A Hands-On Approach to Medicine Leads to a Career in Anesthesiology

Four members of the Miller School of Medicine’s Class of 2025 will partake in the military match, a residency matching process for medical students who are part of a military scholarship program and committed to serve their country.

Stephen Hueniken in his military uniform

When Stephen Hueniken, M.D. ’25, shadowed a surgeon during his senior year of high school, he knew medicine would be his calling. Hueniken now aspires to match into an anesthesiology residency and join the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

“For me, anesthesiology is the merger of my two interests: medicine and biomedical engineering,” Hueniken said. “This field will provide me with a hands-on approach to medicine that I can implement into my other interest, the U.S. military, as my family has done before me.”

Early Inspiration and Medical Foundation

Born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, Hueniken’s early exposure to medicine and engineering began with his parents. His father is an engineer and his mother is a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

“I credit my mom as the one who set that spark into medicine for my younger brother and me,” Hueniken said. “Through her, I had opportunities to shadow surgeons and observe her at work. I even got to peek over the curtain in the operating room and see the collaborative effort of a health care team working to ensure a patient’s well-being.”

A medical career was in Hueniken’s mindset. But instead of taking a traditional route, he studied biomedical engineering at the University of Miami.

“What I loved most about my biomedical engineering classes were the lab projects,” Hueniken said. “We built nerve stimulators and constructed spirometers to measure lung capacity, comparing our results to actual medical devices. My education at UM gave me a wide range of skills and opportunities, even if I hadn’t chosen to pursue medicine.”

Miami Education Shapes Interest in Anesthesiology

After five years in Miami, Hueniken felt at home in the city’s vibrant cultural community and developed strong connections with the Miller School’s faculty, a major influence in choosing the Miller School for his medical education. His time there became even more meaningful when his younger brother, Mitchell, joined the same M.D. class.

Stephen Hueniken (left) with brother and fellow medical student, Mitchell
Brothers Mitchell (left) and Stephen are in the same medical school class.

Through the Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Department of Community Service program, Hueniken enriched his education by serving as the group’s bone density manager. He used ultrasound technology to scan patients’ wrists, a role that combined his engineering background with practical care.

Hueniken discovered his passion for anesthesiology within the Miller School’s NextGenMD curriculum, which allowed him to explore a variety of specialties. Through rotations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and in San Antonio, Texas, he observed open heart surgeries, lung transplants and complex heart pathology, gaining insight into how anesthesiologists seamlessly integrate technology with medicine.

“Anesthesiology appeals to me because it blends technology with patient care, offering a tangible impact and exposure to diverse medical cases,” Hueniken said. “These early exposures, thanks to NextGenMD, were invaluable as I apply for residency.”

Preparing for the Air Force

Prior to joining the Air Force, Hueniken hopes to match into an anesthesiology residency program.

“Practicing military medicine in the future will be such a unique career,” Hueniken said. “My residency training will provide a strong foundation by allowing me to first gain experience in the civilian sector before transitioning to the military. These moments will shape me into a well-rounded anesthesiologist.”

After residency, Hueniken has his sights set on an Air Force special operations surgical team. In this elite role, he would work with a small group of medical professionals alongside special operations units to provide medical care during military missions. He would undergo specialized training in air transport, parachuting and other physical skills, all while practicing anesthesiology.

“At the end of the day, it’s about making the most of every opportunity and embracing the journey,” Hueniken said. “I’m excited to meet incredible people and experience remarkable situations during both civilian residency and my Air Force career.”


Tags: anesthesiology, medical students, military match, residency