On Saturday, January 24, 15 University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology residents along with their friends and families gathered in the Harrell Medical Education Building to explore the daily life of anesthesiologists. Tim Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, associate chair for education, chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, and professor of anesthesiology, opened the day with an introductory speech and a “day in the life” video. He also highlighted critical issues for resident wellbeing such as fatigue, sleep, and work/life balance, and outlined the UF resources designed to support those needs.
Residents and their guests then participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session with a resident and their spouse. Attendees then split into small groups for hands‑on simulations that covered operating‑room scenarios, airway management, and central venous access. These activities allowed the families to experience firsthand the challenges and precision required in anesthesia practice.
Trevor Morrison, M.D., a CA-2 resident, brought his parents to the event. “It’s one thing to tell them about my day, like, oh I had a difficult airway or missed an IV, but being able to show them what it is actually like being in the hospital is kind of fun,” he said. “And it’s cool getting to show them how hard I’ve worked for so long and now it’s paying off and they can see me where I’m at now.”
Trevor’s mom, Catherine, also appreciated the educational opportunity and the chance to see her son in action. “It’s neat seeing what Trevor has to go through and experience and get a better understanding of what he’s gone through year after year,” she said. “Seeing not just the training, but the exhaustion and the home-life balance versus everything that goes on in the hospital and taking care of patients and the education of it all. There’s lots of aspects to it.”
The UF Department of Anesthesiology’s Family Anesthesia Experience started out as a multisite institutional review board study spearheaded by the University of North Carolina in 2021. A February 2025 paper co‑authored by Martin, titled “The Family Anesthesia Experience (FAX): Implementing a Social Support–Focused Wellness Programme Across Multiple Residency Programme,” was published in The Clinical Teacher. The study found that family‑oriented education events improve support‑persons’ understanding of residency demands, enhance communication between residents and their loved ones, and reduce interpersonal stress and burnout perceptions.
Recognizing the program’s impact, the UF Department of Anesthesiology plans to hold these events annually, continuing to strengthen the support network for residents and their families while promoting a healthier, more balanced residency experience.
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