Frequently Asked Program Questions

How many residents are in each class?
A: We offer 6 categorical positions each year in a four-year categorical program.

Q: What qualifications does the program look for in residency applicants?
A: Applicants who demonstrate strong academic performance, interest in serving underserved communities, and leadership skills and professionalism will be invited to an interview.

Q: Do I need to take USMLE step 2?
A: A USMLE Step 2 score is required before applying to SJMC residency program. Completion of USMLE step 3 is required before beginning the CA-1 year.

Q: What is the minimum USMLE Step 2 score that I need to be considered?
A: We review applications holistically with no cut off for Step 2, but the vast majority of our interviews go to applicants with a score above 230.

Q: What are the requirements for DO applicants?
A: Doctors of osteopathic medicine candidates are encouraged to take the USMLE. However, individuals that provide only COMLEX scores are considered.

Q: Is there a medical school graduation cut off year?
A: No.

Q: Do you require any research experience?
A: No, however, research experience is encouraged.

Q: Are Foreign Medical Graduates accepted in your residency? What types of visas are sponsored?
A: We consider all applicants to our program. We accept J-1 visa, but we do not sponsor visas.

Q: Are positions available outside the match?
A: No positions are available outside of the match at this time.

Q: Do you offer high-fidelity patient simulation (HPS) during training?
A: We have a dedicated Simulation Center, which is used throughout the residency for initial Orientation, Boot Camp Training, practice crisis management scenarios, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) preparation.

Q: Is free parking provided?
A: Yes. Parking is included at all clinical sites free of charge.

Q: Are there moonlighting opportunities?
A: No.

Q: What is a typical workday like for an anesthesiology resident?
A: Typical day during general operating room rotation starts around 06:30 AM with setting up the operating room and performing preoperative evaluation and obtaining informed consent of the first patient. At 7:15 AM the OR technician will take the patient to the OR. The staff will give you a 15- minute break in the morning, a 30-minute break for lunch and a 15 minutes afternoon break. All residents will be relieved from clinical duties at approximately 1700  if not on call.

Q: What do you do to prepare residents for board certification?
A: Our curriculum provides an intense preparation for board certification by offering the following educational opportunities:

• Introductory lecture series: This lecture series is dedicated to helping new residents learn the basics of anesthesiology. These lectures run for the first 4 weeks of CA-1 year.
• In Training exam preparation: Our resident lecture series, Problem-Based Learning Discussions, ABA keyword topics review, and practice questions synergistically prepare our residents for ITE.
• ABA basic exam preparation: Our CA-1 lectures are based entirely on the ABA basic examination content outline. In addition, we have a comprehensive ABA keyword topics review and practice questions prior to the exam.
• ABA advanced exam preparation: Our CA-2 and CA-3 lectures are Problem-Based Learning Discussions and based entirely on the ABA advanced examination content outline.
• Oral board exam preparation: Our residents participate in semiannual mock oral examinations, which simulate the actual examination.
• OSCE exam preparation: we provide practice sessions to prepare residents for the OSCE component of the applied ABA certification staged exams.

Q: What is the role of CRNAs in the department?
A: CRNAs are an essential component of the anesthesiology care team model. In this residency program, you will have the opportunity to work alongside our CRNAs and better understand your future role as leader of the anesthesiology care team.

Q: What is your faculty-to-resident ratio?
A: The faculty-to-resident ratio will be 1:1 for the first two months of the CA-1 year, then 1:2. This means that an anesthesiologist will cover two resident rooms. The ratio for cardiac cases is 1:1.

Q: Do you offer electives during the final year of residency training?
A: We offer two electives in CA‐3 year with many unique opportunities ranging from research and away rotations in various subspecialties

Q: What fellowships are offered?
A: There are currently no anesthesiology fellowships offered at SJMC.

Q: What is a typical workday like for an anesthesiology resident?
A: Typical day during general operating room rotation starts around 06:30 AM with setting up the operating room and performing preoperative evaluation and obtaining informed consent of the first patient. At 7:15 AM the OR technician will take the patient to the OR. The staff will give you a 15- minute break in the morning, a 30-minute break for lunch, and a 15 minutes afternoon break. All residents will be relieved from clinical duties at approximately 16:30 PM if not on call.

Q: How often do residents work?
A: Residents work an average of 55-60 hours per week. This is rotation-dependent.

Q: How much call do residents take?
A: Call varies from rotation to rotation. While on your CV and pediatric rotations, you will take home calls and rotate days/weekends with the other resident(s). While on OB, there will be four overnight 24-hour shifts per month (1/week); post-call day follows. 

Q: How much time do residents get for vacations and Meetings?
A: Residents receive 21 vacation days per year and five days allotted for conferences.

Q: Do you provide an Educational fund?
A: Yes.

Q: What does the resident educational fund cover?
A: Residents receive $1,000 annually from their CBY to CA-3 years. Chief Residents have a $1500 educational fund. The funds can be used for books, question banks, USMLE Step 3, ABA basic and advanced exams, and other educational materials. 

Q: Do you provide funding for conferences?
A: Junior and Senior residents and fellows can be approved for conference travel. The Program Director must approve the travel. We provide $1,200 for registration and travel for national conferences and $750 for regional meetings. 

Q: Do residents have protected time for education?
A: Residents are given protected time to attend weekly lectures, PBLDs, Journal Clubs, and academic conferences.

Q: What is the cost of living in Stockton?
A: Stockton is one of the most affordable places to live in northern California. The median household income is $71,612 and the median home sale price is $441,009.