan that covers residents and fellows as well as your immediate family members (spouse and eligible children) at 50 percent of the healthcare premium that all other Cleveland Clinic caregivers pay. Trainees are covered as of their actual start date so long as they completed online enrollment within 31 days of their start date.

Educational Allowance

A $1000 educational allowance is granted each year and may be used for books, moving expenses, tablets, laptops, USMLE, professional society memberships, board review, etc.

In addition, the Education Institute will fund up to $1,500 per year for meeting attendance provided an abstract or poster is presented.

Additional funding for travel and meeting attendance is available through the Anesthesiology Institute pending an approval process. Meeting attendance does not subtract from vacation days.

Salary

Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective April 1, 2017:

Additional Benefits

• Free access to Cleveland Clinic Fitness Facilities (state-of-the art cardio and weight machines, Olympic sized swimming pool, basketball courts, fitness classes)
• Mini-iPads provided to all starting anesthesia residents with access to "Access Anesthesiology" plus a multitude of other electronic resources provided through the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Library
• On call meal allowance
• Yearly on-site board review course
• Nicely equipped resident lounge
• In-house moonlighting opportunities

Rotations & Research

Rotations

Because of Cleveland Clinic's renowned reputation and role as an international quaternary referral center, patients with serious medical conditions come here for some of the most complex surgical procedures performed in the world. In this extraordinary clinical environment, our residents routinely manage some of the most challenging cases that anesthesiology has to offer, all while enjoying a broad experience in all aspects of perioperative medicine.

Clinical Base Year (PGY-1)

The Anesthesiology Institute is proud to sponsor a comprehensive and unique Clinical Base Year (CBY), specifically designed to prepare first year residents for advanced training in our anesthesiology residency. The CBY is comprised of 13 four-week modules of training in Perioperative Medicine, Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease, Kidney Disease, Lung Disease, Acute Pain Management/Regional Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Emergency Medicine. The Critical Care modules include Adult Surgical, Cardiovascular Surgical Critical Care modules. In addition, there is a module dedicated to the fundamentals of Quality and Patient Safety.

The CBY includes four months of General Anesthesia including a gradual two month orientation process. During this period, the basics of anesthesia are taught in both classroom and OR settings. All scheduling, advising and evaluation for the internship is controlled by the Anesthesiology Institute. In addition to a broad clinical experience, this internship prepares the first year resident for a smooth entry into the CA-1 year of the anesthesiology residency. Regular participation in anesthesiology conferences and activities makes the CBY resident a full participant in the Institute.

CA-1 Year

In the CA-1 year, residents build on the concepts and skills introduced in the CBY and continue to administer anesthesia using a wide variety of techniques for general, orthopaedic, urological, gynecological, obstetric anesthesia, ambulatory and ophthalmologic surgery. Additional time is spent in the surgical intensive care unit, pre-anesthesia clinic, the postoperative anesthesia care unit, and the Acute Pain Service.

CA-2 Year

After intense exposure to the fundamentals of Anesthesiology during the CBY and CA-1 years, the CA-2 year introduces residents to the more complex anesthesia sub-specialties, including neuroanesthesia, trauma, cardiac and thoracic anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, major vascular anesthesia, liver transplantation, non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) and anesthesia for life threatening pathology.

Residents will also gain additional experience in the management of the difficult airway during a special module dedicated to ENT anesthesia. In addition, residents gain further exposure to obstetric anesthesia and regional anesthesia to provide a longitudinal learning experience and to solidify their knowledge in these sub-specialties.

The CA-2 resident will enjoy increased responsibility in both our 30-bed Surgical ICU and 76-bed Cardiovascular ICU, both of which are managed by the Anesthesiology Institute. The complexity and acuity of patients encountered here-where technologies such as intra-aortic balloon pump, RVAD, LVAD, ECMO, and total artificial heart are commonplace-is second to none. CA-2 residents also rotate at Akron Children's Hospital for Pediatric Anesthesiology.

CA-3 Year

The CA-3 year provides the senior resident with a wealth of opportunities to fine tune their clinical and leadership skills, while providing anesthesia and intensive care with significant autonomy to some of our sickest patients. Additional subspecialty exposure is gained in Ambulatory and Regional Anesthesia, Obstetric Anesthesia, Pediatric Anesthesia, Neuroanesthesia, Anesthesia for Vascular Surgery, Adult and Congenital Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, and Surgical Critical Care. CA-3 residents also take elective time for advanced clinical research (up to six months), or scholarly purposes. The CA-3 resident directs the overnight and weekend call teams and also learns how to efficiently utilize OR resources and anesthesia personnel by working at the anesthesia control desk numerous times throughout the year.

We also offer elective rotations at our regional facilities, including Beachwood ASC, Euclid, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals. 

Approximate Annual Surgical Volume

• 60,448 total surgical procedures
• 17,936 ambulatory surgical cases
• 10,651 pediatric procedures
• 8,216 cardiac procedures
• 713 pediatric cardiac procedures
• 1,192 thoracotomies
• 141 critical care beds (SICU and CVICU)
• 9,574 acute pain patients
• 2,317 new chronic pain patients
• 8,979 chronic pain procedures
• 53 heart transplants
• 133 lung transplants
• 174 kidney transplants
• 190 liver transplants
• 8,488 deliveries
• 6,588 major orthopaedic procedures
• 766 major spine cases
• 4,518 neurosurgical procedures
• 2,346 vascular procedures

Anesthesiology Resident Research Opportunities

Cleveland Clinic's Center for Anesthesiology Education and the Anesthesiology Institute are committed to the continual growth of the knowledge base of anesthesia. To support this endeavor, we actively encourage our residents to take part in quality clinical research as a part of their four years of training.

Spearheading our research program is the Department of Outcomes Research, the clinical research arm of the Anesthesiology Institute. Under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Sessler, this team of world-renowned researchers, clinicians and statisticians is working on clinical research to improve patient outcomes. The department also serves as the administrative center for the international Outcomes Research Consortium, a group of more than 100 clinical investigators, spread across four continents and arguably the world's largest clinical anesthesia research organization. Basic science research opportunities are also available through the scientists of Lerner Research Institute.

In addition, at the level of the Anesthesiology Institute, we have a resident research committee comprising of staff and two resident research coordinators. The role of the resident research coordinator is pivotal in connecting interested residents with appropriate research mentors.

Getting Involved with Research as a Resident

The first step, before getting access to patient data is to complete what is known as CITI training. CITI or Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative is an online training module, providing research ethics education to all members of the research community. Residents can use the Institute's Intranet to access the CITI training site.

Every resident is given ample opportunity to get involved with clinical research at an early stage, starting in the clinical base year. The Department of Outcomes Research offers the "Fundamentals of Clinical Research" lecture series to all residents throughout their training. Interested residents can also approach either of the two research coordinators who can then put them in contact with research mentors with ongoing or future research projects. We also maintain a database that keeps track of all the major research projects throughout our Anesthesiology Institute. This allows us to identify research savvy residents and ensure that they have quality research projects to work on. In addition, residents can also avail up to six months of dedicated research time as an elective during CA-3 year in accordance with current ACGME guidelines.

Meeting Attendance and Presentations

The Anesthesiology Institute encourages and supports residents to attend all major national and regional anesthesia meetings within the continental United States. Residents are adequately compensated monetarily and are allocated meeting days away from work in all such cases. As per institute policy, every resident is allowed to attend one national and one regional meeting along with the OSA (Ohio Society of Anesthesiologists) meeting every academic year. Specifically the institute supports the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA National Meeting) and the Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC Regional Meeting) and encourages all the residents to actively participate and present posters as well as oral presentations.

Residents interested in submitting an abstract to a meeting should send their abstracts to any of the research coordinators in addition to submitting online to the specific meeting website.

Guidance, supervision and practice sessions in preparation for both oral and poster presentations are offered to all residents through their staff members as well as the members of the Department of Outcomes Research.

In order to meet the academic milestones of the residency program for graduation, residents are required to either publish at least one peer reviewed article or submit and present at least one abstract to a regional or national meeting during their fourth year of training.

Alparsalan Turan, MD and Ehab Farag, MD, FRCA
Staff Anesthesiologists-in-charge of Resident Research

Resident Research Representatives
Sean DeGrande, MD, PhD

Deepak Agarwal, DO, MPH

Related Resources

• Outcomes Research Consortium
• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative 
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
• The Ohio Society of Anesthesiologists

Didactic Education & Resources

Didactic Education & Resources

The Anesthesiology Institute's didactic component of the residency is matched in intensity and scope to the clinical experience, with the goal of providing diverse opportunities each week for residents and faculty alike to interact and enhance learning. Conferences and lectures are designed to be challenging to residents but specific for level of training.

Didactics

• Wednesday Anesthesia Conference (WAC) - our version of Grand Rounds--are weekly Institute-wide topic presentations given by faculty, residents, or renowned national and international leaders in the field as part of our Visiting Professor Lecture Series. M&Ms are held during WAC on a monthly basis.
• Thursday Education Day CBY through CA-3 residents are relieved from OR duty to attend faculty lectures on topics ranging from basic pharmacology and physiology to complex subspecialty material. Curriculum is geared towards ABA Keywords and preparation for both parts of the ABA Board Exam as well as the annual In-training Examination (ITE) and Anesthesia Knowledge Test (AKT). We embrace a learner centered, interactive approach using problem based learning, simulation scenarios, interactive case discussions and faculty moderated resident led presentations. 
• Faculty-led chapter review sessions occur on a monthly basis.
• Outcomes Research Weekly Lecture Series - an optional lecture series for interested residents and fellows, dedicated to basic and advanced clinical research training, with special emphasis on research design, statistics, ethics, manuscript writing, and presentation. Lectures given by Outcomes Research Faculty - some of the most highly regarded and published leaders in Anesthesia research.
• Journal Clubs are held periodically throughout the year in conjunction with Visiting Professors.
• Subspecialty rotation-based lectures, including a daily lecture series for residents on critical care, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, etc.
• Mock Orals are provided twice a year by faculty members, several of whom are ABA Board Examiners.
• OSCE ( Objective Structured Clinical Exams) are given twice a year to CA-2 and CA-3 residents to assist with Board preparation.
• Cleveland Clinic Comprehensive Anesthesiology Review - a nationally recognized six-day review course is offered to CA-3 residents free-of-charge in preparation for their oral and written Boards.

Electronic Resources

Cleveland Clinic was one of the first institutions to implement a fully Electronic Medical Record well over a decade ago. All patient encounters, laboratory data, and imaging may be accessed from anywhere on campus or at home - bringing great ease and completeness to perioperative evaluation.

Our Anesthesia Record Keeping System (ARKS) is a state-of-the-art electronic anesthesia record that provides for fast and accurate clinical documentation and also helps to reduce errors by integrating with our Decision Support System (DSS) and Anesthesia Control Desk (ACD) software. All technologies and software are developed and supported by an in-house group of computer programmers, software engineers, and mechanical engineers.

Simulation

Anesthesiology residents have access to over 59,000 square feet of some of the most cutting edge simulation space in the world.

Multidisciplinary Simulation Center - focused on both individual and team-based learning, this center features a fully functional ICU and operating room, complete with the same equipment and capabilities found elsewhere in the hospital. The center is equipped with a wide variety of task and procedural-based simulators, multiple infant, child and adult human patient simulators, and a state-of-the-art audiovisual recording and assessment system. Simulators of interest include IV access, neuraxial anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks, echocardiography, general anesthesia emergencies, obstetric emergencies, vascular surgery emergencies, neurosurgical emergencies, ENT emergencies, regional anesthesia complications, PACU/ICU emergencies, crisis management, and team communication.

The Debra Ann November Pediatric Airway and Pulmonary Mechanics Lab - a technologically advanced simulation lab dedicated to the complexities and unique challenges presented by the pediatric airway. Equipped with a high-fidelity bronchoscopy simulator, a GE Aisys anesthesia machine, ICU ventilators, and infant and child-sized mannequins, residents will gain both fundamental and advanced skills in pediatric airway management as well as a better understanding of pediatric anatomy and pulmonary physiology.

The Archie Brain Difficult Airway Simulation Center - features a simulated operating room complete with a functional anesthesia machine, operating room equipment, and a human patient simulator that can breathe and exhale carbon dioxide. This unique center allows residents to not only fine tune basic airway management skills, but also develop an effective and skillful approach to the difficult and failed airway. Residents will have access to a high-fidelity bronchoscopy simulator, a variety of supraglottic airways and airway management devices, and a proprietary one-lung ventilation simulator.