My name is Nick Bontempo and I am a second-year student in the Master of Science in Anesthesia Program at Case Western Reserve University in Washington, D.C. I am currently working to complete my pediatric rotation at Children’s National Medical Center in the District.
Pediatric anesthesia requires knowledge of pediatric anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry that must be applied differently than when providing anesthetic management for the adult population. My personal goals for this rotation are to gain increased experience in the management of the pediatric airway, perform regional anesthesia techniques specific to peds, and IV and A-line placement in this more challenging arena.
Being from Upstate New York, I was new to the Washington, D.C. area when I started the program, but I quickly discovered everything that Washington has to offer. With professional sports teams of every kind, a number of festivals and parades, food galore, beautiful waterfront areas, live music, and beaches within a 3-hour drive, this area has something for everyone.
My advice to both prospective and incoming students would be to know how you learn best before the program begins, which will enable you to make the most out of your time while you’re in Washington. Get your work done so that you have time to explore. Best of luck!
About this post: The Student Spotlight series highlights MSA students in their second year of coursework in Cleveland, Houston, and Washington. The series is a student-led initiative, and is designed to share current student experiences with prospective students.