National Capital Consortium Program

The Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine fellowship program is hosted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. This program is designed specifically for the military medical community, providing unique training experiences in top-tier facilities. The fellowship encompasses a duration of one year and requires prior completion of an anesthesiology residency.

Program Overview

The fellowship aims to cultivate expertise in regional anesthesia, focusing on perioperative patient management who receive neuraxial or peripheral nerve blocks for anesthesia and analgesia. Through hands-on training and educational sessions, fellows learn to manage acute pain effectively and are expected to foster teaching skills that contribute to the education of others in the specialty. This comprehensive approach ensures fellows not only become proficient in regional anesthesia but also develop the skills of an educator.

Fellows will participate in multiple educational activities, including weekly lectures, grand rounds at WRNMMC, and access to numerous resources designed to enhance their clinical decision-making and teaching abilities.

Mission, Vision, and Aims

The mission of the Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine fellowship is to train adept professionals who are dedicated to advancing the specialty of regional anesthesia and acute pain management. The program envisions preparing fellows to become leaders and innovators in military medicine, equipped to support military operations globally. Over the course of the fellowship, fellows will enhance their skills in both cognitive and practical dimensions, focusing on patient selection techniques and optimal management for surgical recovery.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum consists of rigorous training with approximately 6 to 7 months dedicated to rotations in regional anesthesiology, 1 month in chronic pain management, and 4 months in acute pain management. Additionally, fellows may opt for a research month instead of one regional rotation, though overall research days will be adjusted accordingly. Rotational opportunities mainly occur at WRNMMC but include three months at other esteemed institutions such as the University of Maryland, University of Florida, and Brooke Army Medical Center.

Teaching and educational leadership are integral parts of the curriculum, with fellows expected to present at grand rounds and oversee anesthesia resident training in practical settings. The program emphasizes interactions among peers and experts through structured mentorship, contributing significantly to the professional development of fellows.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Research efforts are supported and encouraged throughout the fellowship. Each fellow is expected to engage in ongoing projects and has the opportunity to propose and complete their own initiatives. The program enables attendance at two significant conferences annually, promoting broader engagement within the medical community and offering valuable networking opportunities.

Application Process and Special Requirements

The fellowship program maintains specific prerequisites for applicants: eligible candidates must be board-eligible or board-certified in anesthesiology. The application process typically includes a clinical rotation within the fellowship, after which interviews may be conducted either in person or virtually, depending on the applicant's location. This accessibility to interviews accommodates diverse candidates, ensuring a broad range of applicants from varying backgrounds and experiences.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship is not only geared towards U.S. applicants but also extends visa support to international medical graduates (IMGs) and U.S. citizens, sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visa types as needed. This flexibility caters to a competitive applicant pool, concurrently remaining inclusive of candidates from diverse educational backgrounds, including DOs and IMGs. The fellowship is regarded as highly competitive, emphasizing a commitment to regional anesthesiology as a crucial subspecialty within anesthesiology.

Well-Being and Support

The RAAPM fellowship acknowledges the importance of mental health and well-being among its trainees. It integrates wellness modules into its training and provides numerous resources to foster resilience and mental wellness among faculty and trainees alike. Programs include monthly lectures on resiliency, individual support through Behavioral Health services, and additional wellness initiatives—all focused on ensuring that fellows thrive both personally and professionally.