Education

Michael Sandison, MD Program Director

Message from the Program Director

Welcome

The Anesthesiology residency continues to be the reason that many attending anesthesiologists choose to practice at Albany Medical Center. The energy and youth that each successive group of six residents brings to this department are a source of constant renewal and vitality. They keep the faculty engaged, challenged, and studying. They are the heirs of the mantle of anesthesiology, and the future of the specialty will be in their hands. We do not take this responsibility lightly. 

• Clinical Base Year
  The department runs a categorical residency program, with a preliminary (clinical base or intern) year specifically tailored to the needs of anesthesiology-bound trainees. The preliminary year is based on 6 months of internal medicine, including rotations in the medical intensive care, coronary care, and general intensive care at the Veterans Administration ICU. The remaining 6 months include rotations in pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care, emergency medicine, pediatric surgery, preoperative assessment clinic, an elective, and one month of vacation.

•  The PGY II or Clinical Anesthesia -1 (CA-1) Year
  The first year of clinical anesthesia training starts with a course entitled "An Introduction to Clinical Anesthesia." This course runs over two months and is intended to introduce residents to basic anesthesia practice. It includes one full day of lectures per week and no weekend or overnight call responsibilities. By the third month of the first year, residents are expected to be able to manage simple cases, independent of constant one-on-one supervision. Call responsibilities start in the fourth month of the CA-1 year. The remainder of the first 6-month period is used to consolidate basic anesthesiology practice. The second half of the year is designed to prepare residents for the CA-2 subspecialty training year, which is regarded as the most challenging part of the anesthesiology residency. This preparation includes rotations in the surgical intensive care unit, neurosurgical anesthesia, cardiac anesthesiology, obstetric anesthesiology, the post anesthesia care unit, and advanced airway management. These experiences are intended to prepare residents for advanced sub-specialty training in the CA-2 year.   
  
   

• The PGY III or Clinical Anesthesia -2 (CA-2) Year
  This year consists of rotations in pain management, obstetric anesthesia, regional anesthesia, thoracic anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, vascular anesthesia, neuro-anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, and an advanced SICU rotation. Specific competency-based goals and objectives have been developed for each of these experiences and rotations. 

• The PGY IV or Clinical Anesthesia -3 (CA-3) Year
  This is a year of advanced anesthesia training, incorporating progressively more difficult and complex clinical assignments, while allowing for the development of increased independence and responsibility. With the exception of the advanced anesthesia rotation, which is mandatory for three months, the resident may elect and design his or her own third year. This may include specific sub-specialty experience in pediatrics, obstetrics, cardiac anesthesia, critical care and pain management. It may also include a period of research. Residents may train in one anesthesia sub-specialty for at most, 6 months during their residency.

• Outcomes:
  The department has a Board Certification rate of over 95% over the past 15 years, and has sent its graduates to many academic and private practices throughout North America. A survey of our graduates' employers/practices, done over the past 3 years, reveals a high satisfaction rate and respect for our graduates' training and clinical expertise.

• Applications:
  All Residency applications are through ERAS and the National Residency Matching Program. Inquiries can be directed to Regina Miner .

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