ABPS Diplomate Marcos Rosado, MD, Explains What It’s Like to Specialize in Anesthesiology

Marcus Rosado, MDDuring a surgical internship after finishing medical school, I became curious about the guys “behind the drape” who were able to render the patient oblivious to pain and in a deep state of sleep. As part of my internship, I did a surgical rotation in the intensive care unit, where I had the opportunity to work with anesthesia residents who appreciated my hard work and dedication.

Midway through the internship, a position opened in the anesthesia department, and those residents immediately recommended me for the position. My wife was in labor the day when the anesthesia chief resident came to tell me about the position. He took me to meet the chair of anesthesia, and after a discussion with his staff, they offered me the anesthesia resident position. Later that day, my wife gave birth to our firstborn and I became a father and a future anesthesiologist. It was the best day of my life.

Anesthesiology is a good fit for me because it allows me the opportunity to care for patients of all ages, genders, and racial backgrounds, and get them through surgery in a comfortable and safe way. Every day I get the chance to listen to a diverse group of patients and alleviate their fears and pain.

What I enjoy most about practicing anesthesiology is the challenge of caring for patients with many different diseases presenting for a wide range of surgical procedures. Seeing patients’ happy faces after successful surgeries, comforting them during complications, and just spending time with them during a stressful part of their life—all of that makes my day every day.

As an anesthesiologist, my main challenge is dealing with patients with significant comorbidities and then customizing the safest and most effective anesthetic that will enhance their recovery as quickly as possible.

I remember in particular a patient who always became nauseated and vomited after anesthesia. I explained to her during her preoperative visit that by using a newer anesthetic agent with fewer side effects, we could do a regional block for her surgery. I don’t think she believed me much but agreed to proceed anyway. We performed an ultrasound-guided block with mild sedation, and she underwent surgery without complications. She did not get sick in the post-anesthesia recovery and was discharged home in satisfactory condition. She recovered well from surgery, and to this day, she has been thankful for our care.

If I could offer some advice to an anesthesiologist in training, I would say: Be compassionate, listen to your patients, answer all their questions and concerns, alleviate all their fears—and choose the safest anesthetic possible.

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June 10-15, 2022
Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine