In accordance with the department's commitment to education and dedication to remain at the forefront of medicine, Anesthesiology interns and residents attend simulation-based educational sessions throughout their four years of training. We partner with the clinical simulation center to provide our trainees with the opportunity to improve patient safety through realistic hands-on training in a risk-free environment. We are continually adding new courses to perpetuate quality improvement through new uses of simulation in medical education.
UMHS Clinical Simulation Center
The Clinical Simulation Center (CSC), is located within the hospital and has the capacity for multiple simulation-based teaching modalities. The CSC utilizes a a wide range of simulators, including high-fidelity adult and pediatric mannequins, procedural/task trainers and surgical simulators.
Simulation Courses
In the Department of Anesthesiology, our trainees are exposed to an expansive array of simulation sessions throughout their four years of training.
Intern Year
During PGY-1 year, interns attend monthly simulation sessions where they begin to learn the basics of anesthesia, such as airway management and central line insertion.
Resident Bootcamp
Interns begin their transition to anesthesiology residency during a one-month rotation at the end of intern year, or the first month of PG-2 year. Affectionately referred to as "bootcamp", the curriculum aims to provide special training for incoming residents to teach them the basics of induction, emergence, and troubleshooting to ensure a safe, independent transition to the operating room at the end of the first month. Using the simulation lab, residents learn a variety of induction techniques in a risk-free environment.
Anesthesia Resident Crisis Resource Management Course

For PGY 2-4 years, simulation curriculum focuses on management of critical events in the operating room and emergent airway management outside of the operating room. During this course residents will also receive preparation for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) portion of the ABA Applied Examination. A dedicated group of faculty with extensive training in simulation education provide instruction not only in clinical management skills, but also in effective teamwork, communication and professionalism. Residents will attend a crisis resource management course twice during each year of their training.
Managing Emergencies in Pediatric Anesthesia (MEPA)
- The MEPA course was developed from a collaboration of specialist pediatric anesthetists from across the globe with an interest in simulation based training. The MEPA course is a series of literature based expert peer-reviewed scenarios followed by presentations.
- MEPA aims to give anesthetic trainees the opportunity to develop management strategies for emergencies in pediatric anesthesia using high-fidelity simulation.
- U of M is 1 of 7 centers in the US offering the MEPA course. The first course at U of M was held in September 2013.
MOCA
The Maintenance of Certification for Anesthesiology (MOCA) at UMHS fulfills MOCA re-certification for ABA diplomates. Please refer to our MOCA webpage for additional information.
Multidisciplinary Anesthesiology Airway Course
This annual course is facilitated by Anesthesiology and Otolaryngology faculty. Morning didactic sessions are followed by a hands-on workshop in the afternoon.
Objectives for this course include:
- Ability to identify and predict difficult airways.
- Increased knowledge of alternate approaches to airway management.
- Demonstrate proficiency in implementing these new approaches in patient care.
- After attending this course trainees have a greater understanding of management of the difficulty & failed airways.
New Faculty Orientation
During their orientation, new faculty undergo a simulation-based course to review the principles of crisis resource management. New faculty are expected to understand and exhibit the role of anesthesiology faculty during an intra-operative critical event and what resources are available to assist with the management of such incidents.
Additional Simulation Opportunities
Trans-esophageal (TEE) and Trans-thoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

The new HeartWorks Simulator housed in our Cardiovascular Center is utilized during two special PGY 2 and 3 resident rotations focusing on TEE and TTE. The simulator provides comprehensive teaching and review for residents, who will obtain a greater understanding of cardiac anatomy and echocardiographic correlation.
Ultrasound
The new ultrasound curriculum includes a longitudinal simulation experience that exposes the residents from PGY-1 through CA-3 years to ultrasound for vascular access, TEE. TTE, ultrasound-guided regional blocks and other uses of point-of-care ultrasound. Every year residents are introduced to a different use for ultrasounds using either simulators or live models to help integrate the use of ultrasound into everyday practice.
Spinal-Epidural Injections
This training device contains anatomical structures found in the lower lumbar region, and gives the ability to demonstrate routine neuraxial procedures such as: epidural loss of resistance, single shot spinals, epidural and spinal catheter placement, and combined spinal epidural technique.
Faculty
