A Q&A with Olga “Kiki” Nin, M.D., clinical associate professor of anesthesiology and medical director of UF Health’s Florida Surgical Center and The Oaks

Olga “Kiki” Nin, M.D., recently spoke with us about her career with the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology. She is a clinical associate professor in the Division of Acute Pain Medicine, the assistant chair for clinical services, and medical director of UF Health’s Florida Surgical Center and UF Health Surgical Center—The Oaks.

Kiki Nin

Q: You completed a residency and fellowship here at the University of Florida prior to joining the faculty. Why did you choose anesthesiology as your specialty? Why did you decide to stay in Gainesville?

A: When I was at Thomas Jefferson Medical School I was introduced to regional anesthesia and fell in love with this subspecialty. I researched where I would want to go for residency and learned UF had a strong regional fellowship under the direction of Dr. Boezaart. When I came to do an away rotation in medical school, I fell in love with UF. I enjoy living in Gainesville and have grown to be a part of this community. At work, I have phenomenal mentors and colleagues and hope to continue to grow my career at UF for many years to come.

Q: You are a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Division of Acute Pain Medicine. What does a day in the life of someone working in that division look like?

A: A day in the life of a regional anesthesiologist typically involves a balance of patient care, procedural work, and coordination with the surgical team to develop a multimodal pain plan. Planning starts long before the day of surgery, but on any given day, we start at 6:30 a.m. We review the day’s patients and any changes to the schedule, then meet our patients and discuss their individual pain care plans. We then perform the regional blocks before the patients go to the OR. In the afternoon, we round on our patients to ensure their comfort, then prepare for the next day.

Q: As the assistant chair for clinical services in the department, you manage the clinical operations and anesthesia providers for the main operating rooms, Florida Surgical Center, the Children’s Surgical Center, and all non-operating room anesthesia areas. You are also the medical director of Florida Surgical Center and The Oaks. What have you learned about leadership during your time in these roles?

A: I have been fortunate to have truly gifted leaders as my mentors and role models at UF. Over the past 18 months, as my leadership role expanded, I have learned to work more efficiently to ensure my many and varied tasks stay on track. I have grown more comfortable with delegation, when appropriate. Most importantly, I have deepened my belief that my effectiveness as a leader depends on my interpersonal relationships; I take care to cultivate and maintain positive relationships in all areas of my worklife. This not only makes me a more effective leader but creates a healthier work environment for all.

Q: What influenced you to choose a career path in clinical leadership?

A: Over the many years I have spent at UF, I benefitted from wonderful mentors and leaders. As I benefitted so much from this environment, I wanted to become a part of the system that made me who I am.

Q: You have also co-authored several research articles, publishing most recently in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. What areas of research are most compelling to you?

A: Research offers a balance for me, a different way of thinking than my administrative and clinical roles. What I find most compelling about clinical research is learning precisely how best to care for our patients and translating that into patient care.

Q: You joined the Department of Anesthesiology in 2014. Do you have any favorite stories from your time here?

A: During my years as a resident, my father was involved with our department’s international medical mission project in which we distributed pulse oximeters to medical providers in Honduras through LifeBox. He went with our team to Honduras to assist with translation on our quarterly trips. When I graduated from residency, the department leaders called him to the front and offered him his very own white coat to honor his contributions to our department. I was touched by their gratitude, and it remains a wonderful, poignant memory, particularly after my father unexpectedly passed.

Q: September was Women in Medicine Month. What advice do you have for future women entering medicine as a career?

A: Find mentors early on, individuals who you respect and admire. As you grow in your profession, become a sponsor and mentor and elevate other women with you.

Q: How do you structure your time to enable all of your clinical, educational, scholarly, and other pursuits?

A: I make a lot of lists and checklists and use an agenda and timer to stay on track. I also frequently assess and reassess priorities to ensure everything important gets done on time.

Q: What do you do outside of work for fun and relaxation?

A: My hobbies are traveling and playing tennis. I love traveling and spending time with the family. One of my favorite places to go is Puerto Rico, where my family and I are from. I love playing tennis and love watching UF collegiate sports.

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