Medical Student Overview
Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology’s Medical Student web page. Our department offers resources for medical students rotating in our department, which includes 3rd- and 4th-year medical students and visiting students. For more information, please click on the tabs below, and also take a look at the Department of Surgery's Third Year Course for more information.
3rd - Year Medical Students
The Clinical Core Curriculum (Phase III) consists of required and elective clinical clerkships and incorporates many disciplines of medicine.
During implementation of a new integrated curriculum in 2004, the third year, six-week surgical clerkship and 1-2 week anesthesiology electives were replaced by a combined 8-week Operative and Perioperative Care Block.
In 2018, this was modified again so all students completed a two-week anesthesiology rotation, a two-week surgical subspecialty rotation and a four-week general surgery rotation.
In 2020, COVID-19 related PPE shortages and restrictions forced us to make the difficult decision to change anesthesiology to an elective rotation. Acceptance to the rotation is based on constantly changing student quotas for each site, which allow us to provide of meaningful and education experience based on the unique COVID-19 environment in which we now work.
The clerkship is a patient-centered model where students follow patients from admission to discharge, on the surgical wards, in pre-op, the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), critical care, etc.
During the anesthesiology rotation, students receive an understanding of anesthesiology principles and procedures.
Sites of student rotations while on anesthesiology include: main OR, chronic pain clinic and procedure suite, acute pain rounding service, acute pain regional block team and the pre-operative clinic.
End of block activities include an OSCE, PBLD and written evaluation.
4th - Year Medical Students
Courses
ANES 8000 Clinical Anesthesia
Students will work one-on-one with anesthesia faculty and residents to gain further practical experience in all aspects of peri-operative care; improving skills gained in the third year and developing a deeper understanding of the breadth of anesthetic practice. Course is completed at Children's Hospital Colorado and Denver Health.
Students will be expected to perform pre-operative assessment, formulate basic anesthetic plan, and see that plan carried out through the peri-operative period. Students will be under direct supervision by Anesthesiology residents as well as Faculty attendings.
Course Director Information
Mario Villasenor, MD
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Site Contact Information Denver Health: Aaron Murray, MD
Children's Hospital Colorado: Joan Strong, MD
ANES 8001 - Surgery Intensive Care (SICU) Sub-I
Surgical Trauma Intensive Care 8001 is a 4th year rotation as an Acting Intern, Externship or Elective, prior to which an Anesthesia rotation is required.
The STICU typically experiences significant patient volume, high acuity & complexity and is staffed by attendings, advanced practice providers, fellows, surgery & anesthesia residents.
Daily rounding follows a family-oriented, multi disciplinary/specialty manner.
AI's present on rounds, follow residents' call schedules to help prepare for PGY1 year, participate in procedures, consults, daily didactics and direct teaching.
Compliance with UCDSOM graduation requires Communication & Quality Improvement Projects to be completed during the 4 weeks.
The rotation may help for those for whom anesthesia, surgery, emergency medicine, ENT or other acute specialties are being considered.
Written materials, orientation, mid-point and exit feedback are provided. Opportunity for honoring exists.
Course Director Information
Jennifer Cottra, MD Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
ANES 8002 - Subspecialties
Course exposes students to subspecialty areas in Anesthesiology. Students will attain additional experience in selected areas of anesthetic practice. Options include Acute and Chronic Pain, OB, Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgery, Transplant and General OR.
Students will be expected to perform pre-operative assessment, formulate basic anesthetic plan, and see that plan carried out through the peri-operative period. Students will be under direct supervision by Anesthesiology residents as well as Faculty attendings.
Course Director Information
Mario Villasenor, MD Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Education Links
CU library website (Anesthesiology e-Books & Books): https://hslibrary.ucdenver.edu/
Maps: University Hospital, Denver Health, and Children's Hospital.
Externs and Visiting Students
To Apply for An Externship
Medical, osteopathic or international students who are interested in taking fourth year electives at CU, please visit www.medschool.ucdenver.edu/extern, as well as the Externship Application to complete our supplementary application.
What to Bring
Bring your school ID, white jacket, pager, driver's license, a small padlock, and any hard copies of your school’s evaluation form. You will be issued a photo UCH ID to use for identification while you are here. The hospital will issue you two sets of scrubs at a time. You will be expected to dress professionally several times a week for clinics, grand rounds, etc.
Housing
The UCD Student Assistance Office has listings for housing.
Parking
The Anschutz Medical Campus Parking Office has maps, rates, and other information about parking. Time is allowed during orientation for you to purchase a parking pass. You will need your car registration information, payment (check, credit card, or cash), and campus ID to obtain parking. The first day of the course, park at the Cheyenne Wells Parking Lot ($5 for 12 hours).
Pathways to Anesthesiology
Training resource from The American Society of Anesthesiologists
Residency Links
AAMC: www.aamc.org
NRMP: www.nrmp.org
Timeline for Application: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/article/eras-timeline-md-residency/
3rd - Year Medical Student Co-Clerkship Director |
3rd - Year Medical Student Co-Clerkship Director |
4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Course ANES 8001) |
4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Courses ANES 8000, 8002, 8100 & 8600) |
Academic Services Professional |
