Shivana Ramsingh, MBBS

I’m originally from Cunupia, Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, but I lived in Florida, Kansas and Texas in the United States. I received a full scholarship for my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies, where I completed my Bachelor in Medical Sciences and my medical degree (MBBS Hons).

Afterward, I worked as a house officer in anesthesia and critical care in Trinidad for a few years before matching into the anesthesiology residency program at the University at Buffalo — a dream come true for me! PGY-1 has been great so far. I have made new friends and learned so much about Buffalo and the wonderful patients.

I chose the University at Buffalo because of its strong reputation for hands-on clinical training, high-acuity case exposure, cutting-edge research and supportive learning environment.

During my interactions with the program, I was struck by how approachable the residents and faculty were and their investment in resident growth. The incoming chiefs have already made a meaningful impact this year with the inauguration  of the PGY-1 lecture series to prepare us for the ITE, and the many wellness events.

UB truly offers a great balance of academic rigor and real-world autonomy, which was important to me as I transition into independent practice.

What stands out most is the breadth of clinical exposure across multiple hospital systems, early responsibility with strong supervision, as well as a culture that values teaching, wellness and teamwork in a supportive learning environment — and the faculty, who are genuinely enthusiastic about teaching.

So far, I’ve really enjoyed living in Buffalo. It’s affordable, easy to navigate, low traffic, and surprisingly vibrant, with great food, sports culture and access to nature.

The slower pace compared to larger cities has actually been refreshing during intern year, and the sense of community here makes it easy to feel settled and supported.

As a Caribbean girl, I must say that I absolutely love the winter weather (so far)!

One faculty member I consider a great mentor is Francois Fadell, MD, MBA, who I had the opportunity to work with during my pulmonology elective and ICU rotation at the VA.

What stands out most is his exceptional clarity, organization and time management. Each day begins with a clear plan and structured goals, which creates an efficient, supportive learning environment. He breaks down complex topics into simple, digestible concepts, often using intuitive flow diagrams, and presents information in a way that is incredibly high-yield. His teaching has substantially increased my confidence in managing patients and complex clinical scenarios.