The UAB Department of Anesthesiology has changed its name to the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, a move to reflect the comprehensive scope of services the department provides to patients before, during and after surgery. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees recently approved the change.
The department provides anesthesia services, critical care medicine and pain management options for patients throughout the UAB Health System. Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Chair Keith A. (Tony) Jones, M.D., said approximately 30 percent of the department’s activity— a figure up 5 percent over the last decade—is providing care to patients before they have surgery and throughout their recovery.
“The new department name recognizes the fact that we’re more involved in perioperative care and reflects our commitment to collaborating with our colleagues to ensure optimal patient care delivery,” Jones said.
The updated name also aligns the department with other major national and international academic anesthesia departments.
Founded in 1948 by Alice McNeal, M.D., the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is committed to providing quality patient care through innovative clinical services, education and research. The department currently consists of 75 physician faculty, 11 non-clinician research faculty, 14 fellows and 78 residents. Jones said the department will introduce in July an expanded curriculum with new cores and required skills development for training physicians, giving residents more presence in perioperative settings.
April 30, 2015