Dr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Dr. Claudia Sotillo who is the Associate Program Director for the Tufts Medical Center anesthesiology residency program. Today, Dr. Sotillo shares her experience exploring and pursuing the field of anesthesia and how you can do the same.
[01:10] Introducing Dr. Claudia Sotillo
[08:09] Why Anesthesiology?
[14:52] Qualities of a Great Anesthesiology Applicant
[17:34] How to Get Exposure to Anesthesiology
[24:44] What Dr. Sotillo Would Change About Healthcare
[27:02] Dr. Sotillo’s Advice to Pre-meds and Medical Students
Why Anesthesia?
At the start, Dr. Sotillo was interested in surgery but eventually grew curious about anesthesia. After taking an introductory class, she found the wide scope of the field appealing. She also liked that anesthesiologists have to establish good rapport with patients in a short amount of time. It’s their job to comfort, guide, and reassure patients before an operation. Anesthesiologists are always planning ahead to anticipate what may be needed in surgery.
The Ideal Anesthesiology Candidate
Anything can happen during surgery, a good candidate should be adaptable to change. Anesthesiologists often work with others so they need to be a team player. Taking ownership of mistakes is also invaluable. There will be inevitable mistakes along the way, a physician should remain humble and learn to move forward. Creativity is another great skill to have.
Exploring Anesthesia
If your school has an anesthesia rotation or elective, sign up for it. If your school doesn’t have an opportunity for you, sign up for an external rotation through the Visiting Student Application System (VSAS) or through your nearest academic center. You can also get involved with the
American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA). They have research programs and an annual conference every October.
Reach out to Dr. Claudia Sotillo through Twitter. Got questions, feedback, or suggestions? Send a message to Dr. Erkeda DeRouen’s Instagram or MedSchoolCoach’s Instagram.
