Where Are They Now?
The Department of Anesthesiology has always had such wonderful people who have contributed to make it what it is today. We would like to know what some of our colleagues and friends who have moved on are doing now and how UMMC played a role in their careers and lives. If would like to be featured in future articles of the newsletter, please e-mail Sara Robertson at smbrobertson@umc.edu. We would love to hear from you!
Matthew Blanchard, M.D.
Residency Class of 2021
Pain Management Fellowship Class of 2022
Tell us about what you have been doing since you graduated from the residency program. What does your anesthesia practice look like? How did UMMC prepare you for your current career?
Since graduation I first began working at a private practice pain management group in Central Texas. I worked there for two years and then began my current job with an Orthopedic group on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The valuable experience I gained at UMMC definitely prepared me for private practice. I attribute this to both the complexity and the volume of cases during my time at UMMC.
What did you enjoy most about being a resident in this program?
Looking back, I think what I enjoyed most and what I miss most are the people at UMMC. From the attendings to my co-residents/fellows to Anesthesia Techs and clinic staff they all made it an enjoyable experience.
If you could give any advice to our current trainees, what would it be?
While it may not currently feel like it, your time in residency will be over before you know it. Take every opportunity during this short time to learn from the great attending staff at UMMC.
Mike Onion, M.D.
Residency Class of 2022
Tell us about what you have been doing since you graduated from the residency program. What does your anesthesia practice look like? How did UMMC prepare you for your current career?
After graduating in 2022, I began my career in Southern Ohio, where I was quickly appointed Co-Section Chief of Anesthesia. This was a great introduction to the administrative side of medicine early in my career. My clinical focus there was primarily outpatient-based, often doing general ortho and pediatric ENT cases. I would also rotate to the main hospital for a mix of GYN, general surgery, cardiac, urology and OB.
Two years later, I had the opportunity to return home to Lubbock, Texas, joining Grace Surgical Hospital. My current practice is centered on total joints, GYN, general surgery, ortho spine, GI, and pain procedures. I’m fortunate to work with two experienced anesthesiologists who have been able to mentor me. I also get a great balance between solo cases and supervision, which—combined with a diverse case mix and being back home—offers a fantastic work-life balance.
UMMC’s training was truly the best. Managing 'the sickest of the sick' across all specialties prepared me for anything. Transitioning to a healthier patient population has been seamless because UMMC taught me how to handle the most complex scenarios. It turns out that airways, spinals, and regional blocks are much more straightforward when you don't have a patient with a BMI of 60+!
What did you enjoy most about being a resident in this program?
Without a doubt, the camaraderie. My classmates were the center of my residency experience. Residency is a true emotional roller coaster, and having a tight-knit group to laugh and cry with made all the difference. We weren't just friends; we were a support system—constantly sharing study materials, hanging out together, and celebrating each other’s achievements or milestones. That family type of experience is what I cherish most.
If you could give any advice to our current trainees, what would it be?
Early in my CA1 year, Dr. Jeremy Rainey told me: 'Try to learn from everybody—not just the attendings, but your co-residents, techs, and surgeons. They all have something to teach you.' That definitely stuck with me. My advice is to remain a student every single day. It is easy to become complacent as you gain seniority, but if you treat every case—even the seemingly routine ones—as an opportunity to refine a skill or even learn what not to do, you will be amazed at your growth. Stay humble and take every opportunity that comes your way.