Robina Matyal, MD
Vice Chair, Anesthesia Graduate Medical Education
Welcome to the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine General Medical Education.
We're thrilled you're interested in learning more about our outstanding education programs and the dynamic, talented educators and trainees who make up our department.
We are proud to offer world-class residency and fellowship programs that attract top applicants from the U.S. and around the globe. Our training spans the full spectrum of anesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine, preparing clinicians to meet both current and future demands in a rapidly evolving field.
Our mission is to develop future leaders in anesthesiology and critical care through rigorous clinical training, expert and supportive mentorship, and access to nationally recognized faculty in patient care, research, and medical education. Innovation is central to everything we do—from our curriculum design to our approach to clinical care—ensuring our trainees are not only well-prepared for today’s challenges but also equipped to shape the future of the field. Each of our programs is thoughtfully designed to support successful careers in academic medicine, and many of our graduates have gone on to become leaders in their specialties.
We are deeply committed to both the professional and personal well-being of our trainees. Our individualized training approach supports each learner's unique goals and interests. Our robust wellness program fosters camaraderie, teamwork, and a strong sense of community across the department.
Our programs are based at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospital in Boston. As part of one of the country's most respected academic anesthesia departments, our trainees benefit from exposure to a wide range of clinical cases—from routine procedures to the most advanced and complex surgeries—ensuring comprehensive preparation for any clinical setting.
In addition to clinical excellence, we offer opportunities to participate in innovative research and contribute to medical education, supported by our dedicated faculty mentors. Our learners are encouraged to pursue individualized projects that align with their interests and career aspirations.
Among our department’s many strengths, our culture is especially valued by trainees and faculty alike. BIDMC is known for its people-centered, collaborative environment that combines academic rigor with an inclusive, supportive atmosphere—often described as having a "hometown family feel." This culture, together with our commitment to excellence in training, makes BIDMC a truly exceptional place to learn, grow, and lead.
We invite you to explore the many educational opportunities our department offers. Whether your interests lie in clinical care, research, teaching—or all three—you will find a welcoming and forward-thinking environment committed to ensuring that every trainee receives the best possible preparation for a successful and fulfilling career.
We develops leaders in our profession through excellent clinical experience, strong mentorship, innovative teaching programs and a flexible program of unique offerings which can be tailored to meet each learner’s needs.
The Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine offers fellowships in Adult Structural Heart Anesthesia, Neuroanesthesia, Perioperative Medicine, Regional Anesthesia, Obstetric Anesthesia, Critical Care, Pain Medicine, Perioperative Ultrasound, and Medical Education.
Harvard Medical Students in the third and fourth years rotate through the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, where faculty, residents and fellows take pride in educating students about the scope of our field.
Global Health
Our Global Health Program's “training of trainers” approach emphasizes preparing clinicians and educators in lower-resource countries to teach their colleagues new techniques and strategies in perioperative and critical care medicine that will improve access to care and health outcomes.