Nationwide anesthesiologist shortage hits Delmarva

SALISBURY, Md. – Nationwide, health officials are sounding the alarm about an anesthesiologist shortage, and it is no different here on the Eastern Shore.

Tidalhealth officials call it an ongoing problem, that has only worsened with COVID-19 pandemic burnout.

Simona Eng with TidalHealth says they’re combating the shortage with a graduate medical education program, and starting a new anesthesiologist residency so that the organization can build their own pipeline of anesthesiologists.

“There are more and more procedures being done, particularly as the population ages and so there is just not enough anesthesiologist at this point in time and so for us the focus is taking care of our community and in order to do that, starting an anesthesiology program was the way to go for us,” said Eng.

The Anesthesiology residency is a four year program students will get training on site at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.