Mission Statement:

This fellowship program will ensure the ongoing development of regional anesthesia, as defined subspecialty, emphasizing research activities, education curricula and clinical care.  This fellowship program will also help develop a set of standards for subspecialty in Regional Anesthesia and Perioperative Pain Medicine

Clinical Educational Goals:

• Development of expertise in the practice and theory of regional anesthesia
• Assessment of anesthesia needs and options for patients having procedures in both ambulatory and non-ambulatory settings: develop anesthesia plan with necessary interventions to minimize risk.
• Medical evaluation of patients from history and physical examination to determine anesthetic risks; establish benefits of regional anesthesia and analgesia. Especially in high risk and geriatric patients.
• Recommendations and consultation in postoperative pain management, evaluation of
• regional anesthetic intervention in the management of acute postoperative pain.
• Learn and hone the techniques of regional anesthesia, understanding the specifics of
• the anatomy involved in the performance of each regional blockade.
• Application and supervision of appropriate treatment protocols.
• Assisting with clinical data collection.
• Participate in research projects, presentations and teaching medical students and residents.

Program Design:

The Fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Perioperative Pain Medicine is designed to provide advanced training in regional Anesthesia and Perioperative Pain Medicine in surgical patients.  This program will emphasize research, clinical, and teaching responsibilities. The program will train participants in various regional anesthesia techniques that are used to enhance the peri-operative experience in both in-patient and outpatient settings. These anesthesia techniques are beneficial in their postoperative pain management and in the reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The fellows will gain invaluable experience with the use of continuous peripheral nerve catheters that control pain for as many days as needed after surgery.  The mission and objective of the fellowship is to teach the specialized advanced regional anesthesia techniques.  Mastering of the various techniques will prepare the fellowship participant to successfully utilize these skills to provide anesthesia and analgesia options to the surgical and traumatic cases.

A successful fellowship participant will soon be able to identify the best regional anesthesia technique suited for the type of surgery to be performed.   The development of the proper skills to administer the necessary regional anesthesia techniques is the primary goal and objective of the fellowship.   This learning process is monitored and supervised closely by the attending anesthesiologists in Santa Monica Hospital.

Selection Process:

The selection process for fellows includes the completion of a Fellowship Application, which is to be substantiated by three letters of recommendation. In addition to the letters of reference the application is to include a current CV and a letter of affirmation stating their interest in the program.  The chair of the department and all the attending anesthesiologists of service closely review applications.  Potential candidates are invited to UCLA to be interviewed by the Chairperson of the department as well as all attending anesthesiologists in the Service.

For further information:

Alireza Sadoughi, M.D.

Chief, Santa Monica-UCLA Regional Anesthesia & Perioperative Pain Medicine Service

Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology

Susie Diaz
Fellowship Coordinator

Department of Anesthesiology
Box 951778
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1778

Phone: (310) 206-5145

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Pages created and maintained by Sara Faulds, Ali Sadoughi, M.D.. and Michael J. Sopher, MD

Last Updated: 2/28/08