A Note from the Chiefs
Hello and welcome to UCLA Anesthesiology! We are proud to be part of this department, and we are thrilled to introduce you to our program and share what we believe makes UCLA one of the premier training institutions in the country.
UCLA residents rotate at multiple sites that prepare our graduates to be superb anesthesiologists. Our training is founded on exposure to complex cases and high clinical acuity at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, our flagship hospital located on the main university campus in Westwood. The vast majority of clinical rotations are completed at Ronald Reagan, both a national leader in organ transplantation and a Level I Trauma Center. We are consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by US News & World Reports. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Medical Center houses five subspecialized intensive care units, the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, and Mattel Children’s Hospital–encompassing a truly complex and diverse patient population. We also spend time at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, our orthopedic hospital that provides a more community feel. This site offers residents ample learning opportunities in both general and regional anesthesia. Finally, our training is enhanced by partnerships with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, West LA VA Medical Center, UCLA-Olive View Medical Center, and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. These affiliate training sites provide exposure to varying practice styles, allowing trainees to adapt to different environments –a necessary skill for life beyond residency.
Although we are intensely proud of our anesthesiology training, the program is not complete without a strong intern year. We are a categorical program with a medical internship year that is primarily performed at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The VA provides an ideal mix of “bread and butter” cases with more complex patients that have been referred from other VAs throughout Southern California. Our intern year provides a strong clinical foundation with a thorough didactic program and outstanding internal medicine attendings and senior residents. One of the best things about intern year is the shared experience among the class–it makes our classes extremely tight-knit cohorts.
For those inclined towards research, our department has ample opportunities for participation in basic science, translational, and clinical research. Many of our faculty members are top recipients of NIH grant awards and leaders in their respective fields, making exceptional mentors. You can read more about research opportunities available to residents through our Resident Research Pathway and Resident Scholars Program.
After residency, approximately half of our graduates complete specialty fellowships, routinely landing competitive positions at the program of their choice. Those who choose to not pursue fellowship go on to successfully practice in both academic and private practice settings. Our nation-wide alumni network and reputation for superb clinical training helps our graduates secure some of the most coveted positions throughout the country.
While we love being a part of UCLA, it is no secret that there are a number of residency programs throughout the country that also provide excellent clinical training. What sets us apart is our supportive culture forged by a unique blend of people. Our Department Chair Maximme Cannesson, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of Education Judi Turner, MD, PhD, Residency Program Director Jack Buckley, MD, and Associate Program Director Christine Myo-Bui, MD are all aspirational leaders and tireless resident advocates. We are incredibly fortunate that our leadership is constantly seeking resident feedback and working towards ways to improve an already fantastic program. Year after year, our residents form strong friendships with each other, evidenced by our daily lunch gatherings (find us on the patio outside the cafeteria), call-team dinner traditions, and extracurricular group activities (including beach days, dinners, hikes, & concerts). Our co-residents are our second families.
Finally, outside the OR Los Angeles is a spectacular city with endless metropolitan and outdoor adventures. We enjoy beautiful beaches and hiking in our backyard, while the epic Sierra Nevada mountains with world class ski resorts are a short drive away. Los Angeles boasts rich culture, countless food options from taco stands to Michelin-star restaurants, world-renowned concert venues, professional and college sports, and the ability to live outside all year-round.
Graduates of our program are well-rounded anesthesiologists capable of caring for the most complex and critical patients. Moreover, our department is diverse, supportive, and fun. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this program, and we look forward to getting to know our applicants this season!
Sincerely,
Maryte Gylys, MD, MBA, John Kleinman, MD, Ramita Rahimian, MD, and Peter Schnaack, MD, MBE
2022-2023 Chief Residents
UCLA Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine