FAQs About Our Program

Q: What are your USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK minimum score requirements? Any maximum number of attempts required?

A: Because of the large number of applications we receive, our initial filter is on USMLE scores of Pass for Step 1 and 220 for Step 2 or the COMLEX equivalent. However, we look at the applicant’s entire body of work.

Q: To be granted an interview, do you require both exams Step 1 and Step 2 CK?

A: Yes, to be granted an interview, we require both Step 1 and Step 2.

Q: At the time of application, do you require the ECFMG Certificate?

A: We do not require an ECFMG certificate until one month before July 1 start.

Q: When is your application deadline?

A: Our application deadline is December 1.

Q: Do you accept IMG’s?

A: We have a diverse resident population.  We recruit locally, regionally and internationally.

Q: Do you require US Clinical experience? If so, how long?

A: No, we do not require clinical experience.

Q: Do you accept the J1 visa or sponsor H1?

A: We accept the J1 visa. For information on other non-immigrant visa types, or if you have questions, visit the UAMS Immigration Services page, or contact UAMS Immigration Services at AskImmigration@uams.edu.

Q: Do you have a cutoff since graduation?

A: We require our applicants to be no more two years out from graduation of medical school.

Q: Will you be hosting this year’s interview online, in person or both?

A: The 2024 interview season will be virtual. There is the possibility of an in person look following certification of rank list. This will be confirmed at a later date.

Q: Do you have any unique Letter of Recommendation requirements?

A: We require three LORs.

Q: How many hospitals do you rotate through?

A: During intern year, most residents will complete two to three rotations at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, one rotation at Baptist Hospital, one rotation at St. Vincent CHI, and one to two rotations at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The CA-1 and CA-2 years are all at UAMS, with the exception of eight weeks at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The CA-3 year includes a four-week cardiac rotation at Arkansas Heart Hospital and an ambulatory surgery acute pain rotation at the new Orthopaedic Spine Hospital that is located on the UAMS campus.

Q: Is it hard rotating at all those sites?

A: Residents find it easy to integrate into off site rotations. Upper-level residents will provide you with a wealth of information about what to expect and how to be successful during off-site rotations.

Q: Do you have any wellness days?

A: Residents receive about six post call academic wellness days following third call, which is an overnight home call shift, with call back rates under five percent of shifts.

Q: Do you have structured mentor relationships?

A: A mentor is assigned to each resident at the start of residency. Residents are free to request a change if they find they are not a good fit or if a different mentor would better align with your professional and academic interests.

Q: Do residents have elective time?

A: Residents with particular interests in OB, Chronic Pain, Cardiac Acute Pain, and Pediatric Anesthesia may request additional rotations during their CA-3 year. Arkansas Children’s Hospital also offers a Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia rotation for those interested in congenital heart defect repair.

Q: How are the case numbers at UAMS?

A: Although you will meet your minimum ACGME case numbers at any anesthesia residency, you will absolutely exceed your case numbers at UAMS easily and early on. The benefit of not having to worry about our case numbers is that we are subsequently able to choose the cases we want to do based on our preference and not out of necessity and can also step into the supervisory role of an attending anesthesiologist during our CA-3 year. As I’ve interviewed for positions next year prospective employers have been impressed with the breadth of the UAMS clinical experience and the quality of our training.

Q: What are the clinical opportunities like at UAMS?

A: The clinical opportunities at UAMS are unparalleled. Being the only Level  1 trauma center in the state of Arkansas, we have almost 3,000 trauma admissions each year, approximately 19,000 surgical cases, and a multi-state catchment area. Additionally, UAMS is the main high-risk obstetrics center in Arkansas, and in 2020 the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia was designated a Center of Excellence by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP). This status is awarded to institutions who demonstrate excellence in obstetric care, setting benchmarks for optimal care to improve standards nationally. Arkansas Children’s Hospital is our free-standing Level  1 Pediatric Trauma Center offering 18,000 anesthetics per year, giving you a wide complement of cases within pediatrics. Recently, we have partnered with the Arkansas Heart Hospital to expand our cardiac case experience and master our transesophageal echocardiogram skills. All this to say you will be introduced to complex surgical patients with multiple comorbidities early in your CA-1 year and consequently far exceed ACGME case minimums in all areas. Whether you decide to do general anesthesiology or pursue a fellowship, our residents perform exceptionally and match nationally at competitive fellowship programs.

Q: How are didactics integrated into the program?

A: UAMS is dedicated to residents’ education. Our didactics consist of three hour sessions every week, and we have 24/7 access to our state-of-the-art simulation center, which is also one of the nationwide MOCA (Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology) centers.

Q: Are there any leadership or research opportunities?

A: There are plenty of leadership opportunities to join including partaking in resident council, teaching medical students or co-residents, and volunteering for events. We also have ongoing research opportunities within obstetrics, regional, chronic pain, and neuroanesthesia, just to name a few.