Henry Ford St. John Hospital Program

The objectives of the Ascension St. John Anesthesiology Residency Program are to provide high-quality graduate medical education in a supervised and academic atmosphere that prepares resident physicians to practice comprehensive, scientific, safe, and cost-effective anesthesia. Training revolves around the mission of Ascension Southeast Michigan Health, which is to deliver patient-centered, safe, and compassionate care. This is accomplished by milestone-based training, utilizing the six core competencies outlined by the ACGME: Patient Care and Procedural Skills, Medical Knowledge, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-based Practice. Our goal is that by the end of residency, graduates of this program are superior anesthesiologists well-prepared for the next phase of their careers in general anesthesia, subspecialty training, or academic medicine 1.

Program Overview

The Ascension St. John Anesthesiology Residency Program includes 8 categorical residents in each academic year. The Clinical Base Year (CBY) rotations are all conducted at Ascension St John, while Clinical Anesthesia (CA) rotations primarily take place at Ascension St John, with additional practice sites including Ascension Macomb, Ascension Providence, and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Annually, all faculty are involved in the organization and implementation of the anesthesia teaching program. Residents receive training in various subspecialties of anesthesia, supervised by subspecialty faculty, including Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Pediatric Anesthesia, Obstetric Anesthesia, Neuro Anesthesia, Regional Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Critical Care 1.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages resident participation in research activities, providing access to a dedicated team focused on clinical scholarly activity. Residents are supported in conducting original research, attending conferences, and presenting their findings, allowing them to contribute to the field and gain valuable experience in academic medicine 1.

Conference and Educational Programs

The Ascension St. John Anesthesiology Residency Program offers a robust and structured didactic system designed to ensure residents are well-prepared for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) examinations and their future careers. The curriculum includes a variety of educational activities including Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) and oral board reviews 2. Didactic sessions often take place in the Simulation Center, utilizing high-fidelity simulation to enhance learning and solidify theoretical knowledge through practical application 2.

Program Highlights

Ascension St. John Hospital is a 714-bed community hospital known for clinical excellence and comprehensive, coordinated medical care. It serves as a regional referral center, providing advanced care in various specialties including cardiology, oncology, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and pediatrics. The anesthesiology department boasts 24/7 in-house attending anesthesiologist coverage for all anesthetizing locations, ensuring residents receive hands-on experience in a wide variety of cases 4.

Rotation Schedule

The rotation schedule consists of Clinical Base Year rotations covering various specialties such as Internal Medicine, General Surgery, and Emergency Room, followed by detailed Clinical Anesthesia rotations. The Curriculum is structured to provide extensive exposure to basic anesthesia, surgical ICU, regional anesthesia, and specialized areas such as neuro and pediatric anesthesia 8.

Benefits and Compensation

Residents receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes access to medical resources such as UpToDate, New England Journal of Medicine, and others. They are provided with an iPad, daily free lunch, and a food stipend alongside wellness and educational stipends. Additionally, the program offers health insurance, dental insurance, vacation time, and more 6.

Resident Wellness

Recognizing the importance of wellness in the residency experience, the program provides a generous annual wellness stipend for self-care activities and access to mental health resources. Activities include social outings, department picnics, and wellness workshops, contributing to residents' overall well-being 7.

Visa Support

The program is open to both U.S. and international applicants. It offers support for J-1 and H-1B visa sponsorship, making it accessible for international medical graduates. This inclusivity enhances the program’s competitiveness, welcoming a diverse range of residents from various educational backgrounds.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Ascension St. John Anesthesiology Residency Program is known to be competitive, especially for U.S. medical graduates and allied health professionals. While the program does consider American Osteopathic graduates and international medical graduates, candidates are generally expected to have a strong academic record and may need to meet specific application criteria such as graduating within a certain timeframe and limiting the number of failed STEP exams 1.