We are excited to announce that Allyson Tragesser, M.D., is the recipient of the 2022 J.S. Gravenstein Award for Excellence in Anesthesiology. This award is presented each year to an outstanding University of Florida College of Medicine graduate who intends to pursue anesthesiology.
Tragesser, who will join the Department of Anesthesiology as a PGY-1 resident on July 1, was selected by department leadership based on her record of achievements and demonstrated interest in anesthesiology. She received the award during the senior medical student awards banquet on May 12 at Valley View at Santa Fe River Ranch.
Receiving the award was an honor and represented a full-circle moment, Tragesser said. As an undergraduate student at UF, her first shadowing experience in medicine was with Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., the Jerome H. Modell, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology.
“This experience sparked my interest in anesthesiology, and I have been excited by the field ever since,” she said.
During medical school, Tragesser served as president of the Anesthesia Interest Group. She also conducted research with Kevin Sullivan, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, on the postoperative effects of different endotracheal tubes in infants undergoing cardiac surgery.
“The department’s faculty members and residents have been incredible role models and mentors to me throughout my medical education,” she said. “I am thrilled and grateful to begin my anesthesia residency at the University of Florida.”
Tragesser also thanked Chris Giordano, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and director of the Anesthesiology/Critical Care Clerkship for fourth-year medical students, for his mentorship.
“Dr. Giordano served as a tremendous advisor and advocate for the students applying into anesthesia and helped us explore different aspects of the field through his clerkship,” she said.
Congratulations, Dr. Tragesser!