Our Fellowship Program in Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine

Overview

Our Fellowship offers an opportunity to develop the comprehensive knowledge and specialized technical expertise required to achieve excellence in the practice of regional anesthesia. The program emphasizes clinical, as well as research and didactic experience, to prepare Fellows to become true experts in regional anesthesia. Upon completion of the Fellowship, our graduates are well-suited to continue their careers in either an academic or private practice setting. As Fellow Alumni, Dr. Jonathan C. Beathe and Dr. Lauren H. Turteltaub - the Director and Assistant Director of our Training Programs respectively - bring a uniquely balanced perspective to the training experience which inspires candidates to pursue innovative directions in their career paths. A two-year Clinical/Research Fellowship, culminating in an advanced degree, is also offered for candidates interested in an academic career.

Objectives

The Department of Anesthesiology adheres to the consensus guidelines for training formulated by the Directors of Regional Anesthesia Fellowship Training Group.

Clinical Component

Achieving clinical mastery of regional anesthetic techniques for the management of the patient undergoing an orthopaedic surgical procedure is the cornerstone of the Fellowship. Over 30,000 regional anesthetic procedures are performed annually at Hospital for Special Surgery, where Fellows have the advantage of learning state-of-the-science techniques from an Attending Staff who are all experts in the field. The Fellow’s clinical experience is enhanced by providing regional anesthesia for new and cutting edge orthopaedic procedures. Regional Anesthesia Fellows work in conjunction with physicians who are expert in:

• Upper and lower extremity and plexus nerve blocks
• Central neuraxial blocks
• Catheters
• Nerve stimulator techniques
• Ultrasound techniques
• Intraoperative management of regional anesthesia
• Acute pain procedures

Academic Component

Didactic Programs
Fellows participate in educational programs and activities throughout the year, including our CME accredited Grand Rounds Lecture Series, Journal Clubs, Case Conferences, Research Updates and Complication Management Conferences. A weekly Morbidity and Mortality or Board Review Teaching Conference is also presented specifically for the Fellows and Residents in our Training Programs. In addition, monthly “Fellows Only” conferences are presented by attending and guest faculty on regional anesthesia and related topics geared to the Fellows’ advanced level of training.

Cadaver Lab
The Department operates a novel cadaver lab, organized by Dr. Christopher A. DiMeo, focusing on the anatomic relationships and problems encountered by practitioners of regional anesthesia. Organized into specific block modules, including supraclavicular blocks (interscalene and supraclavicular), infraclavicular blocks (infraclavicular and axillary), popliteal, femoral and sciatic blocks, lab sessions employ fresh frozen cadavers, which replicate the look and feel of living tissue. Because these specimens are not embalmed, ultrasonography yields images that match those found in the operating room. Fellows have the opportunity to not only dissect and discern the anatomy relevant to a particular nerve block, but also to practice block and catheter placement technique on “patients” in an environment free of time constraints or fear of complications. Our cadaver lab provides students of regional anesthesia the substrate and time necessary to develop the knowledge, skill and proprioception critical to safe, efficacious peripheral nerve blockade and the anatomic insight essential for innovation.

Anatomy Course
Fellows are provided the opportunity to teach medical students in anatomy courses at Weill Cornell Medical College, demonstrating clinical correlates on brachial plexus, spine and lower extremity specimens.

Website/Media Initiative

All Fellows are asked to participate in the Department’s ongoing website initiative, which offers opportunities to provide written content and master filming and editing techniques in various audiovisual media.

Scholarly Activity

The Department of Anesthesiology and Hospital for Special Surgery share a strong dedication to research and boast an impressive history of accomplishments. Fellows are asked to participate in scholarly activity which may include clinical research projects, review articles, book chapters or other endeavors deemed appropriate by the Department Director and Education Committee. Fellows are also encouraged to pursue their own research interests in regional anesthesia, acute pain management, and critical care of the orthopaedic patient for publication/presentation at a national meeting.

Affiliation

The Fellowship Program has affiliation agreements with several Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency training programs in anesthesiology including:

• Weill Cornell Medical College
• The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• The University of Washington's School of Medicine
• Virginia Mason Medical Center
• The University of California at San Francisco's School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School

The Fellowship Program is also affiliated with the multiple Fellowship Programs in orthopaedic surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Fellowship Application Process

Download an application in Word format.

Obtain an application by email.

For questions or to request an application, please contact:

Mary J. Hargett
Administrative Director, Education
Department of Anesthesiology
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Tel: 212.606.1793
Fax: 212.517.4481
Email: hargettm@hss.edu

Interview

Selected candidates will be invited to New York to interview with the Department Director, the Medical Director of Education, the Administrative Director of Education, and the Director and Assistant Director of Training Programs. Candidates are also given the opportunity to meet with current Fellows to discuss issues and ask questions. Interview invitations are offered following a thorough review of all applications.