Ronald L. Harter, M.D.
Vice Chair of Education and Professional Development, Residency Program Director

What defines the ideal anesthesiology residency program? In my opinion, it combines a clinical experience filled with challenging cases across the spectrum of anesthesiology subspecialties, combined with a strong didactic program that facilitates successful completion of the Board examination process. It is critically important that this all transpire in an environment that is friendly, supportive, and stimulating. OSU’s anesthesiology residency program provides all of those components.

The extensive list of required cases and procedures, as delineated by the ACGME’s Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology, helps to assure that residents trained in anesthesiology have adequate exposure to cases across all anesthesiology subspecialties. The clinical experience available at OSU is sufficient to permit our residentsto completethe majority of their clinical case requirements by the end of their CA-2 year, essentially leaving the CA-3 year for the pursuit of subspecialties of interest, including a variety of clinical and basic science research opportunities, without being encumbered by having to complete case requirements. With the exception of the rotations in Pediatric and Regional Anesthesia, all rotations are conducted at the OSU Medical Center complex, fostering a “team” approach, and allowing great friendships and camaraderie to develop during residency training.

OSU’s Anesthesiology Residency program has a long-standing tradition of excellence in preparing its graduates for success in the board certification process. Year in and year out, our pass rates for the written and oral exams are above the national average. In the past twenty years, virtually 100% of our graduates have successfully obtained ABA certification. The relatively small size of this residency program ensures that a resident here will get individual attention and not become “lost,” while being large enough to provide peer support and interaction. In our resident selection process, we value those residents who have demonstrated a commitment to teamwork, cooperation, and leadership. The end result is a terrific group of residents who work well together, becoming excellent anesthesiologists while building lifelong friendships.