Anesthesiology Residency Program
Our program prepares you to excel in all areas of anesthesia practice, from perioperative medicine to pain management and critical care.
Welcome to the Virtua Anesthesiology Residency Program, where we are committed to fostering clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, and professional growth. Our program is designed to offer a well-rounded education that balances hands-on clinical training with strong academic foundations.
About the Anesthesiology Residency Program
Thank you for your interest in our residency. We believe in creating an environment where residents are supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential, becoming confident, skilled, and compassionate anesthesiologists. From complex surgeries to cutting-edge pain management techniques, you will gain the experience needed to thrive in diverse clinical settings.
As part of our residency, you will work closely with experienced faculty who are dedicated to mentoring the next generation of anesthesiologists. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture that encourages both personal and professional development. Our graduates will be well-prepared for independent practice or advanced fellowship training, equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver safe, evidence-based anesthesia care.
At the Virtua Anesthesiology Residency Program, we are committed to achieving exceptional outcomes:
- Develop expertise in perioperative patient management, including preoperative evaluation, intraoperative anesthesia care, and postoperative recovery.
- Master a wide range of anesthesia techniques, from general to regional anesthesia, including the latest advancements in ultrasound-guided procedures.
- Achieve proficiency in managing critical care patients, with a focus on hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, and complex decision-making.
- Gain comprehensive knowledge in acute and chronic pain management, including multimodal approaches and interventional techniques.
- Understand the principles of pharmacology, including drug interactions and anesthetic agent effects on different organ systems.
- Build strong communication skills for effective teamwork, patient education, and coordination of care with surgical and medical teams.
- Cultivate leadership and professionalism, preparing you for the roles of educator, advocate, and leader within the healthcare community.
- Learn to manage and prevent complications in high-risk populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and obstetric patients.
- Develop research skills and contribute to the advancement of anesthesia through evidence-based practice and innovation.
- Prepare for board certification and life-long learning in anesthesiology, ensuring continuous professional growth and quality patient care.
Why Choose the Virtua Anesthesiology Residency?
Strong Academic Affiliation
Our program is academically affiliated with one of the region’s leading medical schools. The Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine offers residents access to cutting-edge research, renowned faculty, and numerous opportunities for scholarly activity. We are committed to fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation, ensuring that our residents stay at the forefront of advancements in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.
Strong Academic Affiliation
Our program is academically affiliated with one of the region’s leading medical schools. The Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine offers residents access to cutting-edge research, renowned faculty, and numerous opportunities for scholarly activity. We are committed to fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation, ensuring that our residents stay at the forefront of advancements in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.
Comprehensive Clinical Training
Virtua is South Jersey’s largest health system and has a longstanding reputation for award-winning patient care and clinical leadership. Forbes Best Employer, Reputation’s 800 Award, Modern Healthcare’s “Best Places to Work,” NJBIX Health Care Heroes, Becker’s Great Leaders in Healthcare, Top Docs…Virtua consistently achieves recognition for a high quality of work. Our program provides diverse clinical experiences at Virtua’s multiple high-volume hospitals and surgical centers. Residents are exposed to a wide range of cases, from complex tertiary care procedures to community-based practices, preparing them to confidently manage a variety of clinical scenarios in any setting.
Comprehensive Clinical Training
Virtua is South Jersey’s largest health system and has a longstanding reputation for award-winning patient care and clinical leadership. Forbes Best Employer, Reputation’s 800 Award, Modern Healthcare’s “Best Places to Work,” NJBIX Health Care Heroes, Becker’s Great Leaders in Healthcare, Top Docs…Virtua consistently achieves recognition for a high quality of work. Our program provides diverse clinical experiences at Virtua’s multiple high-volume hospitals and surgical centers. Residents are exposed to a wide range of cases, from complex tertiary care procedures to community-based practices, preparing them to confidently manage a variety of clinical scenarios in any setting.
Holistic Approach to Patient Care
We prioritize a holistic approach to anesthesia, with a focus on personalized patient care. Our residents are trained not only in the technical aspects of anesthesia but also in the compassionate and ethical dimensions of the field. We believe that empathetic communication, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential skills for anesthesia providers.
Holistic Approach to Patient Care
We prioritize a holistic approach to anesthesia, with a focus on personalized patient care. Our residents are trained not only in the technical aspects of anesthesia but also in the compassionate and ethical dimensions of the field. We believe that empathetic communication, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential skills for anesthesia providers.
Prime Location with Affordable Living
Philadelphia offers a vibrant cultural and historical landscape, alongside a lower cost of living compared to other major cities on the East Coast. With affordable housing options, a rich food scene, and easy access to public transportation, our residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle that supports both professional and personal well-being.
Prime Location with Affordable Living
Philadelphia offers a vibrant cultural and historical landscape, alongside a lower cost of living compared to other major cities on the East Coast. With affordable housing options, a rich food scene, and easy access to public transportation, our residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle that supports both professional and personal well-being.
Career-Ready Graduates
Our program’s strong clinical and academic foundation ensures that graduates are prepared for a wide array of career paths, whether it be fellowship training, academic medicine, or community practice. We offer robust mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities, with a track record of high job placement rates both locally and nationally.
Career-Ready Graduates
Our program’s strong clinical and academic foundation ensures that graduates are prepared for a wide array of career paths, whether it be fellowship training, academic medicine, or community practice. We offer robust mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities, with a track record of high job placement rates both locally and nationally.
More Information
PGY-1
The first year of our Program is designed to provide a strong foundation in general medicine and surgery, preparing residents for the complexities of anesthesia care. During this year, residents rotate through internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, and the intensive care unit, gaining valuable experience in managing a diverse range of patients and conditions. These rotations develop essential clinical skills, including patient assessment, acute care management, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Residents are expected to take on increasing responsibility as they progress, honing their diagnostic abilities and decision-making under the guidance of experienced physicians. In the final months of the year, residents are introduced to anesthesia, where they learn basic anesthetic techniques, airway management, and the fundamentals of perioperative care. By the end of PGY-1, residents are well-equipped with the foundational skills needed to transition into their anesthesia training and confidently manage perioperative patients.
Rotations:
- Internal Medicine – 16 weeks
- General Surgery – 16 weeks
- Critical Care Medicine – 8 weeks
- Emergency Medicine – 4 weeks
- Anesthesia – 8 weeks
PGY-2 (CA-1)
The second year marks the first formal year of anesthesia training and is designed to immerse residents in the operating room environment. During this year, residents rotate across multiple operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers within our healthcare system, providing exposure to a wide variety of patients, surgical procedures, and clinical teams. This diversity helps residents develop critical anesthesia skills, including advanced airway management, anesthetic planning, and intraoperative decision-making, while working with a range of surgeons and anesthesiologists. In addition to the OR, residents begin their experiences on the labor and delivery floor, gaining exposure to obstetric anesthesia, as well as in the pain management service, where they start learning acute and chronic pain management techniques. They will also spend time in the intensive care unit and emergency department, building on their previous year’s experience in critical care and emergency medicine. By the end of PGY-2, residents will be expected to manage anesthesia cases more independently, laying the groundwork for more advanced training in specialized areas.
Rotations:
- Orientation – 4 weeks
- General Anesthesia – 32 weeks
- Obstetric Anesthesia – 4 weeks
- Critical Care Medicine – 4 weeks
- Emergency Medicine – 4 weeks
- Pain Management – 4 weeks
PGY-3 (CA-2)
The third year of our Program is dedicated to subspecialty training, allowing residents to advance their skills beyond the general operating room. During this year, residents will rotate through specialized areas including cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, pediatric, and transplant anesthesia, gaining experience in complex, high-risk cases. These rotations are designed to deepen their knowledge of advanced anesthetic techniques, patient management, and perioperative care specific to each subspecialty. Additionally, residents will return to the ICU to further develop their critical care skills and continue their training in the pain management service. This year also introduces residents to regional anesthesia and acute perioperative pain management, where they learn nerve blocks and other techniques to optimize postoperative pain control. By the end of PGY-3, residents are expected to manage more complex cases independently and apply specialized anesthetic care across diverse patient populations and clinical settings.
Rotations:
- Orientation (as Educators) – 4 weeks
- Cardiothoracic Anesthesia – 8 weeks
- Neurosurgical Anesthesia – 8 weeks
- Pediatric Anesthesia – 8 weeks
- Transplant Anesthesia – 4 weeks
- Critical Care Medicine – 4 weeks
- Pain Management – 4 weeks
- Regional Anesthesia – 4 weeks
- Acute Perioperative Pain – 4 weeks
- Ambulatory Anesthesia – 4 weeks
PGY-4 (CA-3)
The fourth year of our Program is designed to solidify advanced training while preparing residents for leadership roles and independent practice. Residents return to the general operating rooms, focusing on managing higher-acuity cases and working with unique or atypical surgical service lines, further refining their clinical expertise. This year emphasizes the transition to independent practice, with residents shadowing and assuming attending responsibilities, including supervising junior residents and leading anesthesia teams. Additionally, residents will rotate through pre-admission and recovery room services to strengthen their skills in perioperative patient care. Leadership development, mentorship, and preparation for board exams are key components of this year, ensuring residents are fully equipped for either entering practice or pursuing fellowship opportunities. By the end of PGY-4, residents are expected to demonstrate mastery in anesthesia care and confidently transition to the next phase of their careers.
Rotations:
- Research/Subspecialty Request – 4 weeks
- General Anesthesia – 24 weeks
- Regional Anesthesia – 8 weeks
- Obstetric Anesthesia – 4 weeks
- Pediatric Anesthesia – 4 weeks
- Clinical Leadership/Attending Role – 4 weeks
- Preadmission Testing – 2 weeks
- Post Anesthesia Care Unit – 2 weeks
One of the benefits of a Virtua Health residency is access to some of the highest-performing medical facilities in the region.
With five hospitals and more than 350 locations in South Jersey, Virtua provides residents with the opportunity to experience rotations in a wide variety of clinical settings with the guidance of highly qualified faculty.
As a resident of the Virtua Anesthesiology Residency Program, you will have the unique opportunity to work at the following Virtua facilities:
Is there a formal didactic curriculum, and what is its structure?
There is protected time each week for didactics and skills labs. There are also other scattered didactics that are rotation specific.
What programs exist for resident education (e.g., lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, board review courses, etc.)?
Each rotation/block includes didactics that include chapter review lectures and ground rounds. Small groups sessions include but aren’t limited to case discussion, problem based learning, and high-yield keyword/board review. There will also be journal club and simulation/skills labs built into the academic year.
What will the call schedule be like?
Junior residents will participate in general OR call coverage until they complete their rotations on labor and delivery. After passing this rotation, mid-level residents will transition to OB night call. Senior residents will then participate in heart and transplant call coverage.
Is there a formal mentoring program for new residents, and do faculty serve as mentors?
Each resident is expected to select a faculty member to serve as a mentor, in addition to the counsel offered by program leadership. Assignments will take place after the first few months of residency to allow for the best possible match between mentor and mentee.
Is there a research requirement? Is there a possibility of "protected" time for research?
Each resident is expected to complete a research objective and a quality improvement project within the 36 months of anesthesia training. Protected time can be offered on an as-needed basis, or as an elective rotation towards the end of residency. With the strengthening partnership with Rowan and the expansion of research initiatives at Virtua, more opportunities will avail themselves of residents being able to spend more time dedicated to research in the future.
What teaching responsibilities for medical students are expected of residents?
Virtua provides educational responsibilities to medical students from the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Our department hosts both MS3 students during their general surgery rotation, as well as MS4 students on elective rotation. Other trainees also participate in our onsite training, including paramedics and internal medicine residents. Our program encourages a “residents as teachers” mentality, where educating other clinical trainees reinforced one’s own ongoing development. However, we believe our anesthesia resident education is the top priority of our academic efforts.
Are there any other residency programs at Virtua?
Yes. Virtua has grown their GME residency programs due to our partnership with Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Please visit the Medical Education main page to see the other residency programs that Virtua has to offer.
Are there opportunities to do “away” rotations?
As a new program, the opportunities to do “away” rotations still lies in the future. The ability to do this will evolve as the residency evolves.
Is moonlighting allowed?
No. Under no circumstances is moonlighting allowed.
The Virtua Anesthesiology Residency faculty and staff are here to help you reach your professional and academic goals as a resident. Be sure to visit their online profiles to learn more about them, their clinical interests, and more.
Christopher Hoffman, DO – Program Director
Tina Christakos, MD – Associate Program Director
Kishor Gandhi, MD – Associate Program Director
Sarah Campbell, MD – Core Faculty
Benjamin Duckles, MD – Core Faculty
Hilary Hott, MD – Core Faculty
Julian Kertsman, MD – Core Faculty
Frank Knoll, MD – Core Faculty
Carlos Sanchez, DO – Core Faculty
You can view a list of all the current residents in the resource below.