The Acute Pain Service at the University of Kentucky has a long history of innovation with regard to the advancement of the state-of-the-art in perioperative pain management.  Patient controlled analgesia was first described and utilized by physicians in our department.  We continue these traditions today as we have one of the most active Pain Services in the country.  Our department maintains one of the few physician-directed, nurse-driven, twenty-four hour per day, in-house Pain Services.  Twice weekly lectures and journal review supplement your procedural education experience.  Over one thousand thoracic epidurals are done annually.  Residents surpass the number of regional blocks required by the ABA in the first of their three months on this rotation  The full spectrum of single shot and continuous blocks are done by our faculty in both the inpatient and ambulatory setting.  Fully equipped, dedicated block rooms enhance patient comfort and the educational experience.  Five faculty are dedicated to acute pain/regional anesthesia practice and education with two faculty having expertise in use of ultrasound guided regional anesthesia.  There is an active research unit with ongoing pain/regional anesthesia protocols for those interested in academic pursuits.  The intensive faculty input and the heavy emphasis on obtaining a broad array of procedural skills make this rotation a resident favorite.