Resident Life at Hopkins

The Hopkins Culture
Being an anesthesiology resident here at Johns Hopkins is not only educationally rich, but is also incredibly rewarding and fun. In fact, one of the most attractive things about our program is that, despite the prestige our department carries, we have a lot of fun at work here. The resident group gets along wonderfully and our calendars are sprinkled with social events each month. Our department values the relationships we have with one another and encourages us to get together outside of work. To that end, we have end-of-block parties each month, funded by the department. These take place at a local pub and are always well-attended by the residents and attendings. The department also hosts an annual Holiday Party and Graduation Ceremony. These are formal events that are enjoyed by the whole department.

Our department has over 150 accomplished and well-respected clinical and research faculty. Despite their renown, however, attendings here do not view residents as mere workhorses. Instead, they consider our housestaff to be colleagues, and treat them as such. Many residents are engaged in research pursuits with our faculty and are invited to present their findings at national and international meetings. It's common for a Hopkins graduate to be published many times over before completing their training.

We are also privileged to have a responsive and concerned administration in the anesthesiology department. On the last Thursday of every month, we hold QUAC in place of grand rounds. At this event, all Hopkins ACCM residents get together and discuss concerns with the chief residents. At the end of our meeting, the chairman and program director join us so that we can share our concerns with them directly. Questions and concerns never fall on deaf ears here at Hopkins.

Our department also enjoys a collaborative relationship with the surgeons with whom we work. In most cases, surgeons are eager to teach our residents about the procedures for which they are providing perioperative care. Anesthesia residents, in turn, are encouraged to share patient safety concerns with the surgical staff whenever they arise. In this way, we work as one team with our surgical colleagues to deliver exceptional care to our patients.

A Day In the Life of a Hopkins Resident
Below is the typical schedule of a Hopkins resident. This is representative of an average day in the OR:
The resident will call the attending for the next day's cases the evening before.
6:00-6:30AM: Arrive at the hospital
6:30-7:00AM: Set up OR
7:00-7:30AM: See first patient in holding area
7:30AM: First case start
~9:30AM: Morning break (15 min)
12:00PM: Lunch break (30 min)
~3:00PM: Afternoon break/inpatient preops (~20 min)
5:00-6:00PM: Finish last case, head home*
*End time is variable. The majority of residents on most days leave by 5:00PM. Sometimes residents leave earlier and sometimes residents elect to finish a long-running case. Our staff always attempt to relieve residents in late-running rooms so they can get home to their families, especially if they are on call the next day.

Optional parking is provided in one of Hopkins secure parking garages. The cost of parking is significantly subsidized by the department and a minimal amount is taken out in payroll deduction for those who park here.

Many Hopkins residents choose to live in downtown Baltimore, though there are many beautiful suburbs that are a short drive from the Hopkins Medical Campus. Popular neighborhoods in the city include Fell's Point, Federal Hill, Mt. Washington, Mount Vernon, and Hampden. Popular suburbs include Ellicott City, Towson, Columbia, Owings Mills, and White Marsh. Owings Mills is particularly popular because there is a Metro station there. The metro has a stop on the Hopkins medical campus, making a car-free commute possible for Owings Mills residents.

Our residency is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. We have residents from Nigeria, Germany, India, Pakistan, Canada, and many other countries. Our resident group is a mix of different religions, sexual orientations, and ages. There is a relatively even mix between married and unmarried residents.

Living In Baltimore
Baltimore offers a unique blend of historic charm, ethnic heritage and urban vitality, serving a community of people of all backgrounds and interests.

Johns Hopkins Medicine offers a comprehensive web-based guide for new recruits. You can find it here.

Residents get involved on the national level at the annual ASA meeting

From left: Pediatric Anesthesia Fellow Christine Mai, Anesthesia Resident Emmett Whitaker, Pediatric Anesthesia Fellow Mike Lee, and Pediatric Anesthesia Fellow Charles Zakahla enjoy each other's company at the Orlando ASA meeting in 2008.

Resident, Dr. Chinwe Ajuba-Iwuji, and 2010-2011 Chief Resident, Dr. Nishant Gandhi, enjoy a casual moment in New Orleans at the ASA meeting in 2009.

Residents, fellows, and faculty pause for a photo at the ASA meeting in 2008.

Residents frequently get together for group dinners when attending ASA meetings.

Chief Resident 2009-2010, Dr. Ty Martindale, and Chief Resident 2010-2011, Dr. Nishant Gandhi, compare leadership strategies.

Chief Resident 2010-2011, Dr. Joe Hung, presents original research at the 2009 ASA meeting.

Residents unwind at department-sponsored End-Of-Block Parties

From left: Mandy Dishon, Resident Josh Dishon, Jen Lehrer, and Resident Ira Lehrer. Spouses and significant others are always welcome at End-Of-Block Parties.

Outside the operating room, Hopkins residents can let loose and have fun with the best of them.

Residents enjoy the picturesque Baltimore Harbor on a summer night at the End-Of-Block Party.

Red Star is a popular destination for End-Of-Block Parties.

Residents Chris Faustin and Josh Dishon catch up on non-hospital happenings at an End-Of-Block party.

The residents enjoy some down time together at Woodberry Kitchen.

Annual Graduation Ceremonies held at M&T Bank Stadium

2008-2009 Chief Residents, Dr. Matt Crooks and Dr. Meredith Adams, are recognized for a year of hard work by Department Chairman, Dr. John Ulatowski.

Residents pose for a photo at the annual graduation ceremony.

Residents often enjoy each other's company after the official festivities have ended.

From left: Dr. Jeff Richman, Dr. Jay Patel, Dr. Mike Cordone, Dr. Bob Wong, Dr. Keith Patel.

Even in formal clothing, the fun-loving attitude of Hopkins residents shines through.

Residents and Faculty mingle at the Holiday Party.

Anual Crab Feast welcomes new residents

Residents and their families gather to welcome the new residents at the annual crab feast.

2008-2009 Chief Resident, Dr. Matt Crooks, Resident, Dr. Adam Carinci, Nate Crooks, and Cherry Crooks share a laugh at the annual crab feast.

Resident, Dr. Ben Kong, and Attending Anesthesiologist, Dr. Bob Wong, enjoy a Baltimore staple.

Residents engage in a pick-up football game at the crab feast.

Resident, Dr. Jay Patel, greets one of the youngest members of the Hopkins ACCM family.

It's a big family, but a close-knit one that we have here at Hopkins ACCM and it's fun to reuinte at the crab feast.

Annual holiday party

From left: Dr. Lakiesha Crawford, Dr. Enyi Nwaneri, and Dr. Ben Kong.

With the Baltimore Ravens' stadium as a backdrop, residents enjoy each other's company at the holiday party.

Dr. Sapna Kudchakar and Dr. Ben Kong at the holiday party.

Knowledge of the electric slide is not required for application to the ACCM residency, but is a talent that is widely appreciated.

From left: Ravi Kudchakar, Dr. Sapna Kudchakar, and Dr. Ben Kong.

Both residents, brother and sister, Dr. Grace Kong and Dr. Ben Kong enjoy Hopkins so much they made it a family tradition.

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