A Note from the Chiefs
Welcome to UCLA’s Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine! We’re thrilled that you’re considering our program, and we hope this message helps convey the pride and excitement we feel about the opportunity to train at UCLA.
We are a categorical program with an intern year based largely in Internal Medicine, providing a strong clinical foundation for our anesthesia years. This year takes place at the West Los Angeles Greater VA Medical Center, where educational giants of Internal Medicine actively invest in our training. The highlight of intern year is working together with other specialties and forming memorable bonds that extend far beyond the hospital walls. These bonds only grow stronger during our clinical anesthesia years through daily lunch gatherings, call-team dinners (and boba!), and numerous group activities such as beach days, dinners, hikes, and concerts.
During the clinical anesthesiology years, we are exposed to a variety of patients, hospitals, and settings, equipping us to be exceptional anesthesiologists in any environment. Most rotations are completed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, a national leader in organ transplantation, subspecialty surgeries, and a Level I Trauma Center, which allows to provide care to the extremely diverse patient population of the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.
To ensure well-rounded training, we also rotate through UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and affiliate institutions like 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.
Our department recognizes the expanding role of anesthesiology beyond the operating room and aims to equip anesthesiologists to be leaders and advocates in the perioperative space and healthcare ecosystem. We offer robust opportunities in basic science, translational, and clinical research, with many faculty members being top NIH grant recipients and thought leaders of the field. Additional opportunities include a Global Health Pathway and Leadership Track for residents seeking additional exposure to these areas during their residency experience.
UCLA anesthesiology residents are competitive candidates for fellowships and job placements in both academic and private practice settings because we are capable of caring for the most complex and critically ill patients. Our national alumni network and reputation for superb clinical training enable graduates to secure coveted positions throughout the country.
While other programs can also provide excellent clinical training, one aspect that sets us apart is our supportive culture, shaped by a unique blend of mentors and leaders who actively invest in our training as physicians and development as individuals: Department Chair Maxime Cannesson, MD, PhD; Vice Chair of Education Judi Turner, MD, PhD; Residency Program Director Jack Buckley, MD; Associate Program Director Christine Myo-Bui, MD; and Director of Health and Well-Being K. Elliott Higgins III, MD. Furthermore, our education office and Residency Program Manager and Coordinator, Lucelva Mendez, play a vital role in ensuring that we are supported in an administrative capacity throughout our time in residency. Our department’s leadership continually seeks and implements resident feedback to enhance our already exceptional program.
We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program, and we look forward to getting to know each of you throughout this application season!
Warmly,
Mark Guirguis, Maegan Lu, Mishan Rambukwella, Sam Snider
2024-2025 Chief Residents
UCLA Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine