Dear perspective anesthesia resident: Let me start by introducing myself. Currently, I am a CA-3 and I want to give you my perspective on the anesthesia residency here at Northwestern. I’ll tell you that I am not from Chicago and did not go to medical school here. I went to medical school in North Carolina and considered programs on both coasts. In my travels I found both the city of Chicago and the Northwestern program to be my best fit. I feel our clinical experience and didactic curriculum comprise a program that is second to none. Throughout our residency we are divided into one or two month blocks. The first year these blocks are regional anesthesia, urology, ENT, gynecologic surgery, acute pain, general surgery, and an introduction month. The division of the year into blocks was a great way to focus my readings. They also allowed me to develop a rapport with the attendings on those blocks. Trust between myself and my attending allowed me to try many different anesthetic plans and enhance the education in every case. Second year gives us an experience in the subspecialties of anesthesia: OB, critical care, cardiac, pediatrics, pain management and neurosurgery. These blocks, while more demanding, are also very satisfying, allowing me to build on what I have learned by performing more technically and intellectually challenging cases. Our last year allows us to revisit previous rotations and through elective rotations, focus our study on our particular interests. Most residencies offer the same basic rotations, so what would I say makes us stand out? If I could only pick one aspect, I would point to the clinical experience. The variety and number of cases allows us to have experience with every type of case we could want. The opportunity for procedures is extensive. Epidurals, spinals and peripheral nerve blocks become something with which we are both comfortable and confident. Our case load and case diversity leaves no doubt that we will be skilled practitioners when we complete our training here. The residents here are a great group, who I consider both my friends and colleagues. I enjoy the people I work with and they make each day a little better. They are accomplished physicians who work well together. Their knowledge drives me to further mine and I have no doubt that my colleagues will do nothing but augment the reputation of Northwestern-trained anesthesiologist. In addition to clinical experience, I believe you must have a formal didactic curriculum. We have a didactic program that is balanced and effective. It includes time in the simulator lab every other week, weekly lectures, grand rounds, and mock oral boards. Additionally, each rotation offers rotation specific lectures. There is a pervasive effort to be able to articulate your anesthetic plan. This will serve us well both on our oral boards, and more importantly, in communicating with other anesthesiologist and surgeons in the future. Through mock oral exams (with junior and senior examiners), intra op discussions and Socratic style lectures, we become efficient and confident in verbalizing our thoughts. I cannot stress enough how this emphasis has really helped me to better think through what I am doing everyday. I have no doubt that we have every opportunity to become technically, clinically and academically not just competent, but excellent anesthesiologists .We work in an institution of physicians that are renowned in their field, inspiring me to push myself to be better. This all takes place in medical facilities that are second to none. I encourage everyone considering Northwestern to submit an application and take the opportunity to get a closer look at our program. I am confident you will find our city, hospital and department to be comparable to any in the country. It is my hope that it will be a good fit for you. Sincerely, |
|
|
|
Letter from Resident Trevor Gibbs, MD |
|  | ||
| ||||
 | ||||
| ||||
|