Welcome to our Department of Anesthesiology

We are building something purposeful here—a department designed not only to meet today’s needs, but to shape the future of anesthesiology across Louisiana and the nation. Positioned in the Ark-La-Tex region, we serve a broad and diverse population, including rural and underserved communities where access to high-quality perioperative care is essential. This responsibility drives our vision: to become a national leader in rural anesthesiology, workforce development, and innovative education.

Our clinical mission is grounded in excellence.

As part of a high-acuity academic medical center, we care for complex patients across multiple sites while maintaining a focus on safety, efficiency, and outcomes. Just as importantly, we are committed to extending that level of care beyond tertiary centers—preparing physicians who are equipped to lead, adapt, and deliver high-quality anesthesia services in resource-variable and rural environments.

Education is where our vision takes shape.

We are redefining training to go beyond technical expertise—developing anesthesiologists who are clinically outstanding, operationally savvy, and leadership-ready. Through expanded use of high-fidelity simulation, structured board preparation, and hands-on clinical immersion, we are creating a training environment that mirrors the complexity of modern practice. Our integration of leadership and business education further ensures that our graduates are prepared not only to participate in healthcare systems—but to improve them.

We are equally focused on building the future workforce.

In a time of national anesthesiology shortages, we see an opportunity—and a responsibility—to train, recruit, and retain talent in regions where it is needed most. Our department is actively investing in pathways that support long-term workforce sustainability, particularly in underserved areas.

Innovation and scholarship are central to our growth.

We are expanding opportunities in perioperative medicine, critical care, regional anesthesia, and health systems improvement, with a focus on work that translates directly into better care delivery. Our goal is not simply to produce research, but to generate meaningful, practice-changing insight.

Just as critical is our commitment to physician well-being.

Louisiana has recently been recognized among the top states nationally for physicians—high salaries, low cost of living, and optimal work conditions; a distinction we are proud to contribute to and sustain. We believe that a high-performing department must also be a healthy and supportive environment, where physicians, trainees, and staff can thrive professionally and personally. Our culture emphasizes respect, teamwork, and sustainability in practice.

We are building a department that is clinically strong, educationally innovative, and mission-driven—one that prepares physicians to lead in any setting, and especially where they are needed most.

I invite you to explore our programs, meet our team, and join us in advancing anesthesiology through service, leadership, and discovery.
Wendy K. Bernstein, MD, MBA, FASA, FAMWA
Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology