Axel Rodriguez, MD
Class of 2012
Let me just summarize by saying that when I arrived at the Department of Anesthesiology at UTMB for my residency interview, I was well qualified but an "outside-the-box" applicant. This program could have shunned me; in fact I was half expecting it. But as soon as I walked in, faculty members as well as residents were genuinely friendly and freely shared a trove of information about the experience there. Minutes after the naturally stressful interviews were over, I started talking with faculty members and residents about the clinical experience, the academics, as well as life in general. The easy- going personality of the program was a distinct contrast to the somewhat abrasive environment of my clinical rotations in the New York area. I then knew this would be my first choice in my rank order list and months later could not believe my luck when I matched there.
Now that I have completed Board Certification, I am awed by and feel immensely thankful for the opportunity I had. You'll work hard at UTMB, but if you have chosen well, you will love every minute of it. The academic preparation is solid and constantly improving; in fact; I actually wish I could remember everything I heard at the daily morning lectures. The clinical exposure is phenomenal, in both breath and depth. Faculty members will exude knowledge, experience and pure wisdom in an amazing array of variability in style and clinical strength. The resident that learns to tap that wealth of knowledge effectively will be very well prepared. When I finished my training and started work in private practice, I had the normal fears about not ever having the attending to turn to anymore, or being ready to supervise CRNAs with two decades of experience. Certainly, I have had my fair share of challenging cases that make our specialty so humbling. But my training has not failed me. I have found out that I was in fact ready but also trained well by some of the best there is.
Travis McVay, MD
Class of 2011
The 4 years I spent at UTMB were easily the best of my life. The family atmosphere made going to work everyday something to look forward to. The daily teaching and instruction I received helped me develop my personal style to deliver safe anesthetic care in multiple settings. I had access to every type of machine and airway device I would ever find in any hospital. The away rotations at Methodist and Driscoll gave me the opportunity to do anesthesia for the most complex patients I will likely ever see in my career. All of this made the transition to private practice a seamless one. I quickly became known as a skilled practitioner. The UTMB love didn't stop at graduation. I remain in touch consistently with former residents and attendings. I don't do much cardiac or high risk pediatric anesthesia in my current practice, but when I have patients that fall into these distinctions, my former attendings are still happy to help. I'm extremely proud to be an alumnus of the UTMB Anesthesiology residency.
Rahul Dasgupta, MD
Class of 2010
I think of the training and support I received during residency periodically and am so thankful for it. Having great attendings in a kind, supportive atmosphere really helped my grow. I feel it also allowed me to thrive in my pediatric anesthesia fellowship, and beyond as a new attending at Arkansas Children's' Hospital. I am so happy to have been a resident at UTMB.
Ruby Rubio, MD
Class of 2010
After residency, I was very well prepared to start in a private practice. I have memories of great faculty that made sure we were all well educated and proficient anesthesiologist, while providing a respectful working environment. Resident were always well taken care of including supervision, breaks, and educational materials. It was a family like environment that is hard to find elsewhere.