For General Questions:

2022-2023 Chief Residents

• Rollin Cook, MD
• Cody Grotts, MD
• Andrew Wheeler, MD

Email: AnesthesiaChiefResidents@healthcare.uiowa.edu

Department Chair

• Cynthia Wong, MD, Professor and Chair

Vice Chair of Education

• Dawn Dillman, MD

Program Director

• Brent A. Hadder, MD

Assistant Program Directors

• Andrew Feider, MD
• Katherine Keech, MD

Other Key Personnel

• Lauren Pitt, Residency Program Coordinator
• Jim Choi, MD, Assistant Dean, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Office of Student Affairs & Curriculum
• Javier Campos, MD, Executive Medical Director of Perioperative Services

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Iowa. We are extremely proud of our outstanding residency program. Our residency is designed to prepare graduates to be superb perioperative physicians in a variety of settings. 

Approximately 30% of our residents undergo fellowship training after residency; others proceed directly into practice. Our ABA board pass rate is 95% since 2006. Our residents are well trained and prepared for their new practice or fellowship. We are very proud of the positive feedback we receive from residents after they leave our program.

We receive approximately 1,000 resident applications each year and interview approximately 150 of these candidates. We accept 15 PGY1 residents through the match; 80% are US graduates. The remainder are international graduates that typically rank very high in their classes. 

1. Faculty and teaching: We have more than 80 faculty in operating room anesthesia, including pediatric anesthesia, regional anesthesia, transplant anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia and cardiac anesthesia, among others. Faculty members are evaluated by our residents and students. The commitment of Residency Program Director Michelle Parra, MD, and her educational team is to facilitate the development of our residents' outstanding clinical skills.
2. Regional anesthesia: Our department performs more than 2,700 regional anesthetics per year; about 25% of our cases receive some type of regional anesthesia. Our residents are extremely comfortable with both neuraxial techniques and upper and lower extremity nerve blocks. Ultrasound machines are available throughout the clinical areas where regional anesthesia is practiced and the number of blocks performed by our residents is usually 2-3 times greater than the minimum required by the ACGME Residency Review Committee. 
3. Critical care medicine: The department has directed the Surgical and Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (SNICU) for more than 40 years. The Medical Director of the SNICU  is Shawn Simmons, MD, who, along with 11 critical-care-trained anesthesiologists and certified faculty, manages more than 3,100 patients per year. The residents spend 6 months in the ICU during their 4 years of clinical training. The experience gained in the critical care unit has enabled our residents to develop into exceptional perioperative physicians.
4. Pain management: At University of Iowa, we have outstanding acute and chronic pain management services. Residents assigned to the acute pain management service also perform most of the regional anesthetic techniques for our patients. In addition, we follow many patients with continuous regional anesthetic techniques in the hospital as well as consult for pain management of complex patients.
   Our Pain Management Clinic, located off campus at Iowa River Landing, evaluates approximately 35 to 40 patients per day for various chronic pain conditions under the leadership of Pain Clinic Director Rahul Rastogi, MBBS, MD. Residents interact with pain management fellows and gain valuable experience in chronic pain management.
5. Pediatric anesthesia: More than 25% of our anesthetics involve children (age <18), and the Stead Family Children's Hospital, which opened in 2017, performs almost 75% of the complex pediatric surgery in the state of Iowa. This facility is consistently nationally ranked in multiple pediatric specialties, and its 8-room operating suite and procedural sedation suites further enhance training opportunities for our residents.
6. Simulation: The Department of Anesthesia opened the first simulation center at the University of Iowa in the late 1990s. We have an advanced high-fidelity simulation unit housed within the department for easy access by our trainees. We also have an echocardiography simulator that allows our residents to practice TEE examinations 24/7. Simulation-based activities are an integral part of our clinical rotations. 
7. Research opportunities: Our faculty members are involved in basic, translational, and clinical research. Areas of focus include basic science pain research, clinical neuroanesthesia and cardiovascular research, and health systems/operating room management research. Residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing research. Our residents annually participate in the Midwest Anesthesia Resident's Conference, where they present research and case reports to colleagues from around the Midwest. 

Our goal is to provide a balanced residency experience, to develop distinguished clinical trainees with extensive medical knowledge so that you can become a great perioperative physician.  You will find the University of Iowa an outstanding place to practice and the community a special place to live. 

Cynthia A. Wong, MD
Professor and Chair
Department of Anesthesia
University of Iowa

 

Rollin Cook, MD

Cody Grotts, MD

Andrew Wheeler, MD

Welcome to the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Iowa!

The process of choosing a residency is not easy, and there are many programs that offer excellent clinical training.

Our residents have the opportunity to immerse themselves in cutting edge medicine at one of the nation’s top academic medical institutions. As a whole, our department aims to provide residents with a variety of experiences that will prepare them for life-long learning and dedication to the practice of anesthesia.

Iowa anesthesia graduates go on to earn spots in top fellowship programs across the country and become highly valued and sought-after members of academic departments and private practice groups throughout the nation. Our board certification rate far exceeds the national average year after year. Specifically, our residents have a 97% pass rate on the BASIC exam with roughly one-third of our residents since the exam began scoring above the 90th percentile. Our ABA board certifying rate exceeds 95% over the last ten years.

Clinical anesthesia training at the University of Iowa has always been recognized as our strong point. Residents are exposed to an impressive array of unique and challenging cases. Most residents meet the number of minimum cases mandated by the ACGME by the 18th month of clinical anesthesia training.  Our intern year is tailored to maximize experiences across the entire spectrum of medicine which will complement the three following years of clinical anesthesia training. Intern year culminates in advanced clinical medicine which includes two months of simulations, lectures, workshops and problem-based learning and  FINALLY, operative experiences that prepare our interns to become superb CA-1’s.  

In addition to receiving solid experiences in every area of perioperative medicine, we receive extensive training in pain medicine, regional anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, cardiothoracic anesthesia including dedicated transesophageal echocardiogram training, obstetric anesthesia, and critical care medicine. Our Ambulatory Surgery Center provides opportunities to practice alternative anesthetic techniques that may better reflect a private practice setting. To further enhance our private practice training, we have an optional month performing cardiac anesthesia in the private practice setting of Des Moines. Our pediatric anesthesia training will be further enhanced with the opening of the new, state-of-the-art, stand-alone children's hospital in December 2016. We also enjoy a month transitioning to independent practice providing anesthesia from a supervisory role to gain experience managing multiple anesthetics at once.

Since 2002 residency training has been further augmented with the opportunity to learn anesthesia in more humble locales. Currently, three separate, fully funded trips to the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Colombia will provide six senior anesthesia residents the opportunity to practice abroad. The Guatemala mission trip is affiliated with the Miles of Smiles Team (MOST), where they perform cleft lip and palate repair surgeries. The Dominican Republic trip is largely an orthopedic mission focusing on regional anesthesia. Columbia's mission focuses mainly on pediatric anesthesia.

There is no question that residency is very challenging. The journey is much easier and enjoyable if spent with people who you consider to be friends. If you were to ask our residents what makes this program truly unique and special, most would mention the family atmosphere and sense of camaraderie that surrounds the entire department. It would be difficult to find a more amiable, friendly, and welcoming group of residents. From the time that you arrive in Iowa City and attend the anesthesia department welcome picnic until the time of departure following graduation, you will be part of a close-knit community where you will develop professional and personal relationships which will last a lifetime.

So come have a look! We look forward to getting to know you and showing you the terrific opportunities that exist in our department and Iowa City.

CA-3s (PGY 4s)

• Rollin Cook, MD–Oakland University William Beaumont, School of Medicine
• Casey Edwards, MD–University of Kentucky, School of Medicine
• Cody Grotts, MD–Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine
• Johnny Kim, MD–Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
• Erik Manke, MD–University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine
• Jesse Miser, MD–Indiana University, School of Medicine
• Latha Yalodahalli Shankar Naik, MBBS–Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
• Cody Petersen, MD – University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
• Jeffrey Peterson, MD–Medical College of Wisconsin
• Matthew Schettle, DO–Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Stephen Statz, MD–Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine
• Michael Tan, MD–Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine
• Andrew Wheeler, MD–Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Grant Young, MD–University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
• Zhen Deng, MD–University of Kansas. School of Medicine

Photo roster of CA-3s

CA-2s (PGY 3s)

• Nicholas Cavanaugh, DO–Marian University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Tyler Greiner, DO–Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Nicholas Henry, DO – Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Wahida Khan, MD – University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
• Asad Mansoor, MD–University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Tucson
• Alexander Novak, MD–University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
• Aamil Patel, MD–University of Missouri, School of Medicine
• Tyson Rowberry, MD–University of Utah, School of Medicine
• Emily Shawkat, MD–University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Isaac Sheffield, MD–University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
• James Sullivan, DO–Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Melissa Toeller-Desimone, MD–University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health
• Samira Vithani, MBBS-Maharashtra University of Health Sciences

Photo roster of CA-2s

CA-1s (PGY 2s)

• Richard Chen, MD–University of Nebraska
• Carver Ching, MD–University of South Dakota
• Natasha Dutta, DO–Des Moines University
• Christine Grubb, MD–Southern Illinois University
• Bennett Hartmann, MD–Creighton University
• Chloe Hlas, MD–University of Iowa
• Marissa Mifflin, MD–Indiana University
• Nicholas Jensen, MD–University of Iowa
• Alexis Jones, MD–Western Michigan University
• Jolecia Luyakoh, MD–University of Tennessee
• Natalie Manhica–University of Iowa
• Nina Muddasani, MD–University of Missouri
• Liem Nguyen, DO–University of New England
• Alejandro Ochoa Ramirez, MD–Medical College of Wisconsin
• Daniel Sayler, MD–University of North Dakota
• Andrea Taborsky, MD–University of North Dakota

Photo roster of CA-1s

Interns (PGY-1s)

• Helena Aaberg, MD- Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg (SE)
• Yezan Abderrahman, MD- University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine (JO)
• Mohammad Ahmadzai, DO, PhD- Michigan State Un College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Abel Chinos, MD- Medical College of Wisconsin (05606)
• Subhradeep Datta, MD- DC - Georgetown University School of Medicine
• Zi Wei (Alice) Liao, MD- TN - Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Margaret Mumm, MD- IL - Northwestern Un Feinberg School Of Medicine
• Jayme Nelson, MD- WI - Medical College of Wisconsin
• Truc Nguyen, DO- FL - Nova Southeastern College Of Osteo Medicine
• Adaeze Onah, MD- IL - Loyola Un of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
• William Pan, MD- MO - Saint Louis University School of Medicine
• Alex Rier, MD- University Of Iowa RJ & L Carver College Of Med
• Ticiana Saunders Pacheco de Valle, MD- Faculdade de Medicina Estacio de Juazeiro de Norte
• Irene Sue, MD- University of Vermont College of Medicine
• Austin Walker, MD- IL - Northwestern Un Feinberg School Of Medicine

Photos of PGY-1s

Class of 2022

∫ Clute, Hafeez Rajwani, Ryan Tegtmeier, Andrew Sprowell, Ryan Densmore, Bradley Wheeler, Gavin Meredith and James Myers.

∫ Kirk Dressen, Aparna Jindal, Ellyn Gray, Breethaa Janani Selvamani, Jonathan Yuska and Chase Johnson

∫ Andrew Hayden

Class of 2021

Back row (L-R): Alex Woodrow, David Padilla, Gareth Gardiner, Mina Alfi, Uche Maduka, Derek Gartner, Sarah Helwege

Front row (L-R): Chris Yates, Ethan Lowman, Deepak Agarwal, Chad Jensen, Zach Dalhoff, Anna Moldysz, Jarrod Bang, Philip Schulte

Class of 2020

Back row (L-R): Jacob Whiting, Matthew Sanders, Paige Keasler, Mark Turner, Richard Russillo, Karl Loth, Robert Sand
Front row (L-R): Justin Norvell, Khalid Sharif-Sidi, Asad Hashmi, Shilpa Chouhan, Michelle Riesselman, Emma Swanson, Daniel Jacobs, Jordan Hill

 

Class of 2019

Back row (L-R): Reid Johnson, Daniel Rhoades, Tyler Foster, Jonathan Otten, Eli Musselman, Coby Thompson
Front row (L-R): Sung Kim, Karolyn Fox-Dahl, Amanda Greene, Bhavana Yalamuru, Chelsea Stiles, Timothy Mundell

Class of 2018

Back row (L-R): Scott Miller, Dustin Goetz, Sangini Punia, Osa Emohare, Maria Gordan, Gautam Reddy, Jun Xu, Brian Bambara, Amanda Skiftun
Front row (L-R): Lee Stokes, Laura Johnson, Martin D'Ambrosio, Mamie Hextall

Class of 2017

Back Row (L-R): Allison Wagner, Michael Baker, Robert Hitchcock, Brett Myers, Anna Riessen
Middle Row (L-R): Adrienne Samar, Richard Lennertz, Samuel Bartmess, Cody Breinholt
Front Row (L-R): Luke Linz, Tyler Voigt, Michael Hicks

Class of 2016

Back Row (L-R): Anthony Mueller, Peter Coonrod, Joshua Newby, Thomas Carroll, Devin Lindstrom, Brant Rustwick
Front Row (L-R): Christopher Larson, Michael Swerczek, Samantha Neuwirth, Alexandra Chludzinski, Anita Chazhikattu, Justin Heser

Class of 2015

Back Row (L-R): Brian Midboe, Patrick Gore, Aaron Schmidt, Shelby Best, Carl Lundberg, Jay Diaz-Parlet, Paul Miska
Front Row (L-R): Matt Maxwell, Muayyad Tailounie, Brian Cheney, Taften Kuhl, David Easker

Class of 2014

Back Row (L-R): Benjamin Randall, Christopher Randall, Grant Bleeker, Melissa Meiners, Sarah Ellis, Shuchita Garg, Benjamin Ellis, Tyler Kerr
Front Row (L-R): Jennifer Talmage, Jocelyn Mattson, Mark Krohe, Ted Van Der Horst

Class of 2013

Back Row (L-R): Juan Ruiz, Marco del Castillo, Brenton Freeman, Michael Austin, Jonathan Swade, John Stimmler, Brent Carter, Matthew Kidwell
Front Row (L-R): Ezra Hallam, Kathryn Reed, Katherine Jessop, Amy Savage, Alex Shune

Class of 2012

Back Row (L-R): Jessica Jameson, Courtney Hancock, Kristin Knopke, Tejinder (Tej) Swaran Singh, John Wallace-Talifarro, Randy Hine, Jessica Kelley
Front Row (L-R): Kira Fraser, Waseemuddin (Waz) Ahmed, Rebecca Floyd, Molly Kelly, Jessica Leinen