Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am about to become a sophomore at Bronx high school of science. My parent want me to decide what I want to do. So I am wondering about Anesthesiology. It's 4 years, then 4 years in medical school(NYU), then 4 years specializing. Those first 4 years are you doing a bachelor. What specific classes should I take during that time. When I let my medical school now I want to specialize in Anesthesiology will they give me the classes i need. Also can you tell me a little about the 4 years after med school. How long do I have to work for residency? About how much does this all cost? Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Here are some answers:

Those first 4 years are you doing a bachelor.

Yes. You are doing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

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What specific classes should I take during that time.

There are certain prerequisite classes such as Organic and Inorganic chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Genetics, etc tht you must take to get into medical school.

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When I let my medical school now I want to specialize in Anesthesiology will they give me the classes i need.

No. In medical school you learn all aspects of medicine. You don't specialize. During your residency you will learn all you need to know about anesthesia.

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Also can you tell me a little about the 4 years after med school. How long do I have to work for residency?

The 4 years after med school is your residency where you learn the specialty of anesthesia. Each year you will do tougher and tougher cases so that you will be proficient when you are done. You are paid during this time. As for hours, you will work up to 80 hours per week during residency.

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About how much does this all cost?

Med school costs depend on where you go. State schools are cheaper, private much more expensive. Total costs for 4 yrs can range from $40,000 to over $100,000. During residency you get paid between $35,000 and $45,000 depending on where you work.


Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First of all I will like to thank you for your answer. Second of all if I take a class like AP Biology (and get good grades [5/5 on ap test]) do I have to take biology while i am doing my bachelors. Also, when I am done with medical school and begin to specialize in anesthesia and It's to hard for me so I drop out. Am i still a doctor. Also were do you do residency? If it's at a university which one is the best anesthesia univesity. Thank you. Please reply.
ANSWER: Second of all if I take a class like AP Biology (and get good grades [5/5 on ap test]) do I have to take biology while i am doing my bachelors.

I don't know if "legally" you have to take it but I would recommend taking it at the college level (even though AP is supposed to be the same)

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Also, when I am done with medical school and begin to specialize in anesthesia and It's to hard for me so I drop out. Am i still a doctor.

Yes you are but you can't do much with that since you don't know enough about anything to practice (so you are a doctor by title only).

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Also were do you do residency?

I did mine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center

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If it's at a university which one is the best anesthesia univesity.

There is no BEST anesthesia residency, they are all good (if they are accredited) or they are not.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My last question. How much would I make (average/estimate)after I am done with my residency/graduated? How much did you begin to make when you graduated? Can you name a few universities that offer anesthesia training/residency? Also can you give me a brief summary of what is a job of a anesthesiologist and what he does?

Answer
How much would I make (average/estimate)after I am done with my residency/graduated?

I don't know what salaries will be 12 years from now but I will tell you what is current and you can extrapolate. Starting salaries nowadays range from $100,000 to over $300,000.

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How much did you begin to make when you graduated?

It is not appropriate for me to tell you what salary I made or make.

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Can you name a few universities that offer anesthesia training/residency?

None. Anesthesia training is post medical school at a hospital or a hospital associated with a medical school.

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Also can you give me a brief summary of what is a job of a anesthesiologist and what he does?

We provide anesthesia services (general, regional and sedation) throughout a hospital. We also provide emergency airway management throughout the hospital. You can also get involved in pain management or critical care management.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston