Charles Burstein, MD: First Director of Anesthesiology at Hospital for Special Surgery

Charles L. Burstein was the first departmental Director and Chief of Anesthesiology at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He joined the staff in 1937, when the hospital was still known by its original name of the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled. In 1940, it was renamed The Hospital for Special Surgery. Burstein, an early disciple of Emery Rovenstine, accomplished much to advance the Department of Anesthesiology through academic collaborations, education, clinical specialization, and research. He laid the groundwork for the future success of a department that continues to thrive to this day in clinical and academic orthopedic anesthesia. •Biography of first anesthesiology department director at an orthopedic hospital•Expansion of postgraduate anesthesia education for orthopedic procedures•Description of Emery Rovenstine’s legacy in New York health care facilities