HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to establish a new anesthesiology residency program in Huntington. 

The four-year program was approved for a full complement of 16 resident physicians who will rotate among Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center. The program will provide comprehensive clinical training in all aspects of anesthesiology, including perioperative medicine, critical care, airway management, pain control and operating room management. The residency is designed to prepare graduates for board certification and successful careers in academic or community-based anesthesiology practices. 

“Anesthesiology is an exciting addition to our graduate medical education offerings,” said Jay A. Shepherd, M.D., associate professor and chair of anesthesiology at the Joan E. Edwards School of Medicine. “We are committed to training the next generation of anesthesiologists through a rigorous, patient-centered curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning, interprofessional collaboration and innovation in perioperative care.” 

“The new residency program strengthens Marshall University’s role in academic medicine and enhances its ability to serve the needs of patients across West Virginia and the surrounding region,” said Paulette S. Wehner, M.D., vice dean for education and designated institutional official at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “With a growing demand for anesthesiologists nationwide, the program also plays a vital role in building a stronger healthcare workforce for the future and will thrive under the leadership of Program Director Dr. Brian Ferguson.” 

Residents will benefit from diverse clinical experiences across multiple surgical specialties and hospital settings, access to state-of-the-art simulation training and opportunities for research and academic development. The program will participate in the upcoming National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) process, with applications accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and interviews beginning in fall 2025. The first cohort of four residents will begin July 1, 2026. 

For more information about the anesthesiology residency program at Marshall University, contact Dema Shanti, program coordinator at shanti@marshall.edu.  

Date Posted: Thursday, September 18, 2025