Fellowship directory

True multidisciplinary training program

Weekly multidisciplinary conference

Clinical faculty include anesthesiology, PMR, psychology, pharmacology, physical therapy

Structured palliative care, neurology, PMR/ anesthesiology, psychology, cancer, pediatric, and acute pain management experience

Robust didactic program, cadaver labs, high-volume interventional experience

Nationally recognized basic and clinical research programs 

Train here, thrive anywhere.®

The Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis provides multidisciplinary training at one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, consistently ranked in the top-10.

The 12-month program is committed to preparing future leaders in regional anesthesia to start and lead an acute pain service after program completion. Fellows work clinically four days per week with one day dedicated to non-clinical, academic, or optional moonlighting activities. Clinical work is comprised of both inpatient and outpatient regional anesthesia as well as dedicated time on the acute pain service. Fellows also have the option to spend time supervising CRNAs as general anesthesiologists, but this or performance of general anesthesia, is not required.

Recent graduates have performed over 1,500 ultrasound-guided procedures as well as thoracic epidurals and spinals. They learn how to place and manage both inpatient and outpatient peripheral nerve catheters. Under the direction of fellowship-trained physicians, fellows will spend eight weeks leading the acute pain service at WashU, learn how to manage pain with state-of-the-art multimodal techniques, and mentor resident anesthesiologists. International rotations are available. A new 2-week rotation launched in 2024 at the Amsterdam University Medical Center.  Previous fellows have rotated in Ghana, The Philippines, and Guatemala.

By the end of the fellowship, graduates will be experienced in nearly all commonly performed regional anesthetics including, but not limited to, scalp blocks for craniotomy, interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular and axillary brachial plexus blocks, forearm blocks, paravertebral, erector spinae, parasternal for cardiac surgery, epidural, spinal, pectoserratus, serratus anterior, multiple TAP approaches, rectus sheath, suprainguinal fascia iliaca, femoral, sub gluteal sciatic, popliteal, iPACK, adductor canal, genicular, and ankle blocks. All fellows also have the opportunity to learn Point of Care Ultrasonography if desired.

Didactic education is primarily based on the flipped classroom model with faculty led PBLs.  Fellow specific lectures also include medical economics and oral board review.  Additionally, fellows participate in a quality improvement or research project. The regional and pain divisions within the department have multiple ongoing clinical QI and research projects available for fellows. Applicants also have the option of leading their own project. Alternatively, fellows can elect to participate in ongoing basic science research with our world-famous pain researchers.  Accommodations can be made for MD PhDs or experienced researchers.  The Department of Anesthesiology at WashU is heavily funded by grants and consistently ranks among the top five nationally in NIH funding.

Clinical Sites:

Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJH)

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center with 1,100 beds and an attached outpatient surgery center on the Washington University School of Medicine Campus. BJH currently has 80 operating rooms. 

Barnes Jewish West County Hospital

A fast-paced private practice environment with 14 operating rooms. Regional anesthesia is primarily performed for orthopedic surgery at this site, including joint replacement and spine surgery. Individual fellows have performed over 30 ultrasound-guided blocks at this site in a single day.

Washington University Orthopedic Center

A fast-paced private practice outpatient orthopedic surgery center with five operating rooms. Individual fellows have performed over 30 ultrasound-guided blocks at this site in a single day.

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There are three one-year, non-ACGME fellowship positions. We participate in the San Francisco Match’s Central Application Service. To apply for our Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Fellowship, please visit our website and follow the application instructions. We request the following supplemental documents as part of the SF match application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement expressing your interest in the field of regional anesthesia
• USMLE scores
• ABA Board Scores (if available)
• 3 letters of recommendation written within the past year (preferably one from your residency director)