Department of Anesthesiology

Chair's Message

The essence of an “Academic Anesthesiology Department” is the presence of a stimulating environment.  This is accomplished by faculty who encourages open questioning, free discussion and are willing to challenge the accepted.  The Department of Anesthesiology of West Virginia University School of Medicine values these qualities.

Our faculty have trained in some of the finest institutions in the United States.  They are all committed to creating the safe, questioning environment necessary for allowing residents and students to be challenged and learn. Many of the faculty have completed specialty fellowships or have devoted extra study to subspecialties of anesthesiology. This allows them to guide the residents to deeper levels of understanding of complex principles and to provide high quality care for our patients.

I believe that it is vital to have an experienced, knowledgeable physician as Residency Program Director. This individual needs to not only have an understanding of current educational principles but also have the ability to communicate and implement these principles. I am proud to have as our program director Richard Driver, MD. Doctor Driver is an accomplished academic anesthesiologist who prior to becoming a physician was a high school teacher.  Our educational programs benefit from his expertise and devotion to education.

In 1997, our department was one of the first in the United States to acquire a METI Human Patient Simulator (HPS). This early acquisition, one of the first 50 manufactured, indicates our pursuit and acceptance of innovation leading to excellence.  We still utilize the HPS which is located in a simulation laboratory within the hospital.  At the current time, in my role as Assistant Dean for Technology in Medical Education, I am involved in the development of a Health Science Center wide medical simulation program which will serve all students within our system. This center will provide a greatly enlarged facility to provide comprehensive simulation experiences.

Our faculty provide care for patients admitted to the Ruby Memorial Hospital.  Ruby is a tertiary referral center and a level 1 trauma center serving West Virginia and the surrounding states.  This challenging patient population provides our residents with the experiences needed to become qualified anesthesiologists.

We value a balanced lifestyle.  Morgantown is located in the Appalachian Mountains of northern West Virginia.  As a large “University Town” it offers a variety of cultural and athletic amenities.  Many of our faculty and residents enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, hunting, camping and world class kayaking. 

David Wilks, MD