Medical Student Overview
Medical students completing an anesthesiology elective at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus will experience a dynamic, hands on rotation designed to build confidence in perioperative patient care.
Anesthesiology Electives (4th Year)
Medical students completing an anesthesiology elective at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus participate in a dynamic, hands-on rotation designed to build confidence in perioperative patient care. Working closely with faculty anesthesiologists and residents, students gain experience in preoperative assessment, airway management, vascular access, intraoperative physiology, and post-anesthesia care. The rotation emphasizes individualized teaching, active participation in the OR, and exposure to subspecialties such as regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and critical care. Learners are integral members of the care team and supported in developing the skills and clinical reasoning essential for a career in anesthesiology or other acute care specialties.
Available Elective Courses
- ANES 8000: Clinical Anesthesia – Hands-on perioperative patient care, including preoperative assessment, airway management, intraoperative anesthesia, and postoperative monitoring.
- ANES 8001: Surgery Intensive Care AI – A four-week rotation in the STICU or CTICU (students choose one ICU for the full rotation), focusing on critical care management, patient monitoring, procedures, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- ANES 8002: Anesthesia Subspecialties – Exposure to regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and critical care, building advanced perioperative skills.
- ANES 8100: Anesthesia Elective Away – Complete an elective at an external institution, broadening exposure to diverse anesthesiology practices.
- ANES 8600: Research in Anesthesia – Participate in ongoing anesthesiology research projects, including study design and data collection.
- ANES 8630: Anesthesia Research Away – Research elective at an external institution with exposure to advanced methodologies.
Education Links
CU library website (Anesthesiology e-Books & Books): https://hslibrary.ucdenver.edu/
Maps: University Hospital, Denver Health, and Children's Hospital.
Contact Us
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4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Course ANES 8001) |
4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Courses ANES 8000, 8002, 8100 & 8600) |
Academic Services Professional |
Our fourth-year visiting student anesthesiology rotation offers an immersive, hands-on experience in perioperative medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Students work one-on-one with faculty and residents to learn fundamental anesthetic principles, participate in preoperative evaluations, assist with airway management, and engage in intraoperative patient care.
Students gain exposure to a wide variety of surgical specialties and anesthesia techniques, including general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care, while building confidence, procedural skills, and an understanding of the anesthesiologist’s role in patient safety and multidisciplinary care.
Available Elective Courses
- ANES 8000: Clinical Anesthesia Four-week elective providing hands-on experience in perioperative patient care, including preoperative assessment, airway management, intraoperative anesthesia, and postoperative monitoring.
- ANES 8001: Surgery Intensive Care AI Immersive rotation in the Surgical Trauma ICU (STICU) or Cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU) — students choose one ICU rotation for the full 4 weeks, focusing on critical care management, patient monitoring, procedures, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
- ANES 8002: Anesthesia Subspecialties Exposure to specialized areas such as regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and critical care, with opportunities to develop advanced perioperative skills.
How to Apply for an Externship
Medical, osteopathic, or international students should visit CU Anschutz Externships and complete the Externship Application and supplementary materials.
What to Bring
- School ID, pager, driver’s license, small padlock
- You will receive a photo UCH ID and two sets of scrubs
- Professional attire is expected for clinics, grand rounds, and other formal events
- Evaluation forms are now submitted digitally; no hard copies required
- Housing: UCD Student Assistance Office listings
- Parking: Anschutz Parking Office maps/rates. Please bring your car registration and payment (check, credit card, or cash).
- First Day: Cheyenne Wells Parking Lot ($5/12 hrs)
Housing & Parking
Externship Scholarship
The Department of Anesthesiology offers a $3,500 Externship Scholarship for 4th-year visiting medical students completing a four-week anesthesiology rotation at CU Anschutz. Applications are due April 30, 2026. For more information, please visit our Externship Scholarship tab or contact Whitney Balusi at [email protected].
Pathways to Anesthesiology & Residency Resources
- American Society of Anesthesiologists – Training Resources
- AAMC – Medical Student Resources
- NRMP – Residency Matching
- ERAS Timeline – Residency Application Guide
Contact Us
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4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Course ANES 8001) |
4th – Year Medical Student Course Director (Courses ANES 8000, 8002, 8100 & 8600) |
Academic Services Professional |
Third-year medical students rotate through core clinical specialties including surgery, anesthesiology, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. Within the anesthesiology rotation, students participate in preoperative evaluation, airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, induction and emergence from anesthesia, and basic procedural skills under supervision. The model emphasizes hands-on learning, one-on-one teaching, and structured assessments to guide clinical growth.
Contact Us
- Whitney Balusi – Education Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
- Dr. Burke Gallagher – Director
Email: [email protected]
Education Links
CU library website (Anesthesiology e-Books & Books): https://hslibrary.ucdenver.edu/
Maps: University Hospital, Denver Health, and Children's Hospital.
Interested in hearing directly from Residency Program Directors? Visit the ASA’s Interviews with Residency Program Directors page to gain firsthand perspectives on training programs and the residency application process: Interviews with Residency Program Directors