UPMC Medical Education Program

The Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship at the program consists of a comprehensive 12-month training regimen, specifically designed for physicians who have successfully completed an anesthesiology residency. The fellowship aims to empower participants to attain specialized expertise in regional anesthesia, acute pain management techniques, and the foundational theory behind these practices.

The program facilitates hands-on learning in a variety of techniques, including lower and upper extremity blocks, paravertebral injections, thoracic wall procedures specifically PECS I & II, and TAP blocks. Emphasis is placed on both single-shot and continuous techniques, with a strong focus on ultrasound guidance and neurostimulation methods to optimize patient outcomes. Furthermore, fellows are actively involved in managing postoperative care according to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.

Curriculum and Training Opportunities

Each fellow is expected to perform more than 1,000 blocks annually, gaining considerable experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. The fellowship includes participation in weekly formal lectures, monthly journal clubs, and an annual fresh cadaver dissection workshop. Additionally, fellows will be encouraged to present at various local, regional, and national meetings and engage in clinically significant research.

The training experience is distributed across five hospitals and three ambulatory centers, ensuring a broad exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical scenarios. Primary training sites include UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where extensive pediatric and obstetric experience is anticipated, as well as UPMC Mercy and UPMC Presbyterian for trauma and burn cases. UPMC Passavant will enhance the fellow's skills through focused education on lower extremity and paravertebral nerve blocks.

Faculty and Supervision

Fellowship training is conducted under the direct supervision of highly qualified faculty members specializing in regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine. The faculty members play an integral role in both clinical and didactic education, consistently providing valuable feedback and assessment to ensure fellows develop the requisite knowledge and technical skills for successful practice in this subspecialty.

Application Process and Requirements

The program offers 15 fellowship positions annually and applications are open for both in-match and post-match candidates. Applicants must hold ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residencies or equivalent training, and must submit a range of application materials, including a current CV, personal statement, USMLE scores for Steps 1, 2, and 3, and three letters of reference, one of which should come from the residency director.

The application process allows for ongoing submissions, providing flexibility for potential candidates. Out-of-match applicants must complete the ASRA common application, while those participating in the San Francisco Match must register and upload the requisite documents on that platform.

Special Considerations

This fellowship program is noted for its inclusivity, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds including DOs and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Recognizing the competitiveness of the program, the fellowship's rigorous curriculum and extensive training opportunities aim to support candidates in their professional growth.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa support, including the potential sponsorship of various visa types for international applicants. This ensures accessibility for qualified physicians globally who wish to enhance their training in the United States.

Unique Aspects

Distinctive features of the fellowship include the significant procedural volume, with a total of over 42,000 blocks performed annually, and a focus on not just technical skills, but also an understanding of patient outcomes and financial-related matters in anesthesia practice.