FAQs

Some additional information that has been provided by current residents and their experience with the program.

What is the working environment like in the URMC operating rooms and clinical locations?

Residents and faculty have a strong relationship that is shared both among the anesthesiologists as well as the CRNAs and surgeons with whom they work. There is a sense of cordiality and friendly camaraderie in a comfortable working environment.

Okay, so, what is moonlighting and why is it a nice perk?

Moonlighting is a way for us to work additional hours as a way to make extra money. A resident in good academic standing who has been here for at least six months and is licensed in New York, can be credentialed for moonlighting. This is a way for the program to bolster the residency income for those who are interested.

What can you tell me about the freedom to customize my residency curriculum and add additional learning opportunities? How adaptable is the residency?

Outside the set guidelines determined nationally for all programs, the program here is very open to adjusting schedules as well as providing support for requested electives and individual endeavors. Overall the curriculum allows most residents to finish all of the required rotations by the end of their second year allowing third year residents freedom to focus on rotations of personal interest. In the past, residents have completed work in health care policy, a concentrated chronic pain focus as a mini-fellowship and continued clinical research outside of the OR.

What can I expect from my internship year?

Your internship year at URMC is largely what you can expect from any anesthesiology program. You will rotate through 38 weeks of external rotations in clinical services and have 4 weeks of vacation time. What is different, however, is that the orientation program for anesthesia begins the second week in March. One of the four-week clinical service rotations is saved to be completed during your second year which also allows you to be in the OR a month early.

As an intern, am I going to be "lost" to the other services, forgotten or left to fend for myself?

Absolutely not. The anesthesia department is heavily involved in determining how we are used and how our time is utilized. Additionally, anesthesiology is constantly in contact with the other departments addressing new goals and situations as they arise. As program coordinator, Eva is extremely helpful and always available to help with anything that may come up.

How do the other departments feel about/treat/interact with the anesthesia residents? How do the departments interact?

Our department is looked at with a lot of respect. The residents that have come before have been pleasant, hard working, and smart. We are treated like that is who we are, and that is what is expected. Nearly all departments respect and support all other departments. The hospital really has an amiable atmosphere.

Is there any camaraderie amongst the classes?

"Speaking only for my class, we are all pretty close. We have spent a lot of time outside of work together and really enjoy being a part of the ‘team’ even though we rarely work directly with each other." —Cory Jurgensmeier, PGY1