A Note from the Chiefs
Welcome to UCLA Anesthesiology! We are proud and excited to be a part of this department and share with you what we believe makes UCLA one of the premier training institutions nationwide.
Our training starts with a strong intern year. As part of our categorical program, our medical internship is primarily based at the West Los Angeles, Greater VA Medical Center. Interns are exposed to an ideal mix of “bread and butter” cases and complex patients referred from other VA hospitals in Southern California. Through regular didactics, our intern year provides a solid clinical foundation. Our incredible internal medicine attendings and senior residents treat us as their own. The highlight of intern year is the shared experiences amongst the class, making a tight-knit cohort during residency and beyond!
For the clinical anesthesiology residency years, UCLA residents are exposed to a variety of patients and hospitals, which creates well-rounded graduates that go on to become excellent anesthesiologists. Most clinical rotations are completed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, our flagship hospital located in Westwood next to the main UCLA campus. Our program and training is founded on complex, high acuity cases. Ronald Reagan Medical Center is a national leader in organ transplantation, various subspecialty surgeries, and a Level I Trauma Center. We consistently rank among the top hospitals in the nation by US News and World Reports. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Medical Center houses five subspecialized intensive care units, the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, and Mattel Children’s hospital, thus encompassing a complex and diverse patient population.
Residents also gain more of a community hospital experience at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. During this time, residents have ample learning opportunities to hone on both their general and regional anesthesia skills. Lastly, our training is enhanced by various partnerships including 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 teach trainees to adapt to different environments and varying practice styles.
Our department also has robust 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. For those inclined towards research, you can read more on opportunities available to residents through our Resident Research Pathway and Resident Scholars Program. We are also proud to expand these opportunities with the launch of a global health pathway this year that exposes residents to the unique challenges of providing anesthetic care in underserved communities worldwide.
After residency, half our graduates move on to complete fellowships in competitive subspecialties at programs of their choice. The rest of our graduates successfully practice both in academic and private practice settings. Our expanding nationwide alumni network in combination with our reputation for superb clinical training allows our graduates to secure some of the most coveted positions throughout the country.
While there are a number of residency programs that provide excellent clinical training, what sets us apart is our supportive culture forged by a unique blend of mentors and leaders in our department. Our Department Chair Maxime 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 and implementing resident feedback 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 become our second families.
Outside the ORs, Los Angeles is a spectacular city with endless metropolitan and outdoor adventures. We enjoy beautiful beaches and hiking in our backyard as well as the epic Sierra Nevada mountains with world-class ski resorts, which are only a short drive away. Los Angeles boasts a 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,
Sara Arastoo, MD, Chase Barker, MD, Mariana Gomez, MD, MBA, Jennifer Nam, MD, MBA
2023-2024 Chief Residents
UCLA Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine