Duke Anesthesiology is proud to have one of the top-ranked residency programs in the nation. And two of the doctors who oversee this highly regarded program have developed one more way to connect – the DARE blog!
The authors, Drs. Annemarie Thompson, Brian Colin, and Angela Pollak will use the DARE blog to:
- Answer common questions directed towards the Residency Program office
- Share educational experiences (both successes and failures)
- Open communication between medical students, residents and educators regarding medical education
With this blog, the Duke Anesthesiology Residency Program director and associate director hope that individuals will feel they can reach out to them online with any questions they may have about the department and Duke as a whole, ultimately creating beneficial conversations.
My Step 1 score is below your 225 cut off. My Step 2 score was over 40 points higher. Should I still apply to Duke?
A: We encourage you to apply! The Step 1 score of 225 is not a firm cutoff. Here at Duke, we take a look at the entire application, not just step scores alone.
Do you Have a Clerkship at Duke University?
A: Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to accommodate observerships for international students. For those interested in our program, please visit our Duke Anesthesiology Residency Program webpage for dates for our upcoming virtual open houses.
What Should I Focus On – High Step Scores, Research or Clinical Experience?
A: I am excited to hear about your interest. I am sure you will receive lots of advice on how to best prepare for a career in anesthesiology, beginning with residency. At Duke, we are looking for residents who are passionate about anesthesiology and will lead our field into the future. It is important to be well-rounded with 1) a good understanding of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 2) well-developed clinical skills and bedside manner, 3) a passion for lifelong learning, and 4) leadership experience. This is not a comprehensive list, but is meant to guide you as you begin your preparations. At Duke, we will foster growth in each one of these areas to best prepare you for your career.
What was the Main Goal of the American Board of Anesthesiology-Accredited, Month-Long Global Health Residency Rotation in Ghana?
A: The goal of the trip to Ghana was to create a project that could show an incremental measurable gain in the delivery of health care. We arrived in Accra, Ghana at a very interesting time.
Can you Provide an Example of the Learning Takeaways that Duke Anesthesiology Residents Gain from their Global Health Mission Trips?
A: In March, we spent a week in Jacmel, Haiti, providing anesthesia care and helping to improve the education of Haitian doctors and nurses caring for patients in the perioperative period.
What Role does the Duke Anesthesiology Residency Program Play in Global Health?
A: Dr. Brad Taicher takes us on his journey abroad to provide a snapshot of how our department and residency program make a real difference in the lives of others.
Is Leadership Teaching Offered for Residents of Duke Anesthesiology?
A: For the leadership development program for the residents, we use the Duke Healthcare Leadership Model as our guide. Each of the five core competencies (integrity, emotional intelligence, teamwork, selfless service, and critical thinking) and the core principle of patient-centeredness are integral to leadership in anesthesiology.
How is Veterans Affairs an Integral Part of Duke Anesthesiology’s Residency Program?
A: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan” was declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 at his second inauguration and remains the motto of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
How Does the Duke Anesthesiology Residency Program Prepare Their Residents for Oral Exams?
A: I’ll never forget the feeling as I stepped into the elevator after finishing my oral exam.
How will I Know Which Residency Program is the Best Fit for Me?
A: You spend three years of medical school trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, and then you spend a lot of your own (or your parents’) money and frequent flyer miles trying to figure out where you want to train for the job you want to have.