Residency Program

The Anesthesiology Residency Program is a diverse, close-knit community of residents who play a vital role in delivering high-quality care to a broad and complex patient population at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Our residency training program draws its strength from the breadth of hands-on clinical experience, the depth of our faculty’s expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing the field of anesthesiology and improving the lives of our patients. Residents receive exceptional education in a collegial, family-friendly culture that supports both professional development and personal well-being.

Residents may complete their internship at the University of Minnesota Medical School through a partnership with Hennepin County Medical Center, or they may apply for an advanced position at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and complete an internship at another accredited program. This flexibility allows residents to train within different systems, work with diverse colleagues and faculty, and explore another community if desired.

Why Minnesota

During the most recent residency interview sessions, we asked applicants what makes the University of Minnesota a competitive and desirable anesthesiology training program. Common themes included:

The quality and diversity of clinical cases, with early exposure to subspecialty training
A strong academic reputation, institutional support and investment in research during and after residency, multiple academic pathways, and excellent post-residency fellowship placement
A positive and supportive culture, with a clear commitment to resident well-being and sustainable work-life balance

Director's Message

I believe the anesthesiology residency at the University of Minnesota will give you an exceptional clinical training in a diverse environment of a university hospital. You will become proficient in processes of quality improvement, patient safety, education, management and leadership.

We practice in anesthesia care team model and as a resident in our residency you will gain experience in managing multiple rooms, managing operating room suits and managing surgery center environment, all skills required of you in real life. Your regional and acute pain experience will far exceed any of the requirements and will make you a confident anesthesiologist, able to practice high level anesthesia care in any environment.

Your learning will happen in a supportive learning environment, which allows for individualized learning experience for each of you. You will have opportunity to practice your skills in a newly build 27,000 foot simulation center, with 2 fully equipped operating rooms and use our own anesthesiology department owned task trainers to learn point-of-care ultrasound, regional anesthesia techniques, line placement, etc.

We are very proud to be able to offer combined pathways, where you can complete residency and masters programs in healthcare administration, healthcare education, business administration within the 4 years you will spend with us.

Our Global Health Program allows for you to travel around the world, provide medical care in global environments and teach anesthesia techniques to anesthesiology providers in Uganda, Botswana, India, Honduras…

Please join our team and gain exceptional training, opportunities for your personal development and develop lifelong friendships with your classmates.

Mojca Remskar, MD, PhD, MACM,
Program Director

Dr. Remskar Talks With the ASA

Dr. Mojca Remskar, Residency Program Director, sat down to talk with Rebecca Tsai, President of the ASA Medical Student Component, to share advice for applicants and insights into what makes our program unique.

Additional Information

Expand all

Additional Information

Academics

To provide an optimal learning environment, our 10-resident per class program is large enough to offer comprehensive training, yet small enough to foster close mentorship and individualized attention from faculty. Our department’s size and educational philosophy encourage strong working relationships. Each resident is paired with two faculty advisors who provide both professional guidance and personal support. Collaboration is emphasized over competition, and residents are encouraged to become teachers themselves as they progress through the program.

Our didactic curriculum includes lectures, simulation sessions, problem-based learning, reading seminars, web-based educational programs, a comprehensive TTE/TEE curriculum, journal clubs, board review sessions, mock oral examinations, workshops, quality improvement projects, and practice management curricula. These structured learning opportunities allow residents to develop an extensive and well-rounded knowledge base in anesthesiology. We prioritize education by providing protected didactic time each day.

Residents are expected to demonstrate scholarship through participation in scholarly activities such as research, quality improvement initiatives, and educational projects. For residents with a strong interest in academic discovery, we offer a dedicated Resident Researcher Pathway. This pathway supports more extensive original research and is designed for those planning careers that include a significant scholarly component.

Each year, two residents are selected and supported by the department chair and residency program director to participate in the Resident Leadership Academy. Developed by the Graduate Medical Education Office, this program is designed to cultivate future physician leaders.

Clinical Training

Our residents care for a diverse patient population ranging from neonates to geriatric patients, including individuals with genetic disorders, transplant recipients, and patients with both routine and highly complex medical needs. Clinical experience includes general and subspecialty anesthesia, regional anesthesia, acute and chronic pain management, and intensive care unit patient care, providing a broad and balanced clinical foundation.

Residents gain exposure to a wide range of practice models and care environments, including the perioperative surgical home, outpatient surgery settings, and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols.

A key component of our training is experience working within a care team model alongside Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), reflecting the practice environment used in many regions across the United States.

Residents complete their clinical base year at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. This year is designed to provide broad foundational training in medical disciplines relevant to anesthesiology. The transitional year program director and anesthesiology residency program director work closely together to ensure a cohesive and high-quality experience, which includes a dedicated month in our main operating rooms.

We respect our residents’ personal time and recognize the importance of maintaining balance. Reasonable work hours and predictable schedules make our program well suited for residents with families and other commitments outside of training.

Combined Pathway Program

The Combined Pathway Program allows trainees the opportunity to pursue other advanced degrees during their anesthesiology training, such as an MBA, MHA or MPH.

Dr. Dip Shukla, a former resident, answered several questions on his experience and take-aways from the program.

Why did you choose the combined pathway program?
The Combined Pathway Program gave me the opportunity to explore my interests outside of medicine in a way that allows me to build cross-disciplinary expertise. I had a long-standing interest in learning about the business of healthcare and how we can impact care beyond clinical practice. I chose to participate in the MBA program as a resident because I believe it will enrich my understanding of how our healthcare system cares for patients and how I can interact with the system.
When did you decide to go ahead with the program?
After learning about this program during residency interviews, it was an important part of my consideration process for match rankings. I finally decided to go ahead with the program a few months into my PGY1 year. This allowed enough time to understand the residency workload, learn more about the program, and meet application deadlines for the master’s program.
How was the application process to the Masters program?
The application process for the Masters Program was similar to past applications for college and residency. It required a personal statement, letters of recommendation, a program specific application, and interview. Some programs also require additional standardized exam scores (GRE or GMAT) beyond the MCAT and USMLEs as a part of the process that can add of the time commitment and lead time for applications.
How was the Department of Anesthesia process to get tuition support?
The process of getting tuition support once accepted into the program was relatively effortless. It required notifying the program finance department that I was enrolled in classes for the semester, and they coordinate to make the payment by the due date. For course materials not a part of tuition, like books and other course materials, there is a reimbursement process that can be used.
How is the mentorship on both the program side and the Department side?
There are advisors available from both the Masters program and residency department. Dr. Thomas serves as our main point of contact from the residency program, with additional support from chief residents to aid in scheduling for classes and residency rotations. There is flexibility around how much you need to utilize these resources, but they are available as needed.
How did you balance your time between the residency and the Master's program?
Balancing residency commitments with the Masters program takes planning and forethought. Time management is key to being able to do both, and doing a little bit everyday makes it possible. I create dedicated time slots for classes around my residency schedule for homework and reading. An important aspect is to also work with the chief residents to schedule for Masters courses so that they don’t conflict with clinical duties. It also helps to take some time every week to plan out deadlines and forecast commitments.
What advice would you give your peers now that you are well into the residency and the Masters program?
Advice I received that I found helpful when I started the program is the importance of going slow and steady in approaching both commitments and asking for help when needed. Both endeavors are challenging individually, and definitely when attempted together. Breaking down requirements from each into more manageable portions makes it more achievable and less stressful.
What do you think about this opportunity that the Department of Anesthesiology provides?
Clinical anesthesia training is the main priority, but what I learn through this program enriches how I think about the care we deliver. I also get to develop a skillset in something I have an interest in beyond residency. I would encourage others to take part in the program if it will help them achieve their downstream personal or professional goals. This is a great opportunity, but also represents a significant commitment of time and effort.
What would you do differently if you had the opportunity to replan your residency and the Masters program from the beginning?
If I had the opportunity to replan the Masters program and residency, I would start the process earlier. Applying earlier in PGY1 year, or near the start of residency, would have afforded me the flexibility to spread out my course load over a greater amount of time. I would also have placed greater upfront effort, with joint contributions from both programs, in designing my academic schedule to make them as compatible as possible.
What do you think about the tax implications that you were made aware of when you do the program?
The tax implications are an important factor when considering the program. The impact is difficult to generalize but can be substantial based on personal finances and commitments. While providing support to make the program possible, it may have impacts like increasing your tax bracket / assessment and lowering your post-tax take home pay. Prior to deciding on participating in the program, meeting with a tax expert may be helpful. Based on my life situation, the cost of living in Minneapolis, and financial commitments, the opportunity was worth the tax impact.

Fellowship Placement

Many of our residents pursue fellowship training at highly regarded institutions across the country following graduation. From cardiothoracic anesthesia to pain medicine and regional anesthesia, our graduates consistently match into competitive fellowship programs that allow them to further develop their expertise. Recent fellowship placements include:

Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
Cleveland Clinic, University of Colorado, Columbia, University of Minnesota, USC, Tufts, Vanderbilt, Yale

Pediatric Anesthesia
Boston Children’s, University of Minnesota, Tufts

Pain Medicine
Cleveland Clinic, University of Colorado, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, University of Utah

Critical Care Medicine
UC Irvine, Columbia, University of Minnesota

Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain
University of Minnesota, Virginia Mason, University of Virginia, University of Washington

Obstetric Anesthesia
University of Chicago

Workshops

Ultrasound Workshops
With the exception of the heart dissection lab, all ultrasound workshops utilize live models, allowing residents to practice image acquisition and interpretation in real time while focusing on specific organ systems.

Lung Ultrasound Workshop
This workshop includes pre-workshop e-learning, followed by hands-on scanning using both low- and high-frequency ultrasound probes on healthy volunteers. Residents learn to identify lung sliding, A- and B-lines, pleural effusions, and BLUE protocol points, as well as techniques for identifying and ruling out pneumothorax.

Gastric Ultrasound Workshop
After completing pre-workshop e-learning, residents practice imaging the stomach in both supine and lateral positions. The workshop focuses on assessing gastric contents and estimating gastric volume using live models.

Airway Ultrasound Workshop
This workshop includes pre-workshop e-learning and hands-on instruction using high-frequency ultrasound probes. Residents learn to identify airway anatomy, including the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, tracheal rings, cricothyroid membrane, and cervical esophagus.

FAST Exam Workshop
Residents practice performing the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam on live models, learning to rapidly evaluate the heart and abdominal organs for signs of acute pathology.

Heart Dissection Lab
In this unique lab, residents are guided through the dissection of a pig heart to correlate cardiac anatomy with echocardiographic imaging. Participants compare ultrasound images with physical anatomy and learn how echocardiographic views correspond to structural landmarks. A cardiac surgeon also reviews common cannulation sites and surgical approaches used in cardiac procedures.