Regional Anesthesia Fellowship
Overview
The 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 experts in regional anesthesia. Upon completion of the Fellowship, physicians are superbly prepared to continue their careers in academic medical centers or private practice groups. Graduates of the Fellowship have excelled in both of these settings, taking the skills learned during their training here all over the country. A significant number of our Fellowship graduates have also been selected to join the HSS Attending Staff. In fact, more than one third of our current Attending Staff are former HSS Fellows. As former Department Fellows, Dr. Beckman and Dr. Turteltaub bring a uniquely balanced perspective to the training experience. Under their direction, the Fellowship program inspires candidates to pursue innovative directions on the paths to excellence.
In the Forefront of Regional Anesthesia
Almost two decades ago, clinical observations and research pointed
to the many significant advantages of regional anesthesia. Greater
patient comfort, a significant decrease in major morbidities, and
shortened hospital stays prompted anesthesiologists to investigate
and master the art of regional anesthetic techniques. In 1986,
under the direction of Dr. Nigel Sharrock, the HSS Department
of Anesthesiology became one of the first in the nation to
advance the use of regional anesthesia for orthopedic surgery
and pain management. Today, our institution utilizes regional
anesthesia for approximately 90% of our cases.
Advanced Practice Through Education
Instituted in 1997 by former
Department Director, Dr. Thomas
J. J. Blanck, the Annual Regional
Anesthesia Symposium brings together
both national and international anesthesiologists
to advance the practice of
regional anesthesia. This highly
regarded program presents current
controversies and fundamentals,
didactic sessions, multimedia presentations,
hands-on workshops and panel discussions. Now in its
second decade, our Symposium has generated more interest
each year and has grown accordingly.
Objectives
The Department of Anesthesiology at HSS adheres to the
consensus guidelines for training formulated by the Directors
of Regional Anesthesia Fellowship Training. Clinical and academic
components are combined to provide the physician with comprehensive knowledge and enhanced clinical skills in:
- The administration of both adult and pediatric peripheral
and neuraxial blocks
- Regional anesthetic patient care including the judicious
use of sedation and appropriate hemodynamic and
respiratory management
- Invasive monitoring techniques
- Intraoperative and postoperative management of patients
undergoing complex orthopedic surgical procedures
including spinal surgery
- Postoperative pain management strategies utilizing
intravenous, neuraxial, and peripheral techniques
including in-dwelling catheters
Clinical Component
Achieving clinical mastery of regional anesthetic techniques
for the management of the patient undergoing an orthopedic
surgical procedure is the cornerstone of the Fellowship. Approximately 25,000 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 orthopedic
procedures. Regional Anesthesia Fellows work in conjunction
with physicians expert in:
- Upper and lower extremity and plexus nerve blocks
- Central neuraxial blocks
- Catheters
- Ultrasound techniques
- Interoperative management
of regional anesthesia
- Acute pain procedures
In addition, our active Acute Pain Service provides extensive
experience in management of postoperative pain, including the usage of peripheral nerve catheters.
Academic Component
Fellows participate in educational programs and activities
including the following Programs: our 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 presented
specifically for the Fellows and Residents in our Training
Programs. Fellows also participate as faculty in our Annual
Regional Anesthesia Symposium: Controversies and Fundamentals in Regional Anesthesia. In addition, monthly “Fellows Only” conferences are presented by attending and guest faculty on regional anesthesia, and related topics geared to the Fellows’ high level of training.
Website Initiative
All Fellows are asked to participate in the Department’s ongoing website initiative. Participation involves writing content, filming and utilizing editing techniques.
Scholar Activity
The Department of Anesthesiology and the institution share a
strong dedication to research and an impressive roster 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. Fellows are also encouraged to
pursue their own research interests in regional anesthesia,
acute pain management and critical care of the orthopedic
patient for publication/presentation at a national meeting.
Affiliation
The Fellowship Program is affiliated with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved
training programs including both the Johns Hopkins School of
Medicine and Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Anesthesiology Residency Training Programs, and the
Hospital for Special Surgery’s multiple Fellowship Programs in
Orthopedic Surgery.
The Application Process
Download an application in Word format.
To obtain an application by email, please click here.
To obtain an application by mail, please send a request to:
Mary Hargett
Manager, Academic and Clinical Affairs
Department of Anesthesiology
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212-606-1793
Fax: 212-517-4481
E-Mail - hargettm@hss.edu
Interview
Selected candidates will be invited to interview with the
Department Director, the Director of Education, the Training
Program Directors, the Department Manager, and other members
of the Anesthesiology Department at Hospital for Special Surgery
in New York. After a thorough review, suitable candidates will
be extended Fellowships.
Click here to fill out our online fellowship application.
