Classy Chairs of Anesthesiology Residency Programs

[checkov]

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One of the main reasons I chose anesthesiology was the fact that most anesthesiologists were calm, cool, and classy. Given that interview season has finished, I was curious if anyone was impressed by certain anesthesiology residency chairs and program directors. Personally, the top three people I was most impressed with are:

- Dr. Evers [Washington University @ St. Louis] -- had an awesome sense of humor. Would be interesting to find out how he built his program into such a research powerhouse.
- Dr. Hines [Yale] -- strongly reminded me of Maximus from Gladiator. Seemed like a great person to have at one's back. Very impressive.
- Dr. Tremper [Michigan] -- Strong visionary. Was impressed how he created the dominant bioinformatics program in the country. Seemed like a cool person to chill with.

Was anyone else impressed with other residency chairs / program directors?

 

[Camel]

The chair and PD at UKentucky were both impressive to me, particularly with regard to their integrity.

The chair at Case UH was on-the-ball as well (working to establish a 5-year anesthesiology/critical care dual board eligible residency).

 

[dmn3088]

The chair and PD at UKentucky were both impressive to me, particularly with regard to their integrity.

The chair at Case UH was on-the-ball as well (working to establish a 5-year anesthesiology/critical care dual board eligible residency).

I definitely agree about the chair and PD at Kentucky. They were both part of the reason that I ranked the program highly.

 

[SukaNeNauka]

I thought that the chair at Cleveland Clinic, David Brown, was extremely dedicated to residence education. I think all the residents there are very happy that he came on board and look forward to great improvements.

 

[DScully]

Dr. Schwartz [Yale] - amazing PD. People might think he is awkward, geeky, and shy, and he does not sound impressive during his presentation but he truly will do everything he can if you are a resident there. I have stories from fellow applicants / residents who would voucher for him without a doubt.

Dr. Pearl [Stanford] - another shy Chair, but you can tell how invested he is for the program. Very committed to the future of program, instead of his own personal ambition.

Dr. Fleisher [UPenn] - another geeky / slightly arrogant chair, but what I admire him is his honesty. He is willing to use his influence to change Penn's culture for the better and you have to at least give him some credits for standing up against the old tradition.

Dr. Vacanti [B&W] - able to see people beyond their qualifications on paper and create a welcoming environment for the staff. Willing to admit weakness and very involved in the process of making the department better.

 

[soonermd]

Dr. Pearl. (Stanford). I echo the above comments. Really a tremendous heart for the department. Seemed very dedicated to doing everything possible to get the anesthesia faculty and residents the tools necessary to succeed. Don't know that he makes the "want to chill with" list that Dr. Tremper made above, but that was not important to me.

Dr. Ulatowski. (Hopkins). Not in-your-face memorable, but very friendly and a brilliant business man in addition to leadership qualities - a lot of times business skill is lost on the chairperson. The only chairman from which I LEARNED something (actually multiple things) from during the interview day.

Dr. Evers. (WashU). More dedicated/involved with the RESIDENCY program than any chair I met. He took an HOUR to talk to the applicants about the program, which by the way is fantastic. Most of all, I remember he smiled (in a interesting way) after every time he said something we might not like - for example, "We are not dedicated to getting you home by 5:30...if you have a liver go until 7:30, you will stay here to do that case" cue slant eye twinkle and smile.

Dr. Fitch. (Oklahoma). In terms of pure quality, Oklahoma is an average program. However, Dr. Fitch is a dynamo who is active not just in anesthesia circles but in political circles as well. When we each become practicing anesthesiologists someday (roughly 4.25 years) and are still able to make a great salary (despite endless negative threads on SDN), we can thank Dr. Fitch for her work as a part of many who are fighting for our unique skill set to be honored at the governmental level.

 

[amyl]

i will second the notions about Dr Brown and Dr Fitch and Dr Hagberg

 

[Jeep23Guy]

Dr. Andrews in San Antonio is a pretty amazing guy. He has done and is doing great things for the program.

Dr. Hagberg at UT-Houston was pretty awesome too. She actually taught a pig trachea lab to all candidates on interview day. She's taking that program in a much better direction than they were previously headed.

 

[Gimlet]

One in particular sticks out from my interview season last year: Dr. Kirsch at OHSU. Rides his bicycle to work every day. Takes call in the OR on weekends (find me another chairperson who does THAT)!

Too bad I bombed my interview with him.

 

[drusso]

One in particular sticks out from my interview season last year: Dr. Kirsch at OHSU. Rides his bicycle to work every day. Takes call in the OR on weekends (find me another chairperson who does THAT)!

Too bad I bombed my interview with him.

I did indeed find that very impressive about Dr. Kirsch. I was a non-anesthesiology pain fellow taking call in an anesthesiology department and when I encountered the department Chairman taking call on a HOLIDAY weekend along side me I was, well, impressed...

I wish that his work ethic permeated the rest of academic medicine.

 

[lfesiam]

I did indeed find that very impressive about Dr. Kirsch. I was a non-anesthesiology pain fellow taking call in an anesthesiology department and when I encountered the department Chairman taking call on a HOLIDAY weekend along side me I was, well, impressed...

I wish that his work ethic permeated the rest of academic medicine.

I was at OHSU rotating as a student/ interview. 2nd Dr. Kirsch.

Also 2nd Dr. Fitch who took the OU program to a new level since her arrival 🙂

 

[DrDre']

Was hoping someone would shout out Dr. Kirsch.

He is a great resident advocate. Leads by example. Mops the floors to speed up turnover, takes overnight call twice a week, including every Friday night.

Takes more call than any resident or attending at OHSU. Donates his extra income to the Department and charities.

He is one of the most amazing people Ive ever known.

One in particular sticks out from my interview season last year: Dr. Kirsch at OHSU. Rides his bicycle to work every day. Takes call in the OR on weekends (find me another chairperson who does THAT)!

Too bad I bombed my interview with him.