Westchester Medical Center Program

Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship

The Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center is an ACGME accredited program designed to train fellows in advanced regional anesthesia and acute pain management. The fellowship aims to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of pain alleviation strategies for perioperative and trauma patients, preparing graduates to be expert consultants in the field.

Program Goals and Philosophy

The fellowship focuses on nurturing compassion, scholarship, citizenship, and inquisitiveness among trainees. The curriculum emphasizes the social determinants of pain and professionalism in patient care, advocating for both patients and the community while fostering lifelong learning. The program's unique aspect is its commitment to work-life balance; fellows are not required to work weekends starting with the 2025-26 cohort, and they receive at least 20% dedicated non-clinical time for self-directed learning and scholarly activities.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is well-structured, combining various teaching methods tailored to diverse learning styles, including didactics led by faculty, journal clubs, case conferences, ultrasound simulation training, and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) rotations. Fellows will also engage in multidisciplinary conferences with surgical colleagues to broaden their understanding of regional anesthesia and its applications in various surgical contexts.

Clinical Experience

Fellows will gain extensive clinical exposure at Westchester Medical Center, participating in diverse surgical procedures ranging from Level 1 trauma care, deformity corrections, pediatric surgeries, and transplants, to burns and vascular surgeries. The program performs around 4,000 nerve blocks and over 400 continuous peripheral nerve catheters annually, using ultrasound, landmarks, and other advanced techniques for regional anesthesia administration. This hands-on experience is critical for developing competency in various regional anesthesia techniques.

Rotational Structure

Fellows will have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of rotations, including five months focused on regional anesthesia, three months in acute pain management, and an additional month dedicated to chronic/interventional pain management. They will participate in a preoperative anesthesia clinic for one week and a one-week POCUS rotation, with flexibility to pursue other tailored electives pending milestone achievement.

Scholarly Activities

The fellowship requires active participation in scholarly projects and encourages fellows to engage in department research, although participation remains voluntary. Fellows are expected to assist with medical student simulations and complete practice-based learning projects, culminating in presentations at local or national conferences.

Evaluation Process

Fellow assessment includes feedback from faculty and multi-source evaluations involving peers, residents, and nursing staff, shared confidentially with the Clinical Competency Committee. Comprehensive feedback will be provided semi-annually by the program director, ensuring continuous professional development and monitoring of milestones.

Competitiveness and Requirements

The fellowship is competitive, with a select number of positions offered; therefore, prospective applicants should prepare thoroughly. Candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited Anesthesia Residency program or its equivalent. The program is inclusive and welcomes applications from international medical graduates, with a commitment to evaluating candidates fairly.

Visa Support

Westchester Medical Center offers support for J-1 visa sponsorship and may consider H1B visas for exceptional candidates. This makes the program appealing for international medical graduates seeking training in the United States.

Application Requirements

Applicants must provide a variety of documents, including a photo ID, several letters of recommendation (with at least one from the primary anesthesiology residency program director), medical school diploma, transcripts, and USMLE scores. Specific requirements regarding graduation year and any failed STEP exams may be outlined in further details.