Welcome
Thank you for your interest in Cleveland Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency Program. Our four-year integrated categorical residency includes a world-class, learner-centered, interactive curriculum. This curriculum includes level-specific, high-fidelity simulations, comprehensive OSCE sessions, periodic oral board practice examinations, and a longitudinal, perioperative ultrasound education program. In the clinical setting, our residents also function as an integral part of our care team and actively participate in the care of patients with complex surgical pathology across all surgical subspecialties alongside distinguished and experienced anesthesiologist educators. Furthermore, as part of a world-renowned research institute, we take pride in our outcomes-focused, patient-centered high-impact research and our innovative culture. This prepares our graduates for a lifelong career as leaders in Anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. We welcome you to join our team!
Please join us for our Residency Open House session to help you get to know our program better. During this session, you will hear from our program leadership, meet some of our residents and get the opportunity to talk about the day-to-day of the residents in our program.
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Christopher Troianos, MD, FASE |
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| Carlos Trombetta, MD, MEd Residency Program Director Department of Anesthesiology |
Current Residents
CBY Class
Aristo Brizzolara, MD
- Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Medical School: University of Arkansas.
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Pediatric Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Music (guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, ukulele), board games and card games and video games.
Alexander Caskey, DO
- Hometown: Columbus, Ohio.
- Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Personal Interests: Golf, long walks, Aldi, gaming, skiing, college football, quality time with friends/family.
Alice Dalo, MD
- Hometown: San Francisco, California.
- Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED).
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Regional Anesthesia, Acute and Chronic Pain.
- Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, CLE/SF sports (Go Dubs and Niners), fitness, sunsets, live music and concerts.
Nicholas DiDuca, DO
- Hometown: North Andover, Massachusetts.
- Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology.
- Personal Interests: Fitness, Boston sports, The Sopranos, fantasy football, trying new coffee shops.
Michael Durgham, MD
- Hometown: Troy, Michigan.
- Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric Anesthesia & Cardiac Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Hiking, biking, building computers, traveling, eating and ceramics.
Elyad Ekrami, MD
- Hometown: Tabriz, Iran.
- Medical School: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia, Acute and Chronic Pain & Clinical Research.
- Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, swimming, playing basketball, playing video games, spending time with family and friends, watching soccer & Formula 1.
Georgia Gagianas, DO
- Hometown: Pittsburg, PA.
- Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia & Critical Care.
- Personal Interests: Fishing, skiing, traveling & coffee.
Ashley Grimes, MD, MS
- Hometown: Cleveland, OH.
- Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care.
- Personal Interests: Golf, cooking & movies.
Michael Hradesky, DO
- Hometown: Cleveland, OH.
- Medical School: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric Anesthesia & General Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Running, hiking, Cleveland Guardians and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kevin Huynh, DO
- Hometown: Houston, TX.
- Medical School: Sam Houston State University.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Running, biking, tennis, and exploring all the local restaurants int he city!
Han Sol (Sophie) Jeong, DO
- Hometown: Centreville, VA.
- Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac & Pediatric Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Formula 1, yoga, exploring coffee shops.
Samuel Kalnitsky, MD
- Hometown: Cleveland, OH.
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Medical Education, General Anesthesiology & Regional Anesthesiology.
- Personal Interests: Running, basketball (Go Cavs!), Skiing, national parks and discovering new restaurants.
Mary Knott, DO
- Hometown: Smiths Falls, Ontario.
- Medical School: LECOM Erie.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac, Critical Care & Transplant Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Hockey, baking, running and golfing.
Daniel Kray, DO
- Hometown: Bay Village, OH.
- Medical School: LECOM – Seton Hill.
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care & General Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Cleveland sports, reading, movies/tv, spending time with family.
Nicholas Luciano, MD, MPH
- Hometown: Cleveland, OH.
- Medical School: Tulane University.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac & Neuro-Anesthesiology.
- Personal Interests: Swimming, exploring restaurants, crafting.
Charvi Malhotra, MD
- Hometown: Solon, OH.
- Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia & Regional Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Pilates, traveling, golf, exploring restaurants.
Leonardo Marquez Roa, MD
- Hometown: San Cristobal, Venezuela.
- Medical School: Universidad Centro-Occidental “Lisandro Alvarado”.
- Clinical Interests: General Anesthesia, Regional Anesthesia, Pain Management & Clinical Research.
- Personal Interests: Playing guitar, going to hard rock/metal concerts, trying new cuisines as a foodie and amateur cook, and exploring new places – All better enjoyed with friends/family.
Samuel Michalak, MD
- Hometown: Auburn, MI.
- Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine.
- Personal Interests: Running, reading, biking, fantasy football and spending time with family or friends.
Collin Riddle, DO
- Hometown: Springboro, OH.
- Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Undecided.
- Personal Interests: traveling, working out, hiking, tennis, piano, spending time with my dog, family & friends, exploring Cleveland’s Metroparks, sports, breweries & food scene.
Nicholas Sampson, DO
- Hometown: Lansing, MI.
- Medical School: Michigan State University College of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesiology & Critical Care.
- Personal Interests: I enjoy visiting the national parks with my fiancée, playing ice hockey, hiking and cycling.
Amrita Sandhu, DO
- Hometown: Apple Valley, CA.
- Medical School: De Moines University.
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric Anesthesia, Cardiac Anesthesia & Critical Care.
- Personal Interests: Playing tennis, hiking with my Australian Shepard, Rosie, strength training, Pilates, exploring local coffee shops, collecting house plants and pottery.
Sara Shanaj, DO
- Hometown: Long Island, NY.
- Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Personal Interests: Traveling, the beach, volleyball and SoulCycle.
Anna Tanaka, MD
- Hometown: Sandusky, OH.
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: Acute Pain & Cardiothoracic Anesthesia.
- Personal Interests: Being active (running, lifting, pickleball, workout classes), the beach, cooking, spending time with family & friends.
Daniel Terner, DO
- Hometown: San Diego, CA.
- Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
- Clinical Interests: General and Cardiothoracic Anesthesia & Chronic Pain.
- Personal Interests: Being outdoors, especially on or by the water, bowling, photography and playing piano.
CA-1 Class
Michael Benson, DO
- Hometown: Akron, Ohio
- Medical School: Ohio University
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric Anesthesia and Acute Pain
- Personal Interests: Basketball, Golf, Hiking, Cooking all different cuisines, Rewatching the office, Going to Browns, Cavs and Guardians games and going to trivia at different local breweries and spending time with my wife!
Joseph Brisson, MD
- Hometown: Rochester, MI
- Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac, ICU, or Regional Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Family, friends, University of Michigan and Detroit sports
Yun Chao Chen, MD
- Hometown: Flushing, NY
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Undecided
- Personal Interests: fishing, working out, food, TFT, and cats
Taya El-Hayek, MD
- Hometown: Canfield, Ohio
- Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
- Clinical Interests: Undecided, maybe peds anesthesia or acute pain
- Personal interests: Traveling, Tennis, Pilates, Reading, and Spending time with my family, my friends, and my dog Kobe!
Steve Gendi, MD
- Hometown: St. Louis, MO
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain, General Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: traveling, playing/watching sports (basketball and football), working out, Netflix, spending time with friends & the fam
Austin Hansen, MD
- Hometown: Lake Ozark, MO
- Medical School: University of Kansas, SOM
- Clinical Interests: Regional or Chronic Pain
- Personal Interests: Dogs, Golf, KC Chiefs, Fantasy Football, Trying new restaurants
George Istafanos, DO
- Hometown: Franklin Square, NY
- Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: POCUS, Cardiothoracic anesthesia, regional anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Basketball, Scuba diving
Armon Khosraviani, MD
- Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
- Medical School: Chicago Medical School at RFUMS
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic and general anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Fitness, Brazilian jujitsu, fishing, long walks, and Costco runs
Brandon Lau, MD
- Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Undecided
- Personal Interests: Martial arts, video games, discovering new restaurants, whiskey tasting, cocktail bars, game theory optimal poker
Aaditya Manirajan, MD
- Hometown: Louisville, KY
- Medical School: The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Acute pain, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Rock climbing, fishing, board games
Kyle Meyer, MD
- Hometown: Fremont, OH
- Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Clinical Interests: Acute and Chronic pain, pediatrics, cardiac anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Running, reading, Cleveland sports, trying new breweries, spending time with family and friends.
Warren Moseman, MD
- Hometown: Bloomington, IN
- Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: General Anesthesiology, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Acute and Chronic Pain. I have yet to meet a field of Anesthesiology I don’t love.
- Personal Interests: All things outside including hiking, fishing, kayaking, golfing, and skiing (both snow and water). Exploring Cleveland parks and breweries with my giant floofy Bernese Mountain Dog. Indiana Hoosiers Basketball.
Amanda Naylor, MD
- Hometown: Cleveland, OH
- Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Clinical Research
- Personal Interests: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Cavaliers, exploring the Metroparks with my two rescue greyhounds, live music/jam bands, enamel pin collecting
Saloni Parikh, MD
- Hometown: San Francisco, CA
- Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University
- Clinical Interests: undecided
- Personal Interests: hiking/national parks, fitness, cooking for friends/family, live music, rooftop happy hours, wine tasting, Steph Curry and Golden State Warriors fan
Amani Ramiz, MD
- Hometown: Houston, TX
- Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW)
- Clinical Interests: open to anything
- Personal Interests: Trader Joe’s, weightlifting, cooking
Megan Reilly, MD
- Hometown: Brighton, MI
- Medical School: Central Michigan College of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: regional anesthesiology, general anesthesiology
- Personal Interests: riding horses, golf, weightlifting, skiing, Costco hotdogs, and my two tuxedo cats Sylvester and Socks
Kyle Shaw, MD
- Hometown: Orlando, FL
- Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Hiking, Camping, Traveling
Taha Siddiqui, DO
- Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia, Chronic Pain
- Personal Interests: Playing Competitive Table Tennis, Watching Anime and K-dramas, Eating Hotpot with Friends, Exploring New Cuisines, and Traveling to Japan!
Cameron Thompson, DO
- Hometown: Flint, MI
- Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Cardiac Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Volleyball, exploring Cleveland's food scene, golf, dollar dog night, long walks on the beach with my dog
Busra Tok Cekmecelioglu, MD
- Hometown: Istanbul, Turkiye
- Medical School: Trakya University School of Medicine, Turkiye
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia, Clinical Research
- Personal Interests: Traveling, hiking, pilates, cats, photo shoots for Instagram, fashion, trying out new restaurants, happy hour
Joshua Whitney, MD
- Hometown: Franklin, TN
- Medical School: Central Michigan University
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac Anesthesia, Regional Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Basketball, Disc Golf, Weightlifting, Chess, Skiing, Tuxedo Cats
Nina Zhou, MD
- Hometown: Wilmette, IL
- Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Pain (Acute & Chronic), Obstetric, General Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Reading, board games, Costco, fitness classes, hiking, matcha and sesame-flavored desserts
CA-2 Class
Melissa Akpinar, DO
- Hometown: Long Island, New York
- Medical School: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Undecided
- Personal Interests: Hockey (let's go Rangers!), dogs, iced coffee, grilling, Peloton
Abraham AlFarra, MD
- Hometown: Houston, TX
- Medical School: UT Houston
- Clinical Interests: Chronic pain management, Cardiac anesthesia
- Personal Interests: CLE/Dallas sports, spending time with family/friends, travel, fantasy football, cars
Nabil Aziz, DO
- Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Medical School: Touro University - California
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Acute pain
- Personal Interests: Volleyball, gardening, hiking, video games, spending time with family
Katie Basch, DO
- Hometown: Solon, Ohio
- Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: critical care, regional anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia
- Personal Interests: cycling, weightlifting, golf, ice cream
Philip Borkowski, MD
- Hometown: Chagrin Falls, OH
- Medical School: University of Sydney
- Clinical Interests: Undecided
- Personal Interests: Playing guitar, going to concerts, reading, memorizing movie monologues, alliteration, mastering Aunty Donna's Christmas pudding recipe, exercising and taking an excessive number of photos when traveling
Ariel Gelman, DO
- Hometown: Livingston, NJ
- Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: regional anesthesia, general anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia
- Personal Interests: traveling, trying new restaurants, swimming, spending time with family & friends
Sydney Keller, MD
- Hometown: Grosse Pointe, MI
- Medical School: Indiana University
- Clinical Interests: Acute pain, general anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Running/cycling/walking nearby trails, exploring Cleveland's bar and restaurant scene, trips to Trader Joe's & Notre Dame football
Joan Koh, MD, Junior Quality Officer
- Medical School: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Long Island NY
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac anesthesia, Pain (Acute & Chronic)
- Personal Interests: Trail running/hiking, Water Skiing, Snowboarding, Movies (especially Marvel/Mission Impossible, Fast & Furious!), Drawing
Esra Kutlu Yalcin, MD, Research Coordinator
- Hometown: Mersin, Turkiye
- Medical School: Cukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkiye
- Clinical Interests: Regional Anesthesia, Cardiac Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Jamming with friends, Playing guitar and harmonica, Discovering and creating new playlists in Spotify, Postmodern Jukebox, The Office, Traveling, Jogging, Orienteering, Volleyball
Christopher Matthews, DO, Chief Resident
- Hometown: Albany, GA
- Medical School: LECOM, Erie
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric
- Personal Interests: Soccer, golf, fishing and anything on the water, local ice cream stands, hanging with my wife
Sally Nagia, MD
- Hometown: Troy, MI
- Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
- Personal Interests: swimming, weightlifting, online shopping, sneakers, interiors, reality TV (Housewives, Bach, and so many more)
Alexandra Pearce
- Hometown: Toronto, ON
- Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: critical care, peds, OB, chronic pain
- Personal Interests: weight lifting, biking, yoga, reading, sleeping, sour beers of any kind, trying new breweries & restaurants with my husband & friends!
Dominic Pelchat, DO
- Hometown: Utica, MI
- Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Regional Pain, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Football, Piano, Running
Jerred Pletcher, MD
- Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
- Medical School: University of Toledo
- Clinical Interests: Cardiac, Critical Care
- Personal Interests: Breweries, food, pizza, dog parks, sports
Michael Salomon, MD
- Home town: Richmond, Virginia
- Medical School: University of Virginia
- Clinical Interests: Physician wellness, artificial intelligence in anesthesia, critical care
- Personal Interests: Fitness/exercise, camping and hiking, balling on a budget
Jay Shah, DO
- Hometown: Powell, Ohio
- Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Critical care, General anesthesia, Regional anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Cooking, Ohio State football, trying new breweries, spending time with friends and family.
Qainat Shah, MD
- Hometown: Queens, NY
- Medical School: Albany Medical College/li>
- Clinical Interests: possibly acute pain management, clinical research
- Personal Interests: cats, the boys, fries, cheese, long drives, fitness, walks in rain, couch naps, watching basketball
Dorian Stevens, DO
- Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
- Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Chronic pain management and transplant anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, spending time with family and my dog Kayda, weightlifting, playing basketball and golf
Nicholas Thompson, DO
- Hometown: Mentor, Ohio
- Medical School: Ohio University HCOM
- Clinical Interests: Intensive care and regional pain
- Personal Interests: Spending time with family, flying drones, and being outdoors
Samjeris Victor, MD
- Hometown: Reading, PA
- Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic and Chronic Pain Management
- Personal Interests: Philadelphia Eagles fan, jet skiing, ziplining, Marvel movies, brewery connoisseur, Gordon Ramsay enthusiast
Wing Fei Wong, MD, Chief Resident
- Hometown: San Francisco, CA
- Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University
- Clinical Interests: Critical Care, Cardiac
- Personal Interests: Ice Cream (Making and Eating), Cross Stitch, Costco, Spin, Cute Scrub Caps
Wendy Yam, MD
- Hometown: San Jose, California
- Medical School: University of California, Davis
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Cycling, reading, trying out new restaurants
CA-3 Class
Faiz Ahmed, DO
- Hometown: Long Island, NY
- Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Erie
- Clinical Interests: Undecided
- Personal Interests: Sports, fitness, road trips, Super Smash Bros, Seinfeld, The Office
Gabriel Alcodray, MD
- Hometown: Dearborn, Michigan
- Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Private practice
- Personal Interests: Board games, video games, weightlifting, couch naps
Mauro Bravo, MD, Research Coordinator
- Hometown: San Cristobal, Venezuela
- Medical School: Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela
- Clinical Interests: Acute and chronic pain management, neuroanesthesia, perioperative care, clinical research
- Personal Interests: Traveling, jogging, swimming, cooking and trying new restaurants, classic music
Jayce Breig, MD
- Hometown: Evergreen, Colorado
- Medical School: Drexel University COM
- Clinical Interests: Pediatric anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Billiards, video games, golf
Benjamin Brunell, MD
- Hometown: Austin, Texas
- Medical School: University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic anesthesia and critical care
- Personal Interests: Reading, podcasts, cooking/baking, consumer electronics
Michael Chepanoske, MD
- Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
- Medical School: UMASS Medical School
- Personal Interests: Video games, cooking/baking, trying new breweries
Matthew Coscia, MD
- Hometown: Zionsville, IN
- Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Acute pain, obstetric anesthesia, general anesthesia
- Personal Interests: I like weightlifting, hiking and outdoor activities
John Coughlin, MD
- Hometown: Parma, OH
- Medical School: Wright Stage University, Dayton, OH
- Clinical Interests: Critical care and cardiac anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Cycling, hiking trips, spending times with friends and family
Matthew Geiser, MD
- Hometown: Zionsville, IN
- Medical School: Indiana University
- Personal Interests: LA Dodgers fan, fantasy football
Nicky Goldstein, DO
- Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
- Medical School: Philadelphia college of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Taking it day by day and seeing what floats by boat by my senior years
- Personal Interests: Playing guitar/mandolin, spending time with my girlfriend/dog and cat, chasing top-quality live music shows and kayaking/hiking
Lusine Israelyan, MD
- Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia but my family is in Glendale, California.
- Medical School: Yerevan State University
- Clinical Interests: Neuroanesthesia, liver transplant anesthesia, clinical research
- Personal Interests: Baking, hiking, art and music
Jordan Italiano, MD
- Hometown: Canfield, OH
- Medical School: Wright State University
- Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, weightlifting, sports, TV series, movies, sneakers
Amoghavarsha Krishna, DO
- Hometown: Dayton, OH
- Medical School: Ohio University Dublin
- Clinical Interests: Chronic pain management and cardiothoracic anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Photography, travel, kayaking, eating exotic foods, animals!
Noble Forrest Lewallen, DO, Chief Resident
- Hometown: Traverse City, MI
- Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic and transplant anesthesia
- Personal Interests: Craft coffee, backpacking, fitness, Tiki culture and cocktails, MSU and Cleveland sports
Tianyun (Ardi) Li, MD
- Hometown: Sidney, OH
- Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University
- Personal Interests: Tennis, lifting, baking desserts, eating desserts, trips to Costco, the Ohio State Buckeyes
Irfan Minhas, MD
- Hometown: Stow, OH
- Medical School: Chicago Medical School
- Clinical Interests: Chronic pain management, regional anesthesia and acute pain
- Personal Interests: Travel, basketball and video games
Rod Nault, MD, MS
- Hometown: Rochester, NY
- Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic, critical care
- Personal Interests: Rock climbing
Vraj Patel, DO
- Hometown: Peoria, IL
- Medical School: Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Acute and chronic pain management
- Personal Interests: Playing and watching basketball, Chicago Bulls, traveling, movies, breweries, hip hop and Bollywood music
Quinton Riter, DO
- Hometown: Stow, Ohio
- Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, chronic pain
- Personal Interests: Rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, cooking
Garrett Thomas, MD, Chief Resident
- Hometown: Broadlands, VA
- Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic anesthesiology, critical care
- Personal Interests: Spending time with my family, rowing, cycling, running, weightlifting, college basketball, playing board and video games
Jason Tretter, MD, Senior Quality Officer
- Hometown: Richfield, OH
- Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
- Clinical Interests: Chronic pain
- Personal Interests: Football, cooking, trying new foods and restaurants, The Office, 90 day Finance
Megha Vipani, MD
- Hometown: Chantilly, VA
- Medical School: University of Virginia
- Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, critical care
- Personal Interests: Mitchell’s coffee chocolate chip ice cream, design, soccer
Program Details and Rotations
Cleveland Clinic has a world-renowned reputation and a 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 Department of Anesthesiology 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, including experiences through the following areas:
- Perioperative medicine.
- Neuro ICU.
- Endocrinology.
- Chronic pain recovery.
- Nephology.
- Cardiology.
- Pulmonary medicine.
- Infectious disease.
- Acute pain management and regional anesthesia.
- Adult surgical critical care.
- Cardiovascular and thoracic surgical critical care.
- Emergency medicine.
Our CBY includes four months of general anesthesia including a gradual two-month orientation process. During this period, the basics of anesthesia are taught in the classroom, OR and simulation settings. In a “boot camp” setting, our residents experience selected common and uncommon anesthesia crises, in a supervised and safe environment.
All scheduling, advising and evaluation for the internship is controlled by the Department of Anesthesiology. In addition to a broad clinical experience, this internship prepares the first-year resident for a smooth entry into the CA-1 year. Regular participation in anesthesiology conferences and activities makes the CBY resident a full participant in the Department of Anesthesiology. In our program, your residency in anesthesiology starts on day one.
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 the main general anesthesia surgical areas. Residents will complete anesthesia rotations dedicated to surgical subspecialties including orthopedics, neurosurgery, ENT, urology, and plastic surgery.
Additionally, the CA-1 residents will have additional critical care exposure in both our 30-bed Surgical ICU and 95-bed Cardiovascular ICU, both of which are managed by the Department of Anesthesiology. This gives the residents the opportunity to help manage complex and acute critically ill patients encountered here, where technologies for advanced cardiovascular support are commonplace, second to none.
The CA-1 residents spend some time in our newly remodeled pre-anesthesia care clinic, allowing for a comprehensive preoperative patient evaluation and the initiation of multiple perioperative ERAS protocols.
During the postoperative anesthesia care unit rotation, the residents have the opportunity to manage postoperative complex patients from multiple surgical subspecialties, allowing them to understand the continuum of perioperative care.
During the chronic pain rotation, our residents get ample exposure to all facets of care of chronic pain patients, from the complex adjustment and multimodal approach of medications to invasive pain procedures, our residents work hand in hand with world renown experts in the care of these very complicated patients.
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, these include great experiences in an advanced anesthesia practice setting.
Our residents obtain additional neuro surgery exposure during this year. This advanced neurosurgical experience involves the management of a broad range of case complexities, from simple spine procedures to complex awake craniotomies. Being one of the largest stroke centers in Northeast Ohio, our residents get to experience acute neurosurgical emergencies, giving them the opportunity to solidify their management strategies. As we are getting ready to welcome our brand-new state-of-the-art Neurological Institute building, we are looking forward to enhancing our neuro-anesthesia experience in 12 brand-new ORs being built for us.
Our residency program’s cardiac and thoracic anesthesiology rotations are world class. During the residents’ rotations through the cardiac ORs they have the opportunity to work with world-class surgeons and anesthesiologists performing the most complex and challenging surgical procedures. Residents witness the most vanguard techniques in cardiac and thoracic surgery, allowing them to be excellently prepared in this very challenging area of anesthesia.
Residents will also gain additional experience in the management of difficult airways during a special module dedicated to ENT anesthesia, where a stepwise milestone and procedure-based curriculum enhances resident exposure to simple and complex airway management techniques.
Additional exposure to obstetric and regional anesthesia provides a longitudinal learning experience that helps solidify the residents’ knowledge in these sub-specialties.
Our pediatric anesthesia experience is quite comprehensive. From complex congenital cardiac surgery to a simple adenoidectomy, the CA-2 pediatric anesthesia rotation prepares our residents to manage most pediatric cases.
With over 200 liver transplants per year, our CA-2 anesthesiology residents have a great exposure to these very complex cases as they have the opportunity to cover liver calls throughout this academic year. This allows our residents to effectively learn the management of these complex cases and enhance their transfusion and intraoperative critical management strategies.
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. Our CA-3 residents rotate through anesthesia subspecialty areas giving them the opportunity to solidify their management strategies. We have found that additional time in obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia and critical care are of great benefit.
While in the cardiac ORs, our residents have the option to rotate for a dedicated transesophageal echo module, where their primary responsibility is to learn this skill. Some of our residents pursue basic TEE certification or get an important head start in their TEE knowledge as they move on to fellowships where this skill is required.
During the months assigned to the general ORs, the CA-3 residents direct the overnight and weekend call teams and learn how to efficiently utilize OR resources and anesthesia personnel by working at the anesthesia control desk, giving them invaluable on-the-job experience in personnel, time and resource management.
We also offer elective rotations at several of Cleveland Clinic’s regional facilities, including Hillcrest, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals, where our residents have access to a community and private practice feel for anesthesiology, engaging in experiences that enhance their autonomy, supervisory skills as well as their regional anesthesia practice. We have an option to perform elective rotations in our London hospital and our Abu Dhabi hospital.
In addition, we have an elective rotation at Akron General Hospital, one of the main trauma centers in the region, to provide our residents with this invaluable trauma experience.
As part of one of the largest pain practices in the country, our residents’ rotations through our chronic pain clinics enhance their understanding of the multiple different invasive and non-invasive strategies for chronic pain management, as well as perioperative management of this very complex patient population. As part of the CA-3 electives, our residents have the opportunity to work in a community-based chronic pain practice, where they gain experience and manage complex pain patients with adequate supervision.
Finally, our CA-3 residents have the option to take elective time for advanced clinical research (up to six months) for scholarly purposes.
Approximate annual surgical volume
As a world-class institution, with a target on innovation and patient safety, Cleveland Clinic’s different surgical services encompass a huge gamut of surgeries and procedures. This allows our anesthesiology residents to be exposed to a wide range of surgeries, from the most common elective ones to complex and experimental procedures. Our residents are part of the care team, hand in hand with anesthesiology leaders in multiple surgical sub-specialties, creating an environment of learning and discovery.
Our resident’s critical care exposure is enriched by the complexity of our patients, as well as the diverse settings where this care happens, from a dedicated liver transplant ICU to a unit dedicated to cardio-pulmonary mechanical assist devices and transplantation. The care that our residents provide these patients enriches their anesthesiology education, communication skills and team effectively.
Curriculum and Training
The Department of Anesthesiology's didactic curriculum 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 educational activities are designed to be challenging to residents, specifically for their level of training.
Didactics
- Department of Anesthesiology Grand Rounds are weekly Department-wide topic presentations given by faculty, residents, or renowned national and international leaders in the field as part of our Visiting Professor Lecture Series. Our M&Ms are held during Wednesday mornings on a protected time slot, on a weekly basis.
- Thursday Education Half Day — Each resident class, from CBY through CA-3, are relieved from all clinical duties to attend educational activities on topics ranging from basic pharmacology and physiology to complex sub-specialty 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, case-based learning, crisis resource discussions, simulation scenarios, interactive case discussions and faculty-moderated resident-led presentations.
- Faculty-led special topic and sub-specialty 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 monthly throughout the year, addressing important and relevant topics of the ever-changing aspects of anesthesiology.
- Sub-specialty rotation-based lectures, including lecture series for residents on critical care, cardiothoracic anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, etc. These are discussed during the resident’s specific rotations, in small group settings.
- Mock Orals are provided twice a year by faculty members, several of whom are ABA Board Examiners. This experience is enhanced in the CA-3 year, helping our residents to prepare for this component of the ABA Applied exam.
- The REDE to communicate in anesthesia course for our CBY residents gives them an introduction to a set of tools and skills that enhance communication skills from the very beginning of their training.
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exams) experience is provided for our CA-1, CA-2 and CA-3 residents to assist with preparation for the ABA Applied exam. We have created a full 6 station session for each academic level, giving our residents the most realistic experience in preparation for the exam.
Simulation
Anesthesiology residents have access to over 59,000 square feet of some of the most cutting-edge simulation spaces in the world. Utilizing responsible practices, we have been able to re-start our simulation activities.
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, obstetric and adult human high-fidelity patient simulators.
- State-of-the-art audiovisual recording and assessment system.
Our didactic curriculum is enriched with a strong high-fidelity simulation foundation, with cases that have a progressive increase in complexity, exposing our residents to the bases of all areas of crisis resource management, situational awareness and effective teamwork, both at the main simulation center and at the bedside in different in-situ locations.
These are some of the topics we address in our simulation sessions:
- Central and peripheral IV and arterial access practice workshops.
- Neuraxial anesthesia workshops.
- Peripheral nerve blocks.
- Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography simulation.
- Complex anesthesia crisis and emergencies.
- Obstetric emergencies.
- Vascular surgery emergencies.
- Neurosurgical emergencies.
- ENT emergencies.
- Regional anesthesia complications.
- PACU/ICU emergencies.
- Crisis management.
- 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 fully functioning anesthesia machine, ICU ventilators, and infant and child-sized task trainers and high-fidelity simulation 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. 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.
Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Simulation Area – features multiple advanced airways and bronchoscopy simulators as well as a transthoracic/transesophageal echo simulator, and a central line, pulmonary catheter and IV pacer simulator; allowing our residents to practice and through deliberate, high repetition enhance their procedural skills.
Benefits
Residency program benefits
Our residents are able to enjoy 20 vacation/time off days each academic year.
Insurance
Cleveland Clinic offers a comprehensive health plan which covers residents and fellows as well as their immediate family members (spouse and eligible children) at 50% of the healthcare premium that all other Cleveland Clinic caregivers pay. Trainees are covered as of their actual start date so long as they complete online enrollment within 31 days of their start date.
Educational allowance
An educational allowance is granted each academic year and may be used for books, moving expenses (incoming trainees only), USMLE/COMLEX, professional society memberships, board review, etc.
The Education Institute will fund up to $2,500 per academic year for CA1 - CA3s for meeting attendance provided an abstract or poster is presented, and the resident is the first author.
Additional funding for travel and meeting attendance may be available through the Center for Anesthesiology Education office pending a simple approval process. Meeting attendance does not subtract from vacation days.
Salary
Please refer to the table below for new salary rates, effective May 16, 2025:
| Grad Level | Annual Rate | Per Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $67,322 | $2,805 |
| 2 | $69,591 | $2,900 |
| 3 | $71,838 | $2,993 |
| 4 | $74,649 | $3,110 |
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), in several locations throughout the city.
- Institutional laptops are provided to all incoming anesthesia residents.
- Access to "Access Anesthesiology" plus a multitude of other electronic resources provided through the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Library.
- On-call meal allowance.
- Nicely equipped resident lounge.
- In-house moonlighting opportunities (for those who qualify and meet requirements).
- Access to different educational resources including TrueLearn, Anesthesia Toolbox and Board Vitals.
Institutional benefits
- Learn about the institutional benefits you will receive as a Cleveland Clinic trainee.
How to Apply
Anesthesiology residency application process
The Department of Anesthesiology offers 24 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).
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.
Please add a paragraph to your personal statement discussing what it is about the Cleveland Clinic program that appeals to you. Program-specific personal statements will be held in high regard.
Individual program (gold/silver) and geographic signaling will be strongly considered.
USMLE Step 2 may be completed after the application deadline, but its results will be considered before the final residency rank list. Successful completion of Step 2 is required prior to matriculation.
Deadline
While there is no definite deadline, we strongly encourage that all applications be submitted before or soon after October 17, 2025.
Interviews
Offers for interviews will be made via email starting early October. Interviews will be virtually held on Thursdays from October through January via a THALAMUS platform; camera presence will be required. The night before each interview date we will have an event where the scheduled candidates will have the opportunity to meet current residents in the program in the setting of a virtual social mixer.
Virtual open house sessions information
We have scheduled our virtual open house sessions, where we will have the opportunity to highlight our program, share important information, meet and talk with some of our staff and current residents. We will host one session for this season on 09/15/2025 at 7:00 PM EST.
To attend one of our sessions, please sign up through this Microsoft Forms link: https://forms.office.com/r/cSbqg1qrCS
In-person second look session
We will have an in-person second look session on February 8th, to give our candidates an opportunity to visit our campus and meet with our residents in person. This will allow you to visit the main areas where our residents will spend their time while in residency with us. Our NRMP rank list will be certified and submitted by this date, candidates’ attendance to this session will not be considered when creating the rank list.
For more information
Carlos Trombetta, MD, MEd, CHSE, FASA
Residency Program Director Anesthesiology Institute
Staff General and Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist
Tiaja Rand
Residency Program Coordinator
ANED@ccf.org
216.444.2356
Residency Office Phone: 216.445.2115
Program Leadership
Carlos Trombetta, MD, MEd, CHSE, FASA
Program Director
Originally from Venezuela, I completed my medical school at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, Escuela de Medicina “Luis Razetti” in Caracas, Venezuela; following which I pursued an anesthesiology residency and cardiothoracic anesthesia fellowship in its University Hospital. I eventually moved to Cleveland and enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency Program and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship. I have been working as staff for both the general and cardiothoracic anesthesiology departments since then. I have always had a passion for medical education, and this led me to enroll and complete a Masters in Healthcare Professions Education from Cleveland State University/Cleveland Clinic.
My passion for medical education and especially simulation-based medical education made me pursue Certification in Healthcare Simulation Education (CHSE) and recognition for the Cleveland Clinic’s Simulation Center from the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
When I am not thinking about medical education, I am probably planning my next trip. I really enjoy international travel, fitness, looking for new hikes to go explore the outdoors, new restaurants here in Cleveland and venturing in my own Italian cooking.
Sandeep Khanna, MD
Associate Program Director
I serve as the Associate Program Director and divide my time between the Departments of General Anesthesia and Cardiothoracic Anesthesia. After completing my residency training, I pursued fellowships in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Medical Education. My research interests include airway management, perioperative hemodynamics and liver transplant anesthesia. I love playing tennis and hanging out with my family. Our favorite activities include outdoor biking, watching movies and impromptu dancing.
Mariel Manlapaz, MD
Associate Program Director
I was born in the Philippines and lived in Manila until 13 years old. My family immigrated to California, and I ended up at Stanford University where I not only obtained my Bachelors in Biological Science, but I also met my husband. After a brief stint at Chiron as a research associate, I went to medical school at University of California Irvine. Much to my chagrin, I moved to Cleveland to do my anesthesia residency and cardiothoracic fellowship, since my husband had already matched here for his residency. To my surprise, I loved being at the Clinic, and Cleveland has become our home where our three boys have flourished.
Currently I specialize in neuro-anesthesia and liver transplants. In addition to my role as associate residency program director, I am also the director of the Perioperative Medicine Anesthesia Fellowship. I am very interested in how adult learners learn and am currently finishing my Masters in Education for Health Professions Education. I am looking forward to leveraging my new found knowledge and experience to help residents reach their full potential.
Outside of medicine, my husband and I love experiencing and learning about other cultures and ways of life. We have taken our boys all over the world and have had amazing adventures and have met many wonderful people!
Avneep Aggarwal, MD
Associate Program Director
I serve as an Associate Program Director and divide my time between the Departments of General Anesthesia and Department of Intensive care and resuscitation. After completing my residency training, I pursued a fellowship in Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine. My true passion lies in educating and training the next generation of future anesthesiologists. I am the Director of the medical student rotation in the surgical intensive care unit and the Director of the Virtual Critical Care Rounds series for the residents. Serving as a mentor at various stages of medical education brings me immense satisfaction as I get to observe students' development into residents and fellows, many of whom eventually become my colleagues. My areas of expertise encompass perioperative critical care and graduate medical education, with a particular focus on simulation-based medical education. Beyond the hospital, I enjoy quality time with my family and indulge in reading about behavioral economics, human behavior, and decision-making.
Harsha Nair, MD
Associate Program Director
My name is Harsha Kumar Nair (rhymes with fire), and I am excited to be one of the Associate Program Directors here at CCF!
I was born in Iowa City, Iowa but mostly grew up in Buffalo, New York. I completed a BA in History (Mediterranean Civilization) and a BS in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, before obtaining my medical degree at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. I completed my Anesthesiology Residency at The George Washington University Hospital before coming to Cleveland Clinic and completing my fellowship in Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine.
From a clinical standpoint I am a general anesthesiologist as well as a staff on our Acute Pain Management Service utilizing my regional anesthesia and ultrasound skills on a regular basis. Resident and medical student education have always been my favorite thing about academic medicine, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have for this at CCF. Outside of medicine, I most enjoy doting on my two clever daughters and charming my lovely wife. I also enjoy European club football specifically supporting Arsenal FC, as well cheering on my Chicago Bears in the NFL.
Roshni Sreedharan MD, FASA, FCCM
Vice-Chair for Education, Integrated Hospital-Care Institute
I was born and raised in Chennai, India. I completed my medical education in Kilpauk Medical College and residency in Anesthesiology and Critical Care in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). I then moved to Cleveland for Anesthesiology training here in the Cleveland Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency Program. After completing my residency training, I pursued fellowships in Critical Care Medicine and Medical Education. I serve as the Vice Chair of Education for the Integrated Hospital Care Institute including the departments of Anesthesiology, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Infectious Diseases. I split my clinical time between Multispecialty Anesthesiology and Surgical Critical Care. I love playing pickleball and travelling with my family creating memories forever!
Resident Life
A message from our Chief Residents
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Cleveland Clinic’s Anesthesiology Residency Program! We are so proud of the complexity and depth of the cases at our program and are happy to be able to learn from some of the best Anesthesiologists in the country. We truly believe this is the best place to learn to become a World-Class Anesthesiologist and can’t wait to meet you and share more about our fantastic program.
Training and curriculum
We provide a unique Clinical Base Year (PGY-1) that offers six months of anesthesia training throughout the intern year. Our staff presents lectures that focus on key topics for the ABA Basic and Advanced exams. These lectures are given during protected academic time on Thursdays when residents are relieved of their clinical duties to attend these lectures. In addition, our program provides weekly grand rounds, simulation activities, practice OSCEs, and semi-annual mock oral boards. Within our department, research is encouraged but not required for our residents.
The strength of our program is the diverse and complex clinical case exposure. The main facility includes more than eighty cardiac, thoracic, vascular, pediatric, and general ORs. Cleveland Clinic attracts medically complex patients worldwide and gives our residents the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population. Our residents gain exposure to a wide variety of surgical cases including but not limited to liver, kidney, small bowel, heart, and lung transplants, as well as complex heart and vascular cases. The “Cleveland Clinic Experience” gives our residents the confidence to handle any clinical scenario with ease and expertise upon completion of residency.
Warren, Mike, Katie & Serena
A day in the life of our residents
|
Wing Fei (Serena) Wong |
Way before dawn, I usually wake up to my fluffy alarm clock/cat Saffron walking over my legs and nudging me awake with a “Meow”. She’s interested in breakfast and play; I’m interested in coffee and getting to work before 6AM. By the time I arrive to the ORs, the anesthesia tech's have set up the room with fluids, transducers, and IV pumps. As I’m prepping the rest of the setup, including medications, lines, and monitors, I’m reviewing the anesthetic plan that the attending and I agreed to the night before. With cardiac patients especially, it’s best to be prepared for all scenarios. My patient arrives around 6:40AM, and I step into the hallway to review their medical history, talk about the anesthesia plan, answer their questions, and take their music choice for the OR as they go off to sleep. We enter the OR, and our team works in synchrony: moving the patient to the bed, attaching monitors, starting an IV and pre-induction arterial line. Everyone involved in the surgery gathers around the patient, including Surgery, Anesthesia, Nursing, and Perfusion, where we perform a Safety Huddle to discuss our plan for the surgery. After the huddle, we crank up our patient’s song request (particularly memorable requests include “Enter Sandman”, “I Want to Be Sedated” and “Sweet Dreams”), pre-oxygenate, and have them drift off to sleep. From then on, it’s a checklist of procedures, including intubation, placement of the TEE probe, central line placement, and floating a PA Catheter. After everything is in place, my attending and I review the echo together and report the findings to the surgical team as they prep the patient. My attending waves me off to get coffee, and I return as we prepare to go on cardiopulmonary bypass. While we’re on bypass, I take the time to review some board review questions while preparing the medications for separation from bypass. My attending pops in around noon to discuss a learning point before sending me off to lunch. By the time I return, we prepare the patient to come off bypass together. The rest of the surgery is uneventful - we correct coagulation derangements from bypass, wean our inotropes as the heart recovers, and normalize our volume status. When the surgery is done, we transport the patient up to the CVICU and I give handoff to the ICU team. I check in with the OR Control Desk before I’m sent home. With the volume of cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgeries that our hospital sees per year, there’s a familiar workflow in every surgery and every day, which is comforting given how complex and sick our patients can be. Some surgeries are more complex than others (I recall a patient undergoing a 7th time sternotomy). Some of the surgeries last longer than others. Some days involve more than one surgery, or more than one bypass run. Occasionally, you walk in expecting to do a coronary bypass and find yourself swapped in to do a lung transplant. Regardless of the day, the time, or the surgery, our cardiac rotations offers a truly wide breadth and depth of exposure to every corner of cardiac anesthesia, and you come out of our residency all the stronger for experiencing it. |
|
Mike Benson, DO |
Like many surgical ICUs around the country our SICU is traditionally run by the Department of Anesthesiology. Which means at any given time there are about eight anesthesia residents on a SICU rotation at a time divided between the classes. This is where we get a lot of our experience in postoperative management of critically sick and very complex surgical patients. We take part in a SICU rotation for one module every year of residency. In addition to this, we also do a rotation in the CVICU and in the Neuro ICU to give us a more well-rounded critical care experience. Our day starts at 7:30 AM when we sign out in the boardroom. Whoever was on overnight signs out all three units to the day team. Two of the three units are fully resident run. And there’s one attending in each unit. After sign-out one of the senior resident will divide up the rest of us. We will then meet the other residents on our unit and fairly divide the patients. Once I get which patients I have, I’ll find a computer in the unit and I’ll do a chart review. For patients I’ve had prior, this can be pretty quick and consist mostly of updates from overnight. For a new patient it can take a little longer and will require me to understand their baseline physiology, disease process and the surgery they had. Regardless, I will then go system by system from head to toe starting with Neuro on what issues they have going on and what management strategies we’re using, and if those strategies are working. After this, I’ll go see each of my patients, I’ll do a thorough physical exam and double check various things like their ventilator settings and what infusions they’re on. The next thing I’ll do is figure out what things I would like to change, optimize their care and overview various safety features such as how long they’ve had certain invasive lines and if any of them can be removed today. We usually round with the entire team around 9:30. This typically consists of all the residents the staff intensivist, pharmacist, and sometimes a fellow. This is when most of the teaching happens as well as throughout the day when handling critically ill patients. After rounds, we will place all the orders and consults that we’re discussed during rounds. This is also typically when we will place new lines in patients that need them. We will finish our notes and after that, the rest of the day consists of admitting new surgical patients and caring for the current critical patients that we have. The admission team also responds to the code blues that happen in multiple buildings at the hospital, especially in the post-surgical patients because they will then come to SICU after. We are there to help run the code, and also if advanced airway skills are needed. Our sign out is in at 5 PM, each president will sign out their own patients to the resident and Fellow/NP that will be working overnight. |
|
Daniel Kray, DO |
As a CA-1 on GENA rotation, I typically set my alarm for 5 AM since my drive is about 25 minutes from the west side suburbs. I get up, take a quick shower, and grab my coffee and breakfast and head out the door within twenty minutes and get to work around 6 AM. After a change into scrubs, I’ll head straight to my assigned OR and start setting up for the upcoming cases. I’ll go and see my patient in their preop bed after I’ve made sure the room is ready and go over any details of the procedure and answer all questions they have regarding the upcoming anesthesia. The patient will then usually get to the room between 645 and 7 (depending on what time the surgery is to start) and I’ll get them in the room, set up all the monitors, make sure the IV is flowing well, and have the huddle with the surgical team. We’ll preoxygenate the patient and send the patient off the sleep. I’ll get a 15 minute morning break sometime before 10 AM and eat my breakfast and get some water. Depending on how many cases we have for the day and how they line up, I’ll get a 30 minute lunch break between 1130 and 2 PM. During that time, I’ll either go to the cafeteria and grab something quick or eat what I brought from home. I usually go to H15, which is where most of the residents hang out during the day during their breaks. It’s nice to talk about cases we’re in or see what other residents are doing on their various rotations and just take a little break. After the 30 minutes, I return to my room and finish out the rest of the cases. I’ll take all the patients to the PACU afterwards where they can be monitored following the procedure. Usually, we get relieved between 4 and 5 PM and afterwards I’ll head back to H15 to work on my preops for the next day’s cases. Sometimes there are other residents there, which is great because you can bounce ideas about the next day’s cases. After I send the preops to the staff, I’ll head home, listening to Cleveland sports radio or podcasts. There’s always plenty of things to do around Cleveland with your off-time, whether you enjoy time by the beach, restaurants, fishing, museums, etc. I usually spend my nights with my wife and son, typically going to a nearby park, restaurant or just hanging out around outside to enjoy some relaxing moments together. After we put our son to bed, I’ll leisurely read a book or watch a little TV and am in bed by 9 PM. |
|
Kyle Pruitt, MD |
Here at CCF, we get a lot of anesthesia experience early. We get 6 months of specialty-specific rotations. It's great. I am Kyle, one of the CBY’s and this is what a day in the life of an intern on the acute pain service looks like. My day begins around 4:50 am after I hit snooze multiple times. I get to the hospital around 6:00 am and grab a patient list for the day that was graciously printed by our wonderful nurses and APPs. It tells us who we are seeing as an inpatient, and what blocks we are performing that day. Next, I head down to our induction room, where we perform blocks throughout the day, and grab a bag full of goodies (nerve block kits, meds, needles, sterile gloves) and look over the patients' charts of who I will be seeing today. Then, I head to the first round of blocks. There, I will watch the OR board and, at the same time, help the team set up their first-round patients. Once the team is finished there, I usually run up to do OR blocks for abdominal cases (TAP blocks become your specialty as an intern; you basically turn into a well-oiled TAP block machine). After that, I usually have time to go and see the inpatient I am following for the day and see how their pain has been controlled post-op, and then I go to sign out. Sign out is where the whole team of attendings, residents, nurses, and APPs comes together. After discussing patients, we often review questions and teachings specific to acute pain/regional anesthesia. We usually head right back to start doing more blocks. The fellows help to disperse the add-on blocks between the residents. Usually, after this, we get some lunch and hang out in the one and only H15 with other residents from all years. You get to hear stories, tell stories, and laugh with co-residents about our experiences. Everyone is great! My go-to cafeteria food is either the calzones or the daily special. Those two usually have the shortest lines, and the calzones are a good bang for the buck. Another positive is that the cafeteria is extremely close to the ORs and the resident hangout in H15, so your break feels a little longer. Depending on how busy the rest of the day is, we usually sign out between 3-4 pm and head home for the day. On the way home, I usually stop by one of the CCF gyms. After that, I head to my house and make some dinner and spend some time with my wife discussing our days. We usually take a nice little walk to get some ice cream from our local Handle’s Ice Cream and stroll around our neighborhood yapping. This service can be busy, and is full of days getting 10,000+ steps, but it's fast-paced and makes the day fly by. It is also a helpful rotation because you really get to learn more about the layout of the hospital and how the OR board is run. |
Research Opportunities & Conferences
Cleveland Clinic's Center for Anesthesiology Education and the Department of Anesthesiology 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.
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. In addition, the research coordinators help coordinate the activities of Annual Department of Anesthesiology Research Day, which serves as a platform to present and recognize high-quality research projects conducted by residents and fellows with the guidance of their staff mentors.
Getting involved with research as a resident
Every resident is given ample opportunity to get involved with clinical research at an early stage, starting in the clinical base year. We maintain a database that keeps track of all the major research projects throughout our Department of Anesthesiology. This allows us to identify research opportunities for our 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. Cleveland Clinic is an active member of the MPOG Outcomes group, giving our resident access to a database comprised of over 12 million cases, which can be analyzed for research purposes.
Anesthesiologist in charge of resident research
- Dr. Andra Duncan
Resident Research Coordinators
- Amanda Naylor, MD
- Esra Kutlu, MD
Meeting attendance and presentations
The Department of Anesthesiology encourages and supports residents to attend all major national and regional anesthesia meetings. As per Department policy, every resident will be encouraged to attend one national and one regional meeting along with the OSA (Ohio Society of Anesthesiologist) meeting every academic year. Specifically, the Department supports attendance to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA National Meeting) and the Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC Regional Meeting). We encourage our residents to share the complexity of their anesthesiology experience by actively participating and presenting posters, as well as oral presentations. This gives our residents the opportunity to enhance their communication and presentation skills as we prepare them to further their academic careers.
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 at a regional or national meeting during their four years of training.
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.”
About Cleveland
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