Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology is the practice of medicine focused on the perioperative care of patients and the treatment of pain. The field is predominantly a hospital or ambulatory surgery-based specialty, which cares for patients acutely preoperatively, postoperatively and in critical care units. It also involves the treatment of acute and chronic pain as one of its major subspecialties.

The practice of anesthesiology includes a wide spectrum of patients: all ages and degrees of illness are cared for. The subspecialties include pediatric, cardiothoracic, neuroanesthesiology, obstetrical, regional anesthesiology, transplant anesthesiology, ambulatory anesthesia as well as critical care medicine and pain management. Individuals interested in anesthesiology are those who enjoy physiology and applied pharmacology in the clinical setting. They must be comfortable with managing acute life-threatening problems and enjoy working in the operating room. Crisis management, excellent communication, and working within teams are also important skills for anesthesiologists to possess.

Residency Training

  • Duration of training: Internship + three years, with an optional PG5 year with a fellowship
  • Number of programs nationally: 153
  • Number of entering residency positions per year: ~1900
  • Types of fellowships or subspecialties: Pediatric, Cardiac, Obstetrical, Neuro, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Management
  • Type of Match: Categorical, Advanced and Regular
  • Overall competitiveness of the specialty: Moderately Competitive 

Primary Faculty Contact for M1s and M2s

Becca Nause-Osthoff, MD
Director, Medical Student Education
rnauseos@med.umich.edu

Matt Wixson MD
Assistant Director, Medical Student Education
mwixson@umich.edu
734-232-6128

Savannah Powell
(Coordinator)     
spow@med.umich.edu   
734-936-4277

Medical Student Club or Interest Group

The anesthesia interest group meets every fall to meet residents, fellows and faculty. A Career Night is held prior to the residency application season to assist with strategies, disseminate information about programs, and provide mentorship

 Anesthesiology Student Interest Group (ASIG)

Available Fellowships

  • Critical Care
  • Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Interventional Pain Management
  • Regional/Ambulatory Anesthesia
  • Neuroanesthesia
  • Obstetric Anesthesia
  • Head and Neck Anesthesia

Shadowing or Mentoring Experiences for M1s or M2s

Becca Nause-Osthoff, MD
Director, Medical Student Education
rnauseos@med.umich.edu

Matt Wixson MD
Assistant Director, Medical Student Education
mwixson@umich.edu
734-232-6128

Savannah Powell
(Coordinator)      
spow@med.umich.edu   
734-936-4277

Resources