Program Overview

Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain Fellowship

The University of Utah’s Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship offers a one-year, ACGME-accredited experience that prepares anesthesiologists to become leaders in regional anesthesia and pain management. Fellows gain hands-on training in regional techniques, acute and chronic pain, addiction medicine, and perioperative pain planning—while enjoying a supportive team culture and unmatched access to the outdoors.

Program Overview

The University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology has a strong tradition of training outstanding regional anesthesiologists and acute pain medicine specialists. Our one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship provides robust training in regional anesthesia, acute pain management, chronic and cancer pain, addiction medicine, and trauma and pediatric regional anesthesia.

Fellows maintain a balanced clinical practice by continuing to provide anesthesia in the operating room, with an emphasis on perioperative pain planning. Early in the year, the focus is on skill development and advanced pain management techniques. As the year progresses, fellows take on increased responsibilities in clinical leadership and education, supervising residents and medical students under faculty guidance.

Specialized Training & Academic Opportunities

Rotations & Specializations

• Regional Anesthesia: University of Utah Hospital (UH), University Orthopaedic Center (UUOC), Huntsman Cancer Hospital (HCH)
  • Extensive training in neuraxial procedures, peripheral and truncal nerve blocks, and continuous catheter placement.
• Acute Pain Medicine: UH, HCH, VA Medical Center
  • Manage complex surgical and nonsurgical acute pain, including patients on buprenorphine, naltrexone, and extended-release opioids. Experience with epidurals, continuous catheters, ketamine infusions, and PCA.
• Pediatric Regional Anesthesia: Primary Children’s Medical Center (PCMC)
  • Training in pediatric acute pain and regional techniques for children undergoing surgery.
• Chronic Pain Medicine: Pain Management Center, HCH
  • Interdisciplinary exposure to chronic and cancer pain management with board-certified Pain Medicine specialists.

Additional Educational Opportunities

• Daily 1:1 instruction with RAAPM faculty
• Weekly didactics
• Monthly anatomy lab sessions
• Special lectures: addiction medicine, nerve conduction studies/EMG
• Monthly departmental Grand Rounds
• Quarterly complex case conferences.
• Journal Club: Regional Anesthesia and related topics

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• UTA public transportation (included with University ID)
• 3 weeks of vacation, 1 week of personal/professional leave (e.g., sick days, interviews, board exams), 1 week of conference time (ASRA, ASA, SAMBA or IARS)
• Educational and conference stipends
• Internet reimbursement and MacBook for the fellowship year
• Optional discounted iPhone with service
• Moonlighting: Voluntary, compensated at faculty rates; available after hours, weekends, and holidays

Program Details

• Program Length: 1 Year
• Start Date: August 1
• Accreditation: ACGME
• Positions Available: 4
• Application Window: RAAPM Fellowship Timeline
• Eligibility: Completion of ACGME Anesthesiology Residency

Application Requirements

• 3 Letters of Recommendation (1 from PD or Chair, 2 from physicians who have directly observed your clinical work and can attest to your medical knowledge, technical skill, and ability to work collaboratively and communicate professionally with colleagues and patients)
• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• USMLE & Medical School Transcripts
• Medical Diploma
• ECFMG Certification (if applicable)

Application Timeline

• January 2025: Applicant Registration Opens
• February-April, 2025: Interviews
• June 2, 2025 @12:00pm PT: Match Deadline
• June 9, 2025 @9am PT: Match Results

Leadership & Faculty

Leadership

• Jacob Pollard, MD: Program Director
• Kasi Goodwin, MD: Associate Program Director
• Eric Piacenza, MD: Director, Acute Pain Services

Faculty

• Bridger Bach, MD
• Emilee Borgmeier, MD
• Jacob Brandenburg, MD, MBA
• Jay Buys, MD
• Blake Campbell, MD
• Kevin Conrad, MD
• Jennifer Davis, MD
• Katherine Koniuch, MD
• Evelyn Loose, MD
• Alastair Moody, MD
• Catriona Moody, MD
• Nathan Orgain, MD
• Kianna Shotorbani, MD
• Amelia Updegraff, MD
• Michael Wagner, MD
• Jacob Whittle, MD, MS