Hospital imageWorking for the VA Puget Sound Health Care System

"I have found the VA a delightful place to work. The patients are very grateful for our care, and staff and resident interactions have been excellent. We are fortunate in that the administration of the operating room is under the direction of the Department of Anesthesiology, giving us a major role in running an efficient, safe, and successful facility." -- Dr. Bishop, Chief of Anesthesiology Service

Introduction by the Chief of Service at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System

The patient population of this 291-bed hospital is distinctive and challenging, and including many patients with advanced pulmonary, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Residents receive an intense exposure to critical care anesthesiology for the geriatric patient, with emphasis upon invasive as well as non-invasive monitoring. A wide range of surgical procedures is performed, including cardiac surgery.

The Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System is a two-division health care system providing comprehensive medical care to the veterans of Washington state; a substantial number of referrals for tertiary care come from Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. At present, residents rotate through the Seattle division, although the Department also provides service at an attending level for an ambulatory surgery facility at the American Lake division in Tacoma.

The VA experience provides the resident with exposure to the care of a high-risk, high-intensity patient population, with a heavy emphasis on cardiovascular surgery. The cardiac surgical load is approximately 200 cases per year, including many complicated patients with problems far beyond the routine. Peripheral vascular surgery cases are performed nearly every day, again providing an opportunity to take care of complex patients.

The VA pain service is currently staffed by attendings and fellows, and includes patients with both acute and chronic pain problems. Attending staff at the VA all have advanced training beyond residency. Specialty interests include pain, cardiac, pharmacology, respiratory, and critical care medicine, and critical event simulation.

Image of Dr. Lang

John Lang, M.D.
Associate Professor, University of Washington
Chief of Service, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System
Email: jdlang@u.washington.edu

Location of the VA relative to the UW
VA Puget Sound Health Care System web site

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