The Hepatic Transplantation Anesthesiology (HTA) Fellowship position is available at UPMC Presbyterian, a leading center of organ transplantation with an annual caseload of more than 200 transplants of the liver, small bowels, pancreas, and multiviscera. The HTA team is comprised of uniquely qualified anesthesiologists who pioneered and developed the field of transplantation anesthesiology, including founding of the International Liver Transplantation Society. This fellowship program provides a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing perioperative care, with ample research opportunities, with collaboration of colleagues in surgery, hematology, and critical care medicine. By the end of the training year, fellows achieve sufficient qualification to become a Director of HTA in other major medical centers, thus joining the vast alumni of this highly successful fellowship program.
Clinical Experience
The objectives of the one- or two-year fellowships include clinical, education, and research components. The clinical program emphasizes a comprehensive perioperative approach. Fellows are encouraged to participate in the weekly preoperative evaluation of the candidates at the Outpatient Clinic, intraoperative anesthetic care, and postoperative visits. They are expected to participate in the Monday HTA Morbidity and Mortality Conference for extensive discussion of candidates, perioperative care of patients, and other clinical evaluation. The program also can be tailored to meet special goals and needs, such as pediatric HTA and critical care. The teaching program is supported by five attending anesthesiologists with a great depth of expertise in evaluation of liver transplantation candidates, including those with central nervous system, cardiopulmonary system, renal system, and coagulation defects. During a one-year experience, the fellow will participate in more than 50 cases of liver transplantation.
Educational Program
Our educational program consists of a didactic a curriculum with a dedicated manual, overseen by faculty members on the HTA service, covering preparation, assessment, and management of each organ’s function. The process continues with extensive discussion of each case at the Monday HTA Morbidity and Mortality Conference. This format allows fellows to gain in-depth knowledge of organ transplantation. In addition, Fellows are encouraged to participate in education of junior residents and student nurse anesthetists at UPMC Presbyterian.
Research Opportunities
Our research program encourages HTA Fellows to participate in on-going or newly developed investigative projects. Substantial departmental financial and intellectual support is available with clinical or basic projects, and fellows are expected to be able to present research abstract at national or international liver transplant-oriented meetings.
Application Process
The qualifications for the HTA Fellowship Program are that the applicant will have completed an AGCME-Accredited Anesthesiology Residency Program by the start of the fellowship. Upon completion of the below fellowship application, fellows will be selected by a review committee on the basis of letters of reference and the interview.
For further information, please contact:
Raymond M. Planinsic, MD
Director of Hepatic Transplantation Anesthesiology
c/o Barb Chismar, Project Manager
UPP Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 402
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-692-4505
Fax: 412-692-4515
E-mail: chismarbn@upmc.edu