Anesthesiology Residency

Overview of the Program

The Anesthesiology Residency Program at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School cultivates, trains, and mentors anesthesiology residents to achieve success in both their professional and personal lives. Residents are exposed to diverse cases and graduate from the program with a tremendous clinical experience that prepares them to be expert consultants in anesthesiology.

The program has a long track record of high-quality didactic education with protected time each week for the residents and a successful board pass rate. Most importantly, the department has a strong record of sub-specialty fellowship placement and successful job placement in top practices locally and around the country. Our program also hosts 5 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved fellowship training positions in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology and interventional pain management.

Throughout our 20 years, we have successfully recruited talented faculty with diverse interests and attracted superb residents. Our residency program was awarded ongoing full accreditation for an additional 4-year term beginning in 2011.

Curriculum / Clinical Training

Intern - Postgraduate Year (PGY1) is the Transitional Year and includes American Board of Anesthesiology Requirements. 

Clinical Anesthesia (CA)1 Rotations includes the Introduction to Anesthesiology. The first two months are dedicated to a robust clinical and didactic orientation program. Residents begin clinical training where they are paired with either a one-on-one attending or a senior resident. Each day ends with formal didactics to emphasize and reinforce fundamental academic topics. You will continue to solidify your foundations while gaining autonomy after this month. Residents do not take any calls during this time.

The rest of the year consists of 11, four-week rotations. Rotations includes cardiac anesthesia, vascular anesthesia, pain medicine, surgical ICU, post anesthesia care unit(PACU) and ambulatory preoperative evaluation clinic (PAT).

A typical rotation schedule is outlined below:

Anesthesiology Curriculum/ Clinical Training

Intern PGY1

CA1 Rotations

CA2 Rotations

CA3 Rotations

SICU (8 weeks) Introduction to anesthesiology months (8 weeks Cardiac anesthesia (4-8 weeks) Regional anesthesia (4 weeks)
Emergency Medicine (4 weeks) General Anesthesiology (24 weeks) Pediatric anesthesia (4 weeks) Pediatric anesthesia (4 weeks)
Internal Medicine (12 weeks) Pain Medicine (4 weeks) Neuro anesthesia (4 weeks) Pain Medicine (4 weeks)
General Anesthesiology (4 weeks) Cardiac (0-4 weeks) Vascular anesthesia (4 weeks) Neuro anesthesia (4 weeks)
Pediatrics (4 weeks) Obstetric anesthesia (0-4 weeks) Thoracic anesthesia (0-4 weeks) Thoracic anesthesia (4 weeks)
Cardiology (4 weeks) Perioperative Medicine/Pre-op Evaluation Clinic (4 weeks) ENT anesthesia (2 weeks) Obstetrics anesthesia (4-6 weeks)
Pulmonology (4 weeks) Vacation (4 weeks) PACU (2 weeks) Night Float (3pm – 9pm)
ENT (4 weeks)   Vacation (4 weeks) PACU (2 weeks)
Elective (4 weeks)     Elective (2 weeks)
Vacation (4 weeks)     Vacation (4 weeks)

Resident Advocacy

TBD - NJSSA Resident Delegate – Executive Committee
ASA Resident Delegate - State of N.J.

Our resident representative for the New Jersey State Society of Anesthesiologists (NJSSA) is pending announcement. NJSSA represents and supports NJ anesthesiologists both on the local and national level. One of his main initiatives as your representative is our commitment to supporting NJ’s anesthesiology residents and fellows during your training and beyond.

  • Anirudh (Rishi) Gorti, MD (CA3) - Representative:  Graduate Medical Education
  • Luke Karl, MD (CA2) - Representative:  Graduate Medical Education
  • Peter Nelson, MD (CA1) - Representative:  Graduate Medical Education
  • Kevaughn Henry, MD (Intern-PGY1) - Representative:  Graduate Medical Education
  • TBD - Delegate: Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)

The Committee of Interns and Residents represents the residents under Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, along with other residency programs across the nation. They play a crucial role in negotiating our residency contracts and assuring the residents' best interest is represented. Examples include call meal allowances, compensation days/extra pay for holidays worked, reimbursement for conferences/books/etc

In Our Own Words

  • Headshot of Benjamin Landgraf

    Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ! We are thrilled about your interest in a career in anesthesiology and appreciate that you are taking the time to learn more about our program.

    Our mission is to cultivate, train, and mentor our anesthesiology residents to achieve success in both their professional and personal lives. Residents are exposed to diverse cases and graduate from the program with a tremendous clinical experience that we feel truly prepares them to be expert consultants in anesthesiology.

    The residency program is transitioning from an advanced match program to a categorical program with twelve (12) positions. In 2022 we will match 4 categorical positions and 8 advanced positions. By 2024 we will match only categorical residents with twelve per class.

    All resident rotations are located at one location, reducing the need to learn multiple systems in a short period of time. The main hospital is Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where all four years are based. All pediatric rotations are located at Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital which is directly attached to the main hospital and staffed by our faculty. The Plum Street Surgical Center is located across the street and staffed by our faculty as well.

    The program has a long track record of high-quality didactic education with protected time each week for the residents and a successful board pass rate. Most importantly, the department has a strong record of sub-specialty fellowship placement and successful job placement in top practices locally and around the country. Our program also hosts 5 ACGME-approved fellowship training positions in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology and interventional pain management.

    The faculty members in our program have a strong sense of commitment to the education and mentorship of our residents. We believe in helping each resident grow to achieve his or her life goals. At Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School we strive to be a warm, friendly, and non-intimidating environment in which to train. Best of luck with your journey. We hope to see you soon!

    Benjamin Landgraf, MD
    Residency Program Director
    Assistant Professor of Anesthesia
    landgrbr@rwjms.rutgers.edu
    Phone: 732-235-6631
    Fax: 732-235-5100

  • Dear Applicants,

    Welcome to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Anesthesiology Residency Program!

    As the 2023-2024 Chief Residents, we greatly appreciate your interest in our program and are excited to give you a glimpse into our world. In short, this is a wonderful place to train, developing residents that become well-rounded, clinically adept physician consultants of anesthesiology. Under the leadership of Dr. Mellender as our program director, our residency continues to evolve with weekly resident didactics and the incorporation of a state-of-the-art simulation center into our training.

    Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is a Level-1 trauma center located in New Brunswick, NJ. Residents spend their entire training at the 800-plus-bed University Hospital, which also includes The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Providing care to a diverse population, our residents are exposed to a wide array of high-acuity cases, while attending to multiple critical care needs and performing various subspecialty procedures. With our state-of-the-art operating rooms and cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, and trauma intensive care units, we are a leading referral center for the most demanding cases in New Jersey. All of these rich clinical experiences will help you develop and hone skills that will ultimately serve you exceptionally well for the rest of your career.

    Moreover, not just our tremendous pride in our clinical training, we also value a balanced life. Our 55-65 hour work week (on average) gives us adequate time outside of the hospital to pursue personal interests and enjoy life away from training. We are conveniently located within driving distance from both New York City and Philadelphia, and the Central New Jersey area is a safe, affordable, and developing community suitable for any lifestyle. Finally, as a testament to our program, many of our graduates decide to stay here for fellowship and/or join our faculty, infusing a department full of experience and knowledge with energy and innovation.

    Thank you for your interest in our program. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any of your questions. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to meeting you!

    Best regards,

    Shalonda Cook, MD
    Anirudh "Rishi" Gorti, MD
    Steven Pope, MD

  • 2023 Graduates

    Evan Berger, D.O. - Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship - Ichan SOM - Mount Sinai NYC

    Marissa Burns, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice - Miami FL

    Justin Chiang, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Northwell Health - NY

    Priscila Da Silva, M.D. - Pediatric Fellowship - UNC SOM, NC

    Nathaniel Hughes, M.D. - Cardiothoracic Fellowship - Emory SOM, GA

    Ada Ike, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice, NJ

    Bisma Masroor, D.O. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice, NJ

    Pooja Patel, M.D. - Cardiothoracic Fellowship - NYU, NY

    Angelique Petropouleas, D.O. - Anesthesiologist, Northwell Health - NY

    Matthew Sarubbi, M.D. - Regional Anesthesiology Fellowship - University of Pittsburgh, PA


    Fellows

    Karina Braslavskaya, M.D. - Anesthesiologist/Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Long Island, NY
    Eileen Kodack, M.D. - Anesthesiologist/Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, RWJBH, NJ
    Khushboo Baldev, M.D. - Anesthesiologist/Pain Medicine, Private Practice, FL
    Kevin Ko, M.D. - Anesthesiologist/Pain Medicine, Private Practice NJ
    Eytan Rosenbloom, D.O. - PM&R/Pain Medicine, Private Practice, NJ

    2022 Graduates

    Brittany Ahuja, M.D. - Pediatric Fellowship - Children's National Hospital,Washington DC

    Marc Beckerman, M.D. - Regional Fellowship - Mount Sinai NYC

    Matt Berman, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Boston Medical Center

    Karina Braslavskaya, M.D. - Cardiothoracic Fellowship - Rutgers RWJMS

    Sean Cofano, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Lenoxhill NYC

    Attila Dobos, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Southern Illinois Hospital

    Tom Gliozzo, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice, FL

    Kevin Ko, M.D. - Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship - Rutgers RWJMS

    Andrew Milanesi, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Chilton Medical Center NJ

    Shivam Mital, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, St. Peter's University Hospital

    Devesh Patel, D.O. - Cardiothoracic Fellowship - Hartford Hospital Uconn Health


    Fellows

    Marie Caruso, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, St. Joseph's NJ
    Randall Holtby, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice, CA
    Christina Brooks, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, ThedaCare – Mayo Clinic Care Network, WI
    Yuriy Ivanov, D.O. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice NYC
    Tadeh Setaghian, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice, CA

    2021 Graduates

    Kate Balbi, D.O. - Cedars Sinai – OB Anesthesia Fellowship
    Cara Esser, M.D. - Johns Hopkins – Neuroanesthesia Fellowship
    Christina Brooks, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS – Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship
    Janak Bhatt, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS – Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship
    Aaron Bernotas, M.D. - St. Christopher’s – Pediatric Fellowship
    Daniel Edrich, M.D. - Anesthesiologist - Staten Island University Hospital, NY
    Ami Patel, D.O. - Anesthesiologist - Long Island Jewish Medical Center
    Alec Moran, D.O. - Anesthesiologist - United States Army
    Justin Chacko, M.D. - Anesthesiologist - Staten Island University Hospital, NY
    Bradley Fong, M.D. - Anesthesiologist - Mount Sinai, NY

    2020 Graduates

    Temitope Adegbola, M.D. - St. Christopher’s Hospital Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship
    Matthew Bushman, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Staten Island University Northwell Health
    Sarah Lim, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship
    Vrajesh Mehta, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS Pain Medicine Fellowship
    Jozelito Numa, D.O. - Anesthesiologist, Jersey Shore University Medical Center
    Preet Patel, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS Pain Medicine Fellowship
    Justin Roberts, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship
    Tejas Shah, M.D. - Rutgers RWJMS Pain Medicine Fellowship
    Heather Stoddard Klinedinst, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital

    Fellows

    Demitri Adrahtas, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, UMass Memorial Medical Center
    Akshay Goyal, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Rutgers RWJMS Department of Anesthesiology
    Rebecca Lee, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Loyola Medicine – Trinity Health
    Esther Ogunyemi, M.D. - Anesthesiologist, Private Practice NYC

Current Residents

Shalonda Cook, MD
Chief Resident
Internship: Internal Medicine
Temple University Hospital, PA

Anirudh Gorti, MD
Chief Resident
Internship: Internal Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center, MD

Steven Pope, MD
Chief Resident
Internship: Internal Medicine
The Christ Hospital, OH

Carain Bonner, MD
CA-3
Internship: Internal Medicine
Mount Sinai - St Luke's Hospital, NY

Vishal Gandhi, MD
CA-3
Internship: Internal Medicine
Temple University Hospital, PA

Lori-Ann Glasgow, MD
CA-3
Internship: Internal Medicine
Penn State Hershey, PA

David Habibian, MD
CA-3
Internship: Medicine
Lincoln Medical Center, NY

Sabina Musovic, MD
CA-3
Internship: Transitional Year
Lincoln Medical Center, NY

Hari Patel, MD
CA-3
Internship: Transitional Year
University of Virginia Medical Center, VA

Avanti Suresh, MD
CA-3
Internship: Internal Medicine
Jersey Shore Medical Center, NJ

JoAnn Thomas-Lewis, MD
CA-3
Internship: Transitional Year
Osceola Regional Medical Center, FL

Emmanuel Tadjou Tito, MD
CA-3
Internship: Transitional Year
Sinai Hospital - Baltimore, MD

Raymond Amponsah, MD
CA-2
Internship: Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Katrina Bantis, DO
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Nassau University Medical Center

Mitchell Gilson, MD
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Luke Karl, MD
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

Adiell Melamed, MD
CA-2
Internship: Internal Medicine
Maimonides Medical Center

Mohammad Nawaz, MD
CA-2
Internship: Internal Medicine
SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn

Lucy Paul, MD
CA-2
Internship: Medicine
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

Edward Ramos, MD
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Mount Sinai South Nassau

Kamil Sochacki, DO
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Isrin Srisethnil, MD
CA-2
Internship: Transitional Year
Garnet Health Medical Center

Jeremy Tang, MD
CA-2
Internship: Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Alexander Zhang, MD
CA-2
Internship: Internal Medicine
Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Mary Aziz, MD
CA-1
Internship: Internal Medicine
Staten Island University Hospital - North

Evelyn Borchert-Billik, MD
CA-1
Internship: General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Thomas DiSanto, MD
CA-1
Internship: Internal Medicine
Hackensack University Medical Center Internal Medicine New Jersey

Michelle Gaglia, DO
CA-1
Internship: Pediatrics
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Geetha Hiremath, MD
CA-1
Internship: Internal Medicine
Nassau University Medical Center East Meadow, NY

Alexis Morin, DO
CA-1
Internship: General Surgery
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Peter Nelson, DO
CA-1
Internship: Internal Medicine
Zucker SOM-Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital: NY, NY

Eric Otto, Jr., MD
CA-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Connor Rademaker, MD
CA-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Omar Singer, MD
CA-1
Internship: Internal Medicine
New Jersey Medical School Newark, NJ

Abanoub Tadrousse, MD
CA-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Stephanie Vicari - Sabo, MD
CA-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Reuben D'Souza, MD
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Jared Gennett, MD
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Kevaughn Henry, MD
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Hesbon Isaboke, MD
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Ershad Khan, DO
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Ketav Patel, MD
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Joseph Romero, DO
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Katelyn Wyman, DO
Intern PGY-1
Internship: Transitional Year
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ

Benefits and Salary

Our residency and fellowship programs offer a uniform package of benefits consistent with those provided at all graduate medical educational programs operated by the medical school. Full details regarding benefits and salary are continuously updated by the Office of Graduate Medical Education.

An image of medical students talking and laughing

Didactics

We are committed to helping our residents be as prepared as possible for their American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Basic and Advanced Examinations, along with the ABA Oral Examination. There is dedicated four-hour protected didactic time every week for all residents. The didactic program consists of individualized curricula for each training year as well as combined didactics.

Combined Didactics

Combined didactics occur weekly on Wednesday mornings from 6:30 am-8:30 am and include lectures and Grand Rounds consisting of either clinical case presentations, journal club, M&M or an invited outside speaker.

CA-1 Lecture Series

The CA-1 lecture series focuses on preparation for the new ABA Basic Exam that follows the CA-1 year. This lecture series is a weekly lecture on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 am. Every CA-1 is relieved from all clinical duties to attend these lectures.

CA-2 and CA-3 Lecture Series

The CA-2/3 lecture series focuses on advanced topics and takes a more in-depth approach to both fundamental physiology and pharmacology, along with the subspecialties of anesthesia. This lectures series is designed to provide a foundation for the ABA advanced written board examination. Lectures occur weekly on Wednesdays from 11-1 pm (CA-2s) and 1-3 pm (CA-3s) just as the CA-1 lecture series, all CA-2/3 residents are relieved from clinical duties.

Anesthesiology student smiling

Research

We encourage students, residents and fellows to engage in academic and scholarly activities. We consider participation in scholarly activities to be an essential component of education and resident development. 

Most of our residents present at least one local or national annual conferences or meetings. Residents who participate in scientific presentations at local or national anesthesiology meetings or conferences get expenses reimbursed by the department.

Members of the anesthesiology team

Contact Us

Dr. Benjamin Landgraf
Residency Program Director
Assistant Professor
Phone: 732-235-6631
Fax: 732-235-5100
Email: landgrbr@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Doreen M. Stillwell
Residency/Fellowship Program Supervisor 
Phone: 732-235-6631
Fax: 732-235-5100
Email: doreen.stillwell@rutgers.edu

Martha Caldera
Residency Program Assistant 
Phone: 732-235-6153
Fax: 732-235-6131
Email: caldermv@rwjms.rutgers.edu