Dear Prospective Applicants,

Thank you for considering us as you navigate this exciting and nerve-wracking time of applying to residency. We have been in your shoes; reviewing program websites detailing didactic schedules, fellowship prospects, and case indices hoping to get an impression of the program, or come up with intelligent interview questions. You’ll find all of that and more on this website, but we hope this letter may give you a few more salient reasons as to why we love training here.

As Chief Residents of the anesthesia residency program at Oregon Health & Science University, we truly feel our program is special, and an ideal place to train. What sets us apart is the depth and breadth of our clinical experience, our people, and the beautiful city we are fortunate to call home.

From day one, our residents are immersed in a diverse and high-acuity clinical environment. As the state’s only academic medical center and a major referral hub for the Pacific Northwest, OHSU offers exposure to complex tertiary and quaternary care cases that many residents elsewhere may only read about. We care for patients undergoing advanced cardiac surgery, liver and kidney transplantation, complex neurosurgical procedures, high-risk obstetric procedures, major vascular surgery, trauma, cutting-edge interventional radiology procedures, pain and regional procedures, and take care of patients in our multiple ICUs. At the same time, our program builds strong foundational skills in bread-and-butter anesthesia across a wide range of subspecialties through frequent experiences at our ambulatory surgery center on the Portland waterfront. By graduation, we are confident that our residents can manage everything from routine ambulatory cases to the most medically complex patients.

Another one of our strengths is our faculty, who are not only leaders in their subspecialties but also deeply invested educators. Our attendings prioritize graduated autonomy, ensuring that as residents progress, we are trusted with increasing responsibility while always feeling supported. The culture here is one of approachability and collaboration. Questions are welcomed, curiosity is encouraged, and feedback is thoughtful and constructive. Our faculty genuinely care about residents, and our academic coaching program ensures close mentorship throughout all four years of training.

Equally important is the camaraderie within our residency. We are a close-knit group who genuinely enjoy working together and spending time together. Whether it’s planning ski trips, hosting potlucks, playing intramural sports, or celebrating our milestones, we support each other both professionally and personally. We come from diverse backgrounds; some coming into residency with families, others as a second career with varied and fascinating experiences, but all finding so much common ground while training together. Residency is demanding no matter where you choose to train, but it is far more fulfilling when you are surrounded by colleagues who become lifelong friends. We have been lucky enough to find that at OHSU.

Life outside the hospital is another huge reason we love training here. Living in Portland offers an incredible balance of urban living and access to nature. On any given weekend, you might find residents hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, skiing or snowboarding on Mount Hood or Mount Bachelor, exploring the trails of Forest Park, or paddle boarding on the Willamette River. Others may be enjoying Portland’s unmatched food scene, wine tasting through the Willamette Valley, going to concerts at one of the many local venues, or attending professional sporting events (Thorns, Timbers, Blazers, Fire, and Pickles). The city’s creative energy, vibrant neighborhoods, and strong sense of community make it an inspiring place to live, and a great place to raise a family.

Ultimately, what we love most about our residency is the balance: rigorous clinical training in a supportive culture and academic excellence grounded in humility, all set within a city that nurtures joy and adventure. The structure of our program ensures we will finish training not only as skilled anesthesiologists, but as thoughtful physicians, educators, and leaders in our field. The people at our program ensure that we will have close friends, colleagues, and mentors to rely on long after we graduate.

We are proud of the training we receive at OHSU and grateful for the community that makes it possible. We hope you will consider joining us and experiencing firsthand what makes this program so special.

Warmly,

Lainey Prendiville, Chris Laube, and Arya Parhar

The Chief Residents 2026 - 2027
Oregon Health & Science University