Mission, Vision, and History
Mission, Vision, and History
Dr. Willock was a pioneer in simulation education, having initiated CPR and ACLS training at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and at the PGA Assembly in New York. At BU, she continued her simulation work and fostered the anesthesia faculty teaching in basic sciences. An active participant in hospital affairs, Dr. Willock co- chaired the OR Design subcommittee for the new University Hospital that opened in 1987. She was also an active participant in the Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, becoming President of the MSA and a Director and Assistant Secretary of the ASA. Under Dr. Willock, the Department of Anesthesiology began its long tradition of presenting high-quality exhibits at national meetings including the ASA, PGA, and IARS national meetings. These exhibits have earned the Department numerous awards, including the 1st prize for best scientific exhibit three years consecutively at the ASA Annual Meeting. The ACGME anesthesiology residency was based at the University Hospital with an affiliation at BCH for obstetric anesthesia and trauma, and at Rhode Island Hospital for pediatric rotations, and at Framingham Union Hospital.
The City of Boston was reluctant to give up its unaccredited dental program despite the serious problems it posed for the ACGME accredited program. Finally in 1992, new Commissioner of Health Judith Kurkand agreed to the reunification of the two anesthesia departments, dissolution of the dental program and an integrated residency under Dr. Willock’s leadership. Dr. Willock served as Chair until 1998 when she was appointed Assistant Provost for Community Affairs at Boston University School of Medicine. She was succeeded by Keith Lewis, RPh, MD , a graduate of University of Connecticut School of Medicine and University of Rhode Island School of Pharmacy who did his residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It was during Dr. Lewis’ tenure that the Department was administered by Anesthesia Associates of Massachusetts, which was the largest anesthesia provider in New England at the time. This academic/ private practice group had been founded by Ellison Pierce, MD, the notable anesthesiologist and President of the ASA who spearheaded the creation of the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Under the visionary two decades of leadership from Dr. Lewis, an efficient operating room management approach was cultivated which resulted in a
greatly improved and streamlined perioperative process. Boston Medical Center’s achievements in innovative OR management were praised by the Wall Street Journal in August 2005, lending credence to Dr. Lewis’ accomplishments as Chair of our Department. In July 2019, Boston Medical Center opted to transform the Department of Anesthesiology into more academically focused branch and totally integrated into its faculty practice plan. Rafael Ortega, MD , a graduate of the UNPHU in Santo Domingo who did his residency and fellowship at this institution from 1982-1985, was appointed Chair. With antiquated buildings no longer able to support the current sophistication of care, a new Boston City Hospital was built in 1994 concentrating all in patients in one building. The other buildings were primarily used for outpatients and support services. All vestiges of the earlier Boston City Hospital Department of Anesthesiology were completely eradicated with the creation of Boston Medical Center which resulted from the fusion of the University Hospital and Boston City Hospital in 1996.
This merger, one of the most successful integrations of any two hospitals in the United States, resulted in a sprawling medical center occupying several city blocks in Boston’s historic South End. Boston Medical Center retains the traditions of the originating hospitals, including commitment to education, dedication to outstanding research, and relentless devotion to quality health care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Further modernization and consolidation occurred with more new installations and the closure of what had been University Hospital. Boston Medical Center is the main teaching hospital for Boston University, and it is contiguous with the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Public Health, and numerous research buildings. Collectively, this expansive urban health care complex is known as Boston University Medical Campus. Today, Boston Medical Center is an approximately 500-bed academic medical center and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. It is a nationally recognized Level 1 trauma center.
DR. LEWIS BEGINS TWO DECADES OF LEADERSHIP AS CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT
1998
2019
DR. ORTEGA IS APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT
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