McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship

The ACGME-accredited Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM) Fellowship is an intensive 12-month program located at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, encompassing two key teaching facilities: Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (LCH). This fellowship aims to develop future leaders in the subspecialty through extensive mentorship, clinical exposure, and a robust educational framework.

Fellows in this program will receive comprehensive training in both adult and pediatric regional anesthesiology. They will be engaged in theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills essential for executing complex regional anesthetic plans for various surgeries.

Training and Curriculum

The RAAPM Fellowship curriculum integrates extensive clinical training and didactic educational experiences. The fellows will function as critical members of the anesthesia team, collaborating closely with residents and faculty to hone their procedural skills and supervisory abilities. Over the course of the fellowship, fellows will rotate primarily at NMH for 9 months, where they will gain insights into regional anesthesiology through six months of focused training and three months in acute pain management, alongside two weeks in a chronic pain clinic. The fellows will also spend three months at LCH, focusing on pediatric anesthesiology and acute pain management specific to younger populations.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research and scholarly activities under faculty mentorship. The program provides 25 protected nonclinical days for pursuing approved research projects, and each fellow is expected to complete at least one quality improvement project aimed at enhancing healthcare quality. Research topics may range from clinical reviews to original studies presented at national meetings such as the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA).

Clinical Rotations and Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities are designed to encompass a diverse array of procedures. At NMH, fellows will be exposed to various clinical venues including the orthopedic operating pavilion, offering significant volume and complexity of surgery cases. They will hone their skills in performing nerve blocks, managing acute pain services, and administrating multimodal analgesic techniques. At LCH, the focus will be on pediatric populations, where fellows will implement analgesic strategies in infants and children.

Benefits and Stipend

The fellowship offers a stipend of $87,376 per year, along with additional benefits including a $700 education fund for professional development, paid memberships to ASRA and ASA, and financial support for attending national meetings where fellows present their research. There are also opportunities for voluntary paid call in the operating rooms, ensuring fellows gain further practical experience.

Application and Eligibility

The application process requires candidates to submit essential materials, including a curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and documentation showcasing prior training and examination results. Candidates must be eligible for certification by the American Board of Anesthesiology and must have completed USMLE Step 3. Specific documentation regarding prior regional anesthesia rotations is also necessary to assess the preparedness of applicants for the fellowship.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The program is known to be competitive, welcoming applications from both DO and IMG candidates, provided they meet the necessary educational and licensing criteria. The fellowship offers visa sponsorship options, including H-1B and J-1 visa categories for eligible international medical graduates.

Evaluation and Milestones

Fellows will undergo regular evaluations on a quarterly basis, assessing their progress according to ACGME milestones. Each fellow must complete a scholarly project suitable for publication and deliver at least one presentation at a national meeting, thus ensuring they develop the necessary academic and clinical expertise throughout the program.