Research
There are many opportunities to either participate in an ongoing research project or design a study. Examples of current projects include the following:
- Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients: Identifying Resilience and Vulnerability Profiles
- Long-Term Real-World Outcomes Study on Patients Implanted with a Neurostimulator (REALITY) - NCT03876054
- A 5-year Superion™ IDS Clinical Outcomes Post-Approval Evaluation (SCOPE) - NCT04192591
- AMPA Receptor Agonist (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine Attenuate Opioid Tolerance and Dependence
- Testing and evaluation of pattern matching software in medical diagnostic imaging
- Comparative Effectiveness for Delirium Prevention: Nurse-Guided vs. Standardized Frequency Reorientation in PACU
- Optimizing the use of ketamine to reduce chronic postsurgical pain
- XANADO- External sensing and Neuromodulation to Assess Diabetic Pain outcomes - NCT05537662
Conferences
In addition to GME benefits, residents who participate in scientific presentations at regional or national anesthesiology meetings or conferences will have travel, food and registration expenses reimbursed by the Rush Department of Anesthesiology. Examples of recent conferences that residents have participated in are:
Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference
The Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC) was held in-person in Indianapolis, IN, April 25th-27th, 2025. It was hosted by Indiana University, University of Louisville, and University of Toledo. The Rush Department of Anesthesiology has nearly 20 research studies or case reports presented by residents each year. Five awards were presented to Rush University Department of Anesthesiology residents for their presentations. At the 2019 MARC Conference Dr. Salvin Jacob and Dr. Drew LaCombe achieved the honor of earning an Association of Midwest Academic Anesthesia Chairs awards for Basic Science Poster Presentations.
American Society of Anesthesiologists Meeting
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists took place in San Antonio, TX. Many of our residents and attendings were in attendance. The 2026 annual meeting will take place in San Diego, CA October 16-20, 2026.
Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Meeting
Four Rush residents presented at the 2025 Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and Thoracic Anesthesia Symposium Meeting in Montreal, Canada.
International Anesthesia Research Society Meeting
A Rush resident presented virtually at the 2022 International Anesthesia Research Society and International Science Symposium Meeting.
Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2023 Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists Meeting in Denver, CO.
Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2025 Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Meeting in Portland, OR.
American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) Regional Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2021 ASRA Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting in San Francisco.
Society of Pediatric Anesthesiology Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2025 Society of Pediatric Anesthesiology Meeting in Orlando, FL.
Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2018 Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology Meeting in New York City, NY.
American Society of Regional Anesthesia Pain Medicine Meeting
Rush residents presented at the 2023 American Society of Regional Anesthesia Pain Medicine Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
North American Neuromodulation Society Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2024 North American Neuromodulation Society Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.
American Academy of Pain Medicine Meeting
Rush residents presented at the 2023 American Academy of Pain Medicine Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
American Society of Pain and Neuroscience Meeting
A Rush resident presented at the 2023 American Society of Pain and Neuroscience Meeting in Miami, FL.
Resident advocacy activities
We are proud of our broad resident involvement in professional societies. These currently include:
Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists
The following Rush residents were voted in for 2024-2025: Annie Yao, DO (Vice President) and Michael Schmitz, MD (Secretary). Jessica Richelieu, MD, was voted 2023-2024 president of the Resident Component of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists. As part of her duties, she served as the Illinois delegate of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Resident House of Delegates during last year's ASA annual meeting in San Francisco, held October 13-17, 2023. Past Rush residents who served as presidents were Angelica Vargas, MD (2016-2017) and Sara Izzo, DO (2022-2023).
As board members, our residents work to fulfill the mission of the ISA, which includes efforts in the following:
- Encourage residents to participate in the activities of the ISA and the ASA
- Nurture leadership in organized medicine
- Communicate resident concerns to the ISA board of directors and participate in the decision-making process
- Facilitate transition to active membership in the ISA and ASA upon completion of residency
Other activities
- American Society of Anesthesiologists: Several Rush residents serve as ASA resident delegates.
- Rush House Staff Association: delegate representation
- Rush House Staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: delegate representation
- American Medical Association: delegate representation