The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received accreditation for a new anesthesiology residency program in its College of Medicine.

The residency program was approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) following a detailed application process that involved collaboration by the university and its partner teaching hospitals. The inaugural cohort of residents will start in July 2020.

Steven Boggs, MD, MBA, FASA, CPE, FAACD, professor and chair of Anesthesiology at UTHSC, said the residency program is a major step for the College of Medicine and the university.

"Anesthesia is a support service, but we're a critical support service, because we interface with so many areas of the hospital," he said. "Without a really strong anesthesia department, you are working in an academic center at a disadvantage."

Dr. Boggs also is chief of the Anesthesia Service at Regional One Health, a major teaching hospital for UTHSC. Faculty of the UTHSC Department of Anesthesiology staff hospitals across the city.

"Memphis is the largest city in size without an anesthesia residency, and there's no residency in this part of Tennessee," he said. "I know there's a tremendous demand for anesthesiologists in the Mid-South. So, I think we will be filling a very important niche."

Dr. Boggs said the clinical opportunities in Memphis are optimal for training anesthesiology residents. "Methodist has its transplant program, its cardiac program, and a stellar neurosurgery program. At Regional One Health, we excel in trauma care, the delivery of high-risk obstetrical care, and all of the acute pain work associated with orthopedic trauma. We have two exceptional pediatric hospitals, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Finally, the Memphis VA Medical Center is a critical partner. The clinical material we have here is as good as one could assemble anywhere. Our residents will be able to get a superb clinical experience during their residency program."

Each class will take three residents. An anesthesiology residency takes four years. "When we are fully in the four-year cycle, we will have 12 residents," Dr. Boggs said.