The Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania is steeped in a long tradition of patient care, education, and research.
Welcome to Penn Medicine
A warm welcome to the University of Pennsylvania Anesthesiology Residency Program!
Our Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care was founded over 75 years ago by Robert Dunning Dripps. Through this time, our department has helped shape the field of anesthesiology as one of the early academic anesthesiology departments and one of the premier residency programs. We strive not only to maintain this reputation but to continue growing and innovating within our specialty with an eye toward the future.
As a residency program, we are committed to fostering an environment where every resident can achieve their potential, finding their place within our specialty. We achieve this by employing modern learning theories surrounding adult education, providing a clinical experience across three nationally ranked hospitals, and most importantly by viewing our residents as colleagues and learners. This ensures that when our residents graduate not only are they ready to practice independently as competent and skilled anesthesiologists but they are true consultants within our specialty, who are well suited as future colleagues.
As Program Director, I am honored and proud to be a part of this legacy and future. Our education team is committed to a culture of empathy, growth, mutual respect, professionalism, and shared responsibility throughout the residency experience. Our job is to ensure your success throughout your residency. In addition to readily achieving case and rotation requirements, our residents continually have experiences that mimic the many roles our faculty and specialty at large perform on a daily basis in practice. Whether your goal is to become an expert clinician, healthcare leader, master educator, or principal investigator, our program will help you achieve this goal throughout your Graduate Medical Education journey.
Jesse Kiefer, MD, MSED
Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology & Critical Care
Anesthesiology Residency Program Director
Chief Resident Welcome
Welcome! We appreciate your interest in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care residency at the University of Pennsylvania. This program provides a phenomenal training environment, and we would love to share with you the many exciting aspects of our residency.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is one of the leading academic medical centers in the country and we are privileged to care for a diverse patient population, many of whom travel from around the globe to seek care at HUP. Penn is renowned for its robust transplant program, cardiothoracic surgery hub, trauma exposure, and critical care, and excels in neuroanesthesia, high-risk obstetrics, interventional pain procedures, and regional anesthesia. Furthermore, Penn's unique relationship with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia allows residents to gain world-class pediatric anesthesiology experience during their training. The clinical experience here is unparalleled. As a resident, you will receive high-volume exposure to a wide variety of cutting-edge surgical procedures and anesthetic techniques and will be well-prepared to tackle any clinical situation in future practice.
An environment focused on inclusivity, teamwork, and inquiry is a top priority for the program. Our faculty and residents are incredibly diverse, and many have had previous careers or possess unique skills that are invaluable contributions to our education. Our multifaceted educational program features intraoperative teaching, simulation workshops, written and oral board reviews, case presentations, and protected time for traditional lecture-based didactics. Our program not only produces exceptional clinicians and leaders in the field of anesthesiology, but also leaders in perioperative care, basic and clinical research, and quality improvement. Many residents are involved in research and scientific writing, and others take major roles in quality improvement, education, or systems-level management. Graduates go on to match in every available fellowship at prestigious institutions across the country or secure their ideal private practice job, utilizing Penn's vast network of alumni.
Of course, we also make time outside of residency to explore Philadelphia. It is an incredibly vibrant and diverse city with a rich history, bustling arts scene, amazing food and dining, and passion for sports. For nature lovers, the countryside, mountains, or beaches are just a short drive away. Department-sponsored happy hours, social events, and outings give us an opportunity to experience the city with our co-residents. In addition, Philadelphia has a reasonable cost of living and remains one of the most affordable major cities on the East Coast.
We are excited that you are considering our program and hope to meet you. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Maureen Banigan, MD
Lexi Zoraian, MD
Kelvin Wang, MD