Stony Brook University Department of Anesthesiology

Residency Program

Division of Pediatric Anesthesia



W. Walter Backus, MD
Chief of Pediatric Anesthesia
 We have a great team of pediatric anesthesiologists. They handle very challenging cases and are supportive in their efforts in pediatric anesthesia. Our department works closely with residents from other departments with positive results. We have a strong relationship with the Department of Pediatrics and some of our own residents rotate in PICU and NICU. We interact with medical students from our medical school and other medical schools through the selective/elective program and the medical school curriculum.

  The Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology is comprised of five members of the attending staff:

  As a CA-1, the anesthesia residents will be introduced to the subspecialty of pediatric anesthesia cases. Generally, a CA-1 will begin with the older pediatric patients but the cases could be as challenging as spinal instrumentation surgery.

  The CA-2 resident will build on their prior exposure to pediatric cases during their CA-1 year. They will experience the complexities of cases for the various subspecialties (neonatal, cardiac, orthopedic, neurologic/craniofacial, otolaryngologic, ophthalmologic, urologic and general pediatric).  We are involved in some 4,000 cases yearly.  Our “ANESRAD” Program (MRI/CT/Nuclear and Sono) has essentially doubled to 600 patients.  This program and our “ANESGASTRO” Program generate exposure to office based services, although within the main hospital environment. 

  The CA-3 resident can choose to take a three or six month pediatric rotation. This gives the candidates adequate exposure to pediatric anesthesia and all its ramifications. Our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has a capacity of 50 beds.  We continue to provide care for the section of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia spearheaded by Ronald Jasiewicz, D.O.  The residents seem to get a particular charge preparing for the correction or palliation surgery of lesions such as:  PDA, TOF, TGV and TAPVD.

  Some of the goals of the pediatric anesthesia rotations are to give the residents that “degree of comfort” they would like to have in their future practices. The residents will be encouraged to participate in the research activities in process. If desired, another rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit beyond the routine assignment or one in the pediatric intensive care unit can be arranged. Residents may decide to undertake a Fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesiology.  The residents are exposed to pediatric patients from 470 grams up to several multiples as bariatric surgery has entered the teenage arena.  Since we have an active NICU Unit, we look forward to continued growth from 300 cases less than 6 months of age and 700 cases less than 24 months. 

  All residents will work closely with the faculty. They always have access to the departmental library and the medical school library. The departmental Pediatric Guidelines in Anesthesiology is divided into sections that range from general pediatrics to cardiac anesthesia. There is the opportunity to obtain PALS & NALS certification. Some of our Chief Residents have become instructors in PALS.

   In the Division of Pediatric Anesthesia we have 90 plus years of experience in general and regional anesthesia. We are hopeful for the opportunity to be able to share our knowledge through teaching and practical experience.

   I have been with the Department of Anesthesiology since 1984 and beyond the satisfaction of a full clinical and teaching career; I have had many rewarding experiences.

  One of the most rewarding of my endeavors has been to participate in the medical missions to help the children in underdeveloped areas by repairing cleft lips and palates. Last year, I was in Honduras, which was my fifth mission (twice to the Philippines and Guatemala). I have been accompanied several times by one of our interested residents. The Chairman and the department have always been supportive of this effort.

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