Academic Background

M.D., University of Massachusetts, 1988

Postdoctoral Training

University of Massachusetts, Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1989-1992
University of Massachusetts, Residency in Anesthesiology, 2002-2004

My path to anesthesiology was a protracted one. When I graduated from medical school in 1988, I began a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. My first rotation during my internship year was anesthesiology. It was my first exposure to the specialty and I loved it! I remember calling my residency program director and telling him how much I was enjoying the rotation and that I thought that anesthesia was what I really wanted to pursue as a career. My residency program director reminded me that I hadn’t even begun my rotations in obstetrics and gynecology and he encouraged me to continue on in my residency. I graduated from my residency in 1992 and practiced obstetrics and gynecology for ten years. I enjoyed my time, but always felt remorseful that I had not pursued a career in anesthesiology. I was constantly jealous of my colleagues in anesthesia who would swoop in during my patients' labor, place an epidural and be declared a saint by my patients. It was a constant reminder of what could have been.

Ten years after practicing obstetrics and gynecology, during my “midlife crisis,” I was afforded the opportunity to do a residency in anesthesiology. Although it was somewhat difficult to return to residency after ten years of private practice, I thoroughly enjoyed my anesthesia training! I enjoyed learning new skills and fortunately my mentors were kind to the “old man.”

When I returned to practice anesthesia in the private setting I established obstetrical anesthesia procedures and protocols at several hospitals. My previous training was immensely helpful in these endeavors. It is my hope to be able to return to the practice of obstetrical anesthesia in the near future!