Did you know? Did you know that significant contributions to the early development of anesthesiology occurred right here in Rochester, New York? In 1995, as Drs. Pratima Shah and David Lai were researching the history of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Rochester they came across several articles related to the fact that the first use of ether as an anesthetic actually occurred in Rochester by a young chemistry student named William E. Clarke. Click below to find out more:

Excerpt from "The History of Surgical Anesthesia" by Thomas Keys

Excerpt from "History of Medicine and Surgery in Chicago" Chicago Biographical Publishing, 1922

“Another Medical ‘First’ for Rochester?" Democrat and Chronicle, January 20, 1965

Letter from Christopher Hooligan, History of Medicine Librarian, Edward G. Miner Library, University of Rochester Medical Center

The specialty of anesthesiology at Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester Medical Center has a long history of excellence. From the time that the first anesthetic was administered back in 1926 through the present day, our Department has grown to be one of the finest academic departments in the nation. Please click below to enjoy a trip back in time and follow the progress our Department has made since its inception.

The Early Years

1983 - Present

We’d like to acknowledge the significant contributions of Drs. Pratima Shah and David Lai who researched the history of our Department for a presentation at the 50th Postgraduate Assembly of the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists in December 1995.