Anesthesia Residency Frequently Asked Questions

The Department of Anesthesia fills 26 residency positions each year through the Match program: four categorical (four-year) positions and 22 advanced (three-year) positions. The department receives more than 750 applicants each year. The total program size is 80: typically four categorical PGY-1 positions and 22 advanced positions. The Residency Interview Committee evaluates various criteria in the selection and invitation process. It is highly recommended that applicants apply for both categorical and advanced positions through ERAS. Interview offers are not based upon applications to a specific track.

The clinical base year includes at least six months of clinical rotations during which the resident has responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a variety of medical and surgical problems, of which at most one month may involve the administration of anesthesia and one month of pain medicine. Acceptable clinical base experiences include training in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery (or any of their subspecialties) obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, or family medicine—or any combination of these as approved for residents by the directors of their training programs in anesthesiology. Other rotations completing the 12 months of broad education should be relevant to the practice of anesthesiology. Training as a fellow in a subspecialty program is not an acceptable clinical base experience.

The Department of Anesthesia requests that the clinical base year includes two months of Critical Care experience and one month of Emergency Medicine.

The Department of Anesthesia accepts residency applications only through ERAS. Find details on admission requirements and processes through the IU School of Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education.

Step 1 USMLE scores are required of all applicants. Step 2 CS and CK may be completed after the application deadline. Successful completion of USMLE Step 1 and of Step 2 CS and CK is required by the Department of Anesthesiology prior to matriculation.

The ERAS application, including all supporting documentation, including the personal statement, three letters of recommendation and USMLE Step 1 results, should be completed by October 1. Applications completed after this time may be considered on a rolling basis, if interview slots are still available. The earlier the application is finalized, the better.

Interviews are held roughly October through January. Dates vary each year.

Yes, the couples match is an option through ERAS.

DO candidates are encouraged to take the USMLE. However, individuals that provide only COMLEX scores are considered by the Department of Anesthesia.

Requirements for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are available through the Office of Graduate Medical Education.  Among other required qualifications, IMG applicants should have U.S. citizenship, be a permanent resident of the United States or have a J-1 Visa and have a permanent medical license for Indiana. Please note that H1-B Visas are typically not accepted, and F-1 Visas are not accepted by the Department of Anesthesia at IU School of Medicine.

At this time, observership positions are not offered.

No problem. ERAS allows up to four letters of recommendation. The Department of Anesthesia considers a complete application to include three letters of recommendation. Four is fine.

Please refer to the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database (FREIDA) for additional information. For details about the IU School of Medicine Anesthesia Residency program, contact Jennifer L. Stewart, DO by phone at 317-274-0275 or by email at anesres@iupui.edu.