Our Program
The program will be participating in the ERAS as an ACGME-accredited program. Both osteopathic and allopathic residents are welcome to apply to the residency program.
Application Process
Riverside University Health System participates with ERAS and the NRMP Match. Please register with them if you wish to be matched with our program. Our NRMP program code is 1850040C0. Both osteopathic and allopathic residents are welcome to apply to the residency program. The residency program consists of a Clinical Base Year (12 months) and 36 months of Clinical Anesthesiology training. Eligible applicants will be considered on the basis of residency program-related criteria such as their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. Programs will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected status.
All application material must be submitted through ERAS. Applicants with suitable qualifications will be invited to interview and visit with the department. The program recruits 10 PGY-1 (categorical) positions each year through the NRMP Match process. Any potential increase to the compliment will be communicated to applicants.
To request a rotation with our anesthesia department, please submit your application through Clinician Nexus.
Application Requirements
It is strongly recommended you submit your application by October 1, 2024. Applicants are invited to check the status of their application by emailing through MyERAS. All correspondence regarding applications should be conducted through MyERAS to avoid delays.
- Minimum application documentation: Prior to being placed on a rank list, applicants must have submitted the following documentation:
- Application/Curriculum Vita
- Medical School Transcript
- Dean’s Letter or Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
- Three letters of reference from physicians
- Photograph taken within the last six months
- COMLEX or USMLE transcripts, as applicable
- Personal Statement
- If any required documents are in a language other than English, then a translation of the document(s) must be provided
- Graduates of medical schools outside the United States must also provide the following:
- Current ECFMG Certificate
- Current California Post-doctoral Training Approval Letter or California Medical License
Our Benefits
Health, Dental, and Vision
Up to $823 per month (as of 2022) for medical and dental insurance. Vision insurance for residents is paid for by the county.
Disability Insurance
Long-term and short-term disability insurance for residents.
Life Insurance
Life insurance coverage for residents.
Worker's Compensation
Worker’s Compensation Insurance provided for residents.
Vacation and Academic Days
Fifteen days of paid vacation per academic year and five days of paid conference time, as well as holiday pay for all county holidays.
Counseling Services
Counseling services are available through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for residents.
Lab coats and Scrubs
Lab coats and scrub suits are provided at no cost for residents.
Meal Vouchers
Meals at no cost are provided to the resident in the RUHS cafeteria while on 24-hour call with a limit of $5 per meal.
Housing
Housing for off-site rotations at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) for residents.
CME Funding
Up to $1500 annually for books, licensing, and educational materials.
Free Parking
Parking is free for residents.
Medical Student Involvement
Work directly with local (LLU-SOM, CSUSM-SOM, UCR-SOM, WesternU-COMP) as well visiting medical students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many positions does your program offer?
We currently offer 7 categorial positions.
Is there a minimum COMLEX/USMLE score for your program?
We strongly recommend all applicants to submit both USMLE Step 1 Pass score AND their USMLE Step 2 score before application submission.
What match are you participating in?
Our program is participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) only.
Is a rotation required in order to be considered to be invited for an interview?
No. We highly recommend that students schedule a rotation if possible, but it is not a requirement. To request a rotation in our program, please visit http://www.cliniciannexus.com/ to complete the rotation request form.
When does your program start?
Intern year officially starts on July 1st of each year, but in-person orientation begins approximately two weeks earlier, and there are several other requirements (HR for badge/parking, Occupational Health for a physical) that will occur on campus.
I graduated a few years ago. Is there a maximum number of years out of school allowed for applicants?
To be considered a competitive applicant at our program we recommend applicants be out of medical school less than 5 years and have prior clinical experience within the United States healthcare system. Unused or unpracticed, clinical skills tend to decline over time.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply for your program? Do you offer J-1 or H-1 visas?
Yes, in order to be eligible for our residency program, you need to be either a United States citizen or a permanent resident. We do not offer J-1 or H-1 visas at this time.
Do you offer observerships or can I come for an informal visit?
We do not offer observerships at this time. In the interest of fairness, we will not offer informal visits or interviews prior to our formal interviews. All complete applications will be reviewed after the application deadline. If you have been granted an interview, you will be notified after that date.
If I am a foreign medical graduate, what documents do I need in order to apply for your program?
In addition to the documents required for ERAS, all California residency programs require two additional documents from foreign medical graduates: 1) the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) status report and 2) the Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL).
Please note that the Medical Board of California will require several months to issue the Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter, so please apply well in advance. You may be granted an interview at our program before you have received your Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL); however, we need to receive your PTAL before January 15th in order to rank you for the Match.
Chief Resident's Letter
On behalf of the Chief Residents, I’d like to welcome you to the Riverside University Health System Anesthesiology Residency Program. We are excited that you have considered our program to provide you with your training in this evolving and dynamic field of medicine.
RUHS is located in Moreno Valley, CA in the County of Riverside which is located about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Beautiful Southern California sunny skies await your arrival and your time with us. RUHS is an ACOS Level 1 Trauma Center that serves the county of Riverside and surrounding areas. You can expect to receive training in intense although educationally filled cases during your training here. Our time is divided between 4 hospitals with most of your time at RUHS. During your CA-2 year, you will experience your cardiac anesthesiology, acute and chronic pain management, and intensive care unit education at world-renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You will also do your pediatric anesthesia rotation at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Lastly, during your CA-3 year, you will spend time at Loma Linda University further strengthening your pediatric anesthesia knowledge and skills. The exposure to the different pathologies and populations provide some of the most complex and challenging cases, offering invaluable educational opportunities that will prepare you well for your future career.
We are a smaller program (10 residents per class) which means you get more one-on-one time with attendings as well as more difficult cases early in your residency that are challenging yet educational. These include a wide variety of thoracics, trauma, vascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, gynecology/oncology, and obstetrics. By the end of your time with us, you will feel well-prepared and confident in your clinical skills, medical knowledge, leadership, efficiency and workflow. Our residency places great emphasis on education, which includes daily resident lectures, monthly journal club, weekly grand rounds led by the Anesthesia faculty, and simulations at our sim lab and ORs. This is evidenced by the residents’ outstanding in-training exam scores. We also encourage and support research initiatives and presentations at national conferences and our own yearly RUHS research symposium.
About half of each graduating class decide to pursue fellowships and have matched at world renowned institutions such as Cedars Sinai, Harvard, USC, OHSU, Baylor, Stanford, UCI, Dartmouth, Penn State and others. Whether you choose fellowship, private practice, or academia, you will be supported by the dedicated faculty and program leadership.
As a member of our smaller program, you’ll experience a close-knit, family-like atmosphere. Expect invitations to birthday parties, after work hangouts, weddings, and other fun activities with your fellow anesthesia residents and colleagues from various specialties. Southern California has its benefits as there are a diverse range of activities for everyone within driving distance. Beaches, mountains, theme parks, hiking trails, casinos, nightlife are all within an hour drive from Riverside, CA.
Once again, we are thrilled that you have considered our program for your training and look forward to meeting you. Please visit our residency website for more information about our program.
John Bouz, DO, Kenneth Nguyen, DO, and Jeffrey Thomas, DO
Chief Residents 2024-2025
