Congratulations to all who had publications in September! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Brennan, Gonzalez Rodriguez, Gravenstein, Khan, Martynyuk, Sappenfield, Spiess, and Urdaneta. Anesthesia and Analgesia Acosta JC, Hagen JE, Sappenfield JW. Best Location for a Closed Reduction of Dislocated Total Hip Arthroplasty: Emergency Department…
At a Glance UF Health’s anesthesiology care team includes highly specialized CRNAs and CAAs who deliver expert, patient-centered care across a wide range of complex surgical cases. No two days are alike. Providers work across virtually every surgical specialty, from transplant surgery to the burn unit, ensuring both variety…
Please help us welcome Heather Reed, M.D., to the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. She joins us as an associate professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. Reed was previously in our department for two years as an assistant professor starting in 2016. During this…
Brandon Lopez, M.D., clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been appointed medical director of Non-Operating Room Anesthesia (NORA) and chief of the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology NORA Division. Lopez was chosen for his expertise and commitment to UF Health’s mission to deliver high-quality patient care services.
Please help us welcome Shahrukh Bengali, M.D., to the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. He joins us as an assistant professor in the Division of Pain Medicine. Prior to joining our department faculty, Bengali was a fellow in the endoscopic spine surgery program. As a fellow,…
Nisha Kandiah, M.D., was chosen by our residents as the August 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Resident nominations for Dr. Kandiah say it is enjoyable working with her: “Dr. Kandiah is a great teacher who gives residents the autonomy to grow while always being there when we…
Sanjeev Kumar, M.D., professor of anesthesiology and director of the Endoscopic Spine Surgery Fellowship, was appointed chief of UF Health Pain Medicine in Gainesville. As chief, he will oversee clinical operations, champion academic missions, lead administration, and ensure strategic growth. “I’m honored to serve as chief and…
Caitlyn Hudson, M.D., CA-3 resident, was chosen by her peers as the August 2026 Resident of the Month. Dr. Hudson’s nominations highlight her dedication to workplace excellence: “She consistently goes the extra mile and brings a high-level of professionalism and commitment to her work.” One co-resident emphasized that…
University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology Chair Gregory Janelle, M.D., FASE, FASA, professor of anesthesiology and surgery, has been appointed chief of medical staff for UF Health Shands. Prior to this, he served as vice chief of medical staff for two years. Janelle was chosen for his…
Congratulations to all who had publications in August! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Berkow, Haas, Peng, and Sibille. British Journal of Anaesthesia Erdoes G, Gunaydin S, Haas T, Koster A, Hofmann A. Patient blood management: the implementation gap does not lie in the lack of evidence,…
Our six pain medicine fellows recently participated in a workshop to prepare them for the realities of performing interventional pain procedures. They identified spine anatomy and practiced guiding needles and locating targets under fluoroscopy, which are essential skills for safe and successful procedures. Juan Mora, M.D., associate professor…
Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and program director for the Academy in Medical Education Scholarship, has been appointed to the William M. Hall Professorship in the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies. Vasilopoulos was chosen for her expertise, accomplishments, and dedication to advancing the University of…
Christopher Edwards, M.D., and Sandra Gonzalez, M.D., both associate professors of anesthesiology, received special recognition for serving as consultants for the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) Hotline, which is a national 24-hour consultation service for MH emergencies provided by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS). Edwards has…
A new book co-edited by Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., provides a comprehensive reference for the management of pain before, during, and after surgery. Perioperative Pain Management: From Preoperative Optimization to Transitional Postoperative Care, published in July by Springer, addresses pain treatment across several areas of healthcare, including anesthesia, surgery,…
More than 20 residents and fellows from the UF Departments of Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Neurology, and Surgery participated in this year’s Multidisciplinary Critical Care Medicine Boot Camp, held over two and a half days in August. UF College of Medicine faculty provided attendees with a common curriculum for…
Chris Goldstein, M.D., was chosen by our residents as the July 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Goldstein’s nominations talk about his effective approach to teaching residents: “He is an exceptional teacher who always takes the time to explain and teach with patience.” A resident says Dr.
Mohammed Mohammed, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the July 2026 Resident of the Month. Dr. Mohammed’s nominations highlight his collaborative attitude and positive disposition: “He is always willing to step up and help support his co-residents. A true team player who consistently brings a great attitude.”…
Please help us welcome David Fishman, M.D., FASA, and Lauren Callahan, M.D., to the UF Department of Anesthesiology. They join the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesiology as an associate professor and an assistant professor, respectively. Fishman was recently an associate professor of anesthesiology at North Shore University Hospital, where…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in July! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Boezaart, Chuba, Gravenstein, Haas, Khan, Martynyuk, Maybauer, Reina, Spiess, and Vasilopoulos. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Stukov Y, Aladaileh M, Rackauskas M, Maybauer MO. ProtekDuo Cannulation via Right External Jugular Vein: A First…
Four CA-2 residents scored in the top 10% nationally on the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) BASIC Examination this summer. Congratulations to Paola Silva Enriquez, M.D., Dawei Guan, M.D., Wendy Guo, M.D., and Ben Yitzhak, M.D. The BASIC Examination is the first test of the…
Our Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at the University of Florida is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that prepares fellows to direct intensive care units and manage all the issues that arise in the care of critically ill surgical patients. Rylee Pence, M.D., is one of our current critical care-emergency medicine…
Two physicians joined our Endoscopic Spine Fellowship and six joined our Pain Medicine Fellowship. Please help us in welcoming them to the Department of Anesthesiology! Incoming Endoscopic Spine Fellows Adam Delora, M.D., M.S., Delora earned his medical degree from the University of New Mexico. He…
Dianne Fontanez-Nieves, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the June 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Fontanez-Nieves’ nominations speak about her bright disposition and goal to create a welcoming learning environment: “Dr. Fontanez-Nieves is always a delight to work with. She creates…
Please help us welcome Kyle Chan, M.D., who joins the UF Department of Anesthesiology as an assistant professor in the Divisions of Liver Transplant and Multispecialty Anesthesiology. Chan earned his medical degree from the UF College of Medicine and recently completed his anesthesiology residency here at our department,…
Four physicians joined our Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship in July. Please help us welcome them to the Department of Anesthesiology! Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellows Michael “Mikey” Berentzen, M.D. Berentzen earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine and finished his residency here at…
Pedrito Hernández Pérez, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the June 2026 Resident of the Month! Dr. Hernández Pérez’s nominations highlight his hard work and consideration: “His pre-op work is thorough and thoughtful, and his initiative and reliability don’t go unnoticed.” A co-resident pointed out his can-do…
Stories from over 50 years of exceptional experiences as an anesthesiologist are not often shared widely. This year, however, André P. Boezaart, M.D., Ph.D., FASRA, emeritus professor with the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology, received the 2026 Gaston Labat Award from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia…
Five physicians joined our Critical Care Medicine Fellowship and one joined our Adult Combined Cardiothoracic Critical Care Fellowship. Please help us in welcoming them to the Department of Anesthesiology! Incoming Critical Care Medicine Fellows Younus Aqeel, M.D. Aqeel earned his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University…
On Monday, July 6, our current chair and three of our former chairs visited Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics Shirley Graves, M.D., to congratulate her on being selected for one of the university’s most prestigious honors, the Distinguished Achievement Award.
Three University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology faculty members were promoted this year, effective July 1, 2026. Congratulations to Joshua Sappenfield, M.D., Sandra Gonzalez, M.D., and Everett Jones, M.D.! Sappenfield was promoted to clinical professor of anesthesiology, while Gonzalez and Jones earned the clinical associate professor title.
Please welcome Juan Carlos Fiorda Diaz, M.D., and Jeeva George, MBBS, M.D., D.M., to the UF Department of Anesthesiology. They both join us as assistant professors in the Division of Neuroanesthesiology. Prior to joining us, Fiorda Diaz was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa Department…
We are delighted to welcome an exceptional group of new physicians who have just joined the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology! Our new additions include 20 four-year residents (interns) and five three-year residents (CA1s). Among this talented cohort, six are graduates from our own UF College…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in June! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Bashir, Garvan, Urdaneta, Vasilopoulos, and White. Anesthesia and Analgesia Bashir AH. A new study partner: leveraging artificial intelligence for the Anesthesiology APPLIED Exam. Anesth Analg. Published online June 15, 2026. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000008159…
Ryan King, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the May 2026 Resident of the Month! Dr. King’s nominations emphasize his positive attitude: “His work ethic and positive attitude make him someone I enjoy working with.” Another co-resident said, “Awesome team member on mole. Always on top of…
Elvio Mazzotta, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the May 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Mazzotta’s nominations highlight his calm demeanor and valuable knowledge: “Great teacher, very easy to work with, calm and collected.” Another nomination said: “Pleasure to work with.
The UF Department of Anesthesiology was well represented at the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA) Annual Meeting, held June 12-14th at the Breakers in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 40 of our department members, including faculty, residents, and fellows, played an active role in making the meeting…
Twenty-two residents moving into their first clinical anesthesia year (CA1) attended our 2026 Basic Skills Boot Camp. Held June 1–5, 2026, this intensive five-day program bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and the fast-paced realities of the operating room, equipping residents with the hands-on skills, clinical tools, and professional…
The University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology held the 2026 Residents’ Graduation and Awards Ceremony on June 6 at the Champion’s Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Residents and their families gathered with department members to celebrate this significant milestone. In addition to recognizing each of our resident…
Please help us welcome Allison S. Haller, M.D., to the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. She joined us as an assistant professor in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesiology. Haller previously spent eight years as an assistant professor with our department. She earned her medical degree from…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in May! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Bashir, Berkow, Brennan, Kumar, Maybauer, Mora, Przkora, Smith, and Vasilopoulos. A&A Practice Krogman H, Goordeen A, Mora JC. Comparative Outcomes of Lateral and Posterior Approaches to Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion…
In June, 25 of our residents are graduating and moving on in their careers. One of these outstanding graduates is Kellen Creech, D.O., MPH. Creech received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and served as one of our chief residents for the past…
Please help us welcome Zeeshan Khan, Ph.D., to the UF Department of Anesthesiology. He joined us as an assistant scientist in our Research Division. Khan has worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the laboratory of Anatoly Martynyuk, Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology and neuroscience, for three years. He has…
Andrea Macias Mendoza, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the April 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Mendoza’s nominations commend her for recognizing when to let residents take charge and when to step in and lead: “On mole, Dr. Mendoza was so…
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Florida reports that bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation (BOLT) was a life‑saving treatment for patients with end‑stage pulmonary disease caused by COVID‑19, even when those patients required prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The article, “Clinical Characteristics and…
Cameron Myers, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the April 2026 Resident of the Month! Dr. Myers’ nominations emphasize his great teamwork skills and helpful attitude: “He is an outstanding team player who is always willing to step in and help wherever needed.” Another co-resident said, “He…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in April! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Bashir, Beltran, Boezaart, Chapin, Chembrovich, Garvin, Gravenstein, Haas, Ihnatsenka, Jimenez Ruiz, Lampotang, Luria, Martin, Maybauer, Przkora, Reina, Robicsek, Samouce, Schutte, Shah, Slowey, Walker, Wendling, and Zasimovich. A&A Practice Chan K, Ali S,…
Please help us welcome Melissa Vu, M.D., to the UF Department of Anesthesiology. She joined us as an associate professor in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesiology. Vu earned her medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Kansas City, where she also completed her anesthesiology…
On May 7, University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine faculty gathered together to honor their colleagues with some annual awards. The Department of Anesthesiology was well-represented with a faculty council lifetime achievement award, a college-level clinical excellence award, and three departmental clinical awards. Lifetime Achievement Laurie Davies,…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology held its 10th annual Rebecca Lovely Awards Luncheon on May 1st, where department leaders recognized the overall contributions of our administrative staff and a select few were awarded for their efforts. Tammy Bleeker, MEd, C-TAGME, assistant director of education…
Rohan Sarna, M.D., joins us as a UF Health physician, specializing in chronic pain medicine, at UF Health Pain Medicine – Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sarna completed his endoscopic spine fellowship with us in 2024. After his fellowship, he practiced as an interventional pain physician for…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology is pleased to announce John Heinbockel, M.D., MSEE, assistant professor of anesthesiology, was appointed the medical director for the UF Health Ocala Neighborhood Hospital. In this role, Heinbockel will develop systems for patient flow, optimize preoperative services, ensure compliance with regulatory…
Omowonuola Ogundele, M.D., an anesthesiology intern, has been selected for the University of Florida Health LEAD Resident award. LEAD stands for listens to and values each other’s input, emphasizes to understand and put our patients first, achieves our goals together, and dedicates him/herself to make quality care and attentive…
Mike Jayson, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the March 2026 Resident of the Month! Dr. Jayson’s nominations praise his hard work as a mole team member: “He went above and beyond during his mole rotation. He checked on other residents and made sure all preops were…
Anthony Barrios, M.D., assistant program director for Resident Education & Didactics, was chosen by our residents as the March 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Barrios’ nominations emphasize how rewarding it is to have him as an educator: “He is a fantastic attending who is passionate about…
On April 2, 2026, the University of Florida College of Medicine Society of Teaching Scholars presented Ally Tragesser, M.D., a CA-3 anesthesiology resident, with the Outstanding Resident Educator Award at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, Gainesville. The award, sponsored by the Society of Teaching Scholars, includes a lapel pin…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in March! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Boezaart, Bose, Brennan, Endredi, Jones, Lampotang, Peng, Price, Reina, Samouce, Shah, Soberón, Vasilopoulos, and Venkatachalam. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science Gandhi J, Shah V, Pandya R, Shah M, McClements DJ, Shah…
This year, two faculty members in the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology were inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honor medical society. Congratulations to Gregory Janelle, M.D., FASE, FASA, chair of the department and professor of anesthesiology and surgery, and Meghan Brennan, M.D., M.S., associate professor of…
Doctors Whiteside, Baker, and Adepoju (left to right) The UF Department of Anesthesiology is pleased to announce our three new chief residents for the upcoming academic year. Victor Adepoju, M.D., Rachel Baker, M.D., and Jonah Whiteside, M.D., will serve from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. As…
This March, the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology hosted the Spring Anesthesia Ski Summit in Vail, Colorado. This was the third consecutive year the summit returned to Antlers Resort, after a few years of coordinating the event in Park City, Utah. The event ran from Monday to Friday, allowing…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology’s Center for Safety, Simulation & Advanced Learning Technologies (CSSALT) moved from the Harrell Medical Education Building to room CG-15 on the ground floor of the Communicore Building, bringing the lab closer to the department and making its training, simulation,…
Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology, associate chair for research, chief of the Division of Pain Medicine, and director of our Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship, has been selected as the recipient of the award for Educational Stewardship & Leadership in Pain Medicine by the American Society of…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology has successfully matched with 20 interns (4-year residents) and four CA1s (3-year residents) who will join us this July, and one “advanced commitment” physician who will begin training with us as a CA1 in July 2027. Six of our incoming interns…
Danielle Cobb, M.D., courtesy assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the February 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Cobb’s nominations highlight her dedication to teaching residents and helping them succeed: “She consistently makes everyone feel like a valuable part of the team. She…
Kade Eppich, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the February 2026 Resident of the Month! Dr. Eppich’s nominations applaud his positive attitude and his tendency to surpass expectations: “He has a great attitude, and he’s always willing to help and try to share the load of tough…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology held its Celebration of Research on March 5. Department members gathered to view over 40 posters and listen to a handful of oral presentations as well as a special keynote address. This annual event is an opportunity for department…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in February! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Boezaart, Chapin, Davies, Downs, Fahy, Garvan, Heidi Goldstein, and Reina. British Journal of Anaesthesia De Cassai A, Dost B, Augoustides JG…Goldstein HV…et al. Responsible Use of Large Language Models in Manuscript Authorship,…
The 2026 University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology Celebration of Research will be held on Thursday, March 5. This annual event highlights the broad spectrum of research within the department, including basic science, case reports, quality improvement, clinical trials, and education. Over the last year, a number of department…
All 3 of the UF Department of Anesthesiology’s FY26 chief residents have been selected for induction to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honor medical society. Congratulations to Kyle Chan, M.D., Kellen Creech, D.O., and Ally Tragesser, M.D., for this remarkable honor. They were recognized for their high educational achievement…
Tyler Fong, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the January 2026 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Fong’s nominations highlight his caring nature and helpful instruction: “He genuinely cares about each resident and is always willing to teach and explain his clinical decision.”…
Eduardo Walker, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the January 2026 Resident of the Month!Dr. Walker’s nominations applaud his helpful nature: “Eduardo took time out of his busy morning before his case to help me set up for my case. He is always going above and…
Please help us welcome Harvey Livingstone, MBChB, MMedSc, FRCA, to the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. He joins us as an assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Livingstone earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Leeds School of…
Rebecca Wakeman, CCRC, CPT, manager of the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology clinical research office, received a 2026 UF Superior Accomplishment Award. She was recognized for her individual employee performance in division 5 (UF Health Colleges, Academic Units, and Research Centers & Institutes). Wakeman’s excellent work…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology was well represented at the 16th annual UF College of Medicine (COM) Celebration of Research with 30 posters. The two-day celebration culminated at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on February 10 with a poster session. The event took place in…
Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology and director of anesthesia supplies and equipment for UF Health Shands Hospital, has been selected to receive a spring 2026 Faculty Enhancement Opportunity (FEO) award. She will use the funding to attend an annual meeting for the Technical Council (TC) 121 Committee…
The 2026 Jerome H. Modell, M.D., – Dinesh O. Shah, Ph.D., Annual Lecture in Anesthesiology was held on Thursday, February 5, in the Harrell Medical Education Building. This year the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology was honored to welcome Daryl J. Kor, M.D., M.Sc., chair of the…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in January! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Andoniadis, Boezaart, Euliano, Fahy, Frantz, Garvan, Lopez, Maybauer, Przkora, Reina, Smith, Vasilopoulos, Wendling, and Wenzel. American Journal of Infection Control Vasilopoulos T, Smith CR, Frantz AM, LeMaster T, Martinez RA, Gunnett AM, Fahy…
André P. Boezaart, M.D., Ph.D., FASRA, emeritus professor with the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology, has been chosen to receive the 2026 Gaston Labat Award by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA) and Pain Medicine. He was selected due to his incredible contributions to the development,…
On Saturday, January 24, 15 University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology residents along with their friends and families gathered in the Harrell Medical Education Building to explore the daily life of anesthesiologists. Tim Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, associate chair for education, chief of the Division of Pediatric…
Austin Friedman, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the December 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Friedman’s nominations state that he is a great team player who goes above and beyond: “Austin was on my mole team, and he was wonderful. He took on difficult cases without…
Kenneth N. John, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the December 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. John’s nominations highlight his dedication to resident education: “He is heavily invested in resident education and genuinely cares about us. Always fun to work with…
New research to support better outcomes after heart bypass surgery has been released by a team of researchers from the UF Departments of Anesthesiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Using clinical data from UF Health Shands Hospital, the team developed a preliminary prediction model to identify modifiable factors associated with patients…
Tim Feldheim, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, and Juan Mora, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, recently completed the UF College of Medicine Leadership Development Program, which seeks to enhance the skills of current faculty leaders. The program uses the UF Leadership Competency Model as a guide and allows…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in December! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Fahy, Maybauer, Nin, Parker, Przkora, Sappenfield, Shah, Smith, Tighe, and Wenzel. American Journal of Veterinary Research Davey EL, Gabaldon C, Reynolds PS, et al. Diaphragmotomy Enhances Caudal Liver Displacement and Hilus…
F. Kayser Enneking, M.D., professor of anesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery, is retiring from the University of Florida College of Medicine after more than three decades of service. Enneking received her medical degree from UF in 1986 before completing anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas and a regional anesthesia fellowship at Brigham…
Susana Cruz Beltrán, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the November 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Cruz Beltrán’s nominations highlight how accommodating and supportive she is as a teacher. One resident said, “Dr. Cruz makes an effort to draw out personalized…
Ignacio Quintana, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the November 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Quintana’s nominations praise his proactive personality. A co-resident said, “Ignacio has done a great job in the ICU. He takes initiative, seeks learning opportunities, and takes ownership of his patients.” Another…
Soleil Schutte, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, has played an integral role in the Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship, previously acting as assistant program director, she is now taking the lead as director of the fellowship. In 2020, Schutte completed her anesthesiology…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in November! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Garvan, Haas, Meroney, Przkora, Shah, Spiess, and Wenzel. ACS Applied Bio Materials Maulvi FA, Mahala SM, Shetty KH, Sahu A, Patel AR, Desai DT, Shah DO, Willcox MDP. Engineering mixed micelle-loaded…
Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology and associate chair for research, has been appointed to two committees. He was selected for the North American Neuromodulation Society’s (NANS) Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee as well as for the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) Committee on Scientific Advisory (SAC).
Emuejevoke “Voke” Chuba, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been accepted into the Karl M. Altenburger, M.D., Physician Leadership Academy for 2026. This Florida Medical Association physician leadership academy is a year-long program that helps emerging physicians develop leadership skills along with other non-clinical skills. Chuba will…
Juan Mora, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the October 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Mora’s nominations praise his clinical teaching as he helps residents become more confident and informed. One resident said Dr. Mora “prioritized my education with every patient,…
Jonah Whiteside, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the October 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Whiteside’s nominations say that it is easy to work with him due to his positive attitude and great humor. A co-resident said he is “clinically strong and always a well-prepared resident…
Karisa Walker, M.D., M.Ed., associate professor of anesthesiology, is the lead author on a recently published research report in Pediatric Anesthesia examining the prevalence of sexual harassment (SH) among pediatric anesthesiology fellowship program directors, associate program directors, and fellows. Her paper, “Harassment and Burnout in…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in *October! Our faculty with publications were Drs. AbuRahma, Bose, Fahy, Goldstein, Maybauer, Peng, Rawal, Sappenfield, Sibille, and Vasilopoulos. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia van Nispen J, Bradley G, Rackauskas M, Rawal SB, Mulvoy W, Maybauer MO. Venoarterial Extracorporeal Life…
We are pleased to announce that 14 Department of Anesthesiology faculty members have received the UF College of Medicine Exemplary Teacher Award for 2025. Eligible faculty are nominated from each department and participate in a college-wide competition. Faculty are selected based on the excellence of their teaching…
David Jablonski, Jr., M.D., is a CA-2 resident with a medical degree from the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine. Additionally, he has a undergraduate degree from UF. He is interested in pursuing a regional fellowship after residency. Shout out to Amanda Frantz, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology,…
Bharathram Vasudevan, MBBS, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the September 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Vasudevan’s nominations highlight his helpful and effective teaching methods. One resident said, “I have worked with Dr. Vasudevan in several settings including the OR, ICU,…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology recently launched a research administration internship program for recent graduates interested in the administrative processes that support research initiatives. Interns learn about research compliance, grants and awards, project finances, and more. Martin Noguera, M.S., CRA, CPRA, assistant director of research…
University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology members attended this year’s American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting with faculty, staff, fellows, and residents sharing more than 25 posters and participating in numerous sessions, discussions, and panels. Held in San Antonio, Texas, from October 10-14, 2025, the ASA conference…
Abigail Schirmer, M.D., CA-3 resident, has been recognized by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) with the Resident Distinction Award, which was created for anesthesiology residents to develop their professional citizenship, leadership, and scholarship capabilities. She is the first University of Florida anesthesiology resident to receive this new designation,…
Melanie Vargas, M.D., was chosen by her peers as the September 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Vargas’ nominations praise her helpfulness and pleasant attitude. “Melanie is an outstanding resident who is always not only willing but happy to help the team. She brings an enjoyable attitude to…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in September! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Beltran, Brennan, Chapin, Davies, Feldheim, Garvan, Gravenstein, Janelle, Lampotang, Martynyuk, Morey, Pitkin, Price, Samouce, Sullivan, Tighe, and Walker. Advances in Anesthesia Feldheim TV, Brennan M, Tighe P. The Current…
Please help us welcome Hadia Maqsood, MBBS, to the UF Department of Anesthesiology as an assistant professor in the Division of Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM). Maqsood has an extensive history with the department, where she completed her anesthesiology residency and RAAPM fellowship. During her time…
Scott Beener lived with chronic pain for years. It was mostly located in his lower back, radiating down to his legs. His pain was so debilitating that he was unable to walk most of the time and was confined to a wheelchair. After some conservative therapies and an unsuccessful surgery,…
We are pleased to announce that Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology, chief of the Division of Pain Medicine, and program director for our Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship, has been named associate chair of research for the UF Department of Anesthesiology. Przkora takes on this role after…
Anesthesia & Analgesia recently published a letter to the editor co-authored by UF Department of Anesthesiology members Abigail Schirmer, M.D., Olga Nin, M.D., Laurie Davies, M.D., Joseph AbuRahma, M.D., and Lauren Berkow, M.D. Nina Sharifi, B.S., a medical student in the College of Medicine, was…
Erika Taco Vasquez, M.D., was chosen by our residents as the August 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Vasquez’s nominations point out that residents enjoy her courses due to her calm presence and welcoming personality. “Dr. Vasquez is always so calming,” one resident said. “She comes into…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology leadership team has named three new clinical directors of research. Congratulations to Sebastián Gatica-Morris, M.D., T. Everett Jones, M.D., and Gevalin Srisooksai, M.D., on their appointments. Gatica-Morris will serve as the clinical director of research for the Division of Neuroanesthesiology.
Steven Ayala, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the August 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Ayala’s nominations highlight his helpfulness and flexibility. “He really went out of the way to make my paired experience better,” One of his co-residents said. “He taught well and allowed me…
Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, has received accolades from two different journals. She has been invited to join the BMC Medical Education journal as an editorial board member. Additionally, a paper that she co-authored has been recognized with an award by…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in August! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Beltran, Boezaart, Gravenstein, Lampotang, Pitkin, Reina, Samouce, Shah, Sullivan, Trippensee, and Wardhan. Annals of Thoracic Surgery Bleiweis MS, Philip J, Fudge JC, Beltran SC, Sullivan KJ, Narasimhulu SS, Pitkin AD, Gupta D,…
Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology, has been appointed to two American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) committees, which focus on academics. He will fulfill a two-year adjunct term for ASA’s 2026 Committee on Academic Anesthesiology. He will also engage in a one-year member term for ASA’s 2026…
Congratulations to Asad Bashir, M.D., Zeeshan Khan, Ph.D., and Kelena Klippel, M.S., who received 2025 I. Heermann Anesthesia Foundation (IHAF) Education Awards. Faculty members Prodip Bose, M.D., Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Ryan Parker, M.D., and Anatoly E. Martynyuk, Ph.D. are co-investigators and mentors on these projects. The…
Meet Paola Nathaly Silva Enriquez, M.D., a talented and dedicated member of our anesthesiology residency program. After completing her medical degree at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Facultad de Medicina in Colombia, Enriquez joined our team as an intern in 2024. As she embarks on her first…
Please help us welcome Walter Johnson, M.D., who joined the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology and UF Health as a pain medicine specialist at the Ocala Neighborhood Hospital (ONH). As the medical director of pain medicine services at ONH, he plays a key role in expanding…
Josh Sappenfield, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the July 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Sappenfield’s nominations pointed out that his lectures are well-organized and easily digestible. One nomination said he “does a great job making complex concepts easier to understand.”…
Fellows from the UF Departments of Anesthesiology, Neurology, and Surgery gathered together in August for the seventh annual Multidisciplinary Critical Care Medicine Boot Camp, alongside a select group of anesthesiology residents. This intensive two-day program serves as a crucial introduction to the complexities of critical care medicine at UF…
Dimitri Kampouris, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the July 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Kampouris’ nominations highlight his reliability and hard work. One nomination said he “performed at a high level during an overnight case involving an intraop code.” He also “reliably completed any task…
Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., the Jerome H. Modell, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology, and professor of neurosurgery and periodontology, has been named a Distinguished Professor by the University of Florida (UF). This award is one of UF’s highest faculty recognitions and is held by only seven other College of Medicine faculty…
Congratulations to all who had articles or book chapters published in July! Our faculty with publications were Drs. AbuRahma, Berkow, Davies, Edwards, Fahy, Garvan, Jimenez, Jones, Kumar, Maybauer, Meroney, Mora, Nin, Przkora, and Vasilopoulos. Annals of Cardiac Anesthesia Landolt L, Goldstein JC, Weir W, Rackauskas M, AbuRahma…
Please join us in welcoming Shakthi Jayanthy Venkatachalam, MBBS, to the UF Department of Anesthesiology as an assistant professor in the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia. Venkatachalam earned her medical degree at the PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Coimbatore, India, where she also did her internship,…
A University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology team intends to streamline chest and urine drainage management with automated, remote, and continuous monitoring. Samsun Lampotang, Ph.D., the Joachim S. Gravenstein Professor of Anesthesiology, is at the forefront of this project along with Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., the Jerome H.
In response to identified gaps in anesthesia care, a University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology team launched a project to enhance regional anesthesia skills among anesthesiologists and anesthesiology residents in rural Guatemala, ultimately improving patient outcomes and elevating the standard of care. This initiative was sparked by a…
Five physicians joined our Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship. Please help us welcome them to the department! Incoming Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellows Duration: 12 Months Jose Estrada, M.D. Jose Estrada, M.D., earned his medical degree at CES University School of Medicine…
Three CA-2 residents scored in the top 10% nationally on the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) BASIC Examination in June. Congratulations to Victor Adepoju, M.D., Dimitri Kampouris, M.D., and Rohan Patel, M.D., on their outstanding performance! The BASIC Examination is the first exam of…
Six physicians joined our Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship, and two anesthesiologists joined our Endoscopic Spine Fellowship. Please help us welcome them to the department! Incoming Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellows…
Janos Geli, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the June 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Geli’s nominations highlight his patience and teaching skills. One nomination said, “Dr. Geli is always willing to go over difficult learning topics with his residents…
New research from the Department of Anesthesiology’s Martynyuk Laboratory was highlighted at the 2025 World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology in Melbourne, Australia, held from June 15-18. Presented by Anatoly Martynyuk, Ph.D., the study explored how exposure to the commonly used anesthetic sevoflurane may influence brain and gut health across generations—findings…
Six anesthesiologists joined our Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship. Please help us welcome them to the department! IncomIng cardiothoracic Fellows Anthony Boateng, M.D. Anthony Boateng, M.D.,…
Casey Taylor, D.O., was chosen by his peers as the June 2025 Resident of the Month! Dr. Taylor’s nominations point out that he helps and motivates other residents. One nomination said, “He not only made us feel confident tackling subspecialty cases but a lot of times ended up…
Please join us in welcoming Elvio Andres Mazzotta, M.D., to the UF Department of Anesthesiology as an assistant professor in the Division of Neuroanesthesiology. Mazzotta earned his medical degree at the National University of Córdoba in Argentina where he also completed an anesthesiology residency at a private hospital.
Two physicians joined our Critical Care Medicine Fellowship and three joined our Critical Care Medicine — Emergency Medicine Fellowship. Please help us in welcoming them to the Department of Anesthesiology! IncomIng Critical Care Medicine Fellows…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in June! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Berkow, Boezaart, Brennan, Fahy, Jones, Martynyuk, Reina, Reynolds, and Vasilopoulos. Anesthesiology Epstein RH, Dexter F, Fahy BG. Inpatient postoperative mortality: comparing patients hospitalized preoperatively to those having elective surgery. Anesthesiology. 2025;143(1):62-70. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000005477…
The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology is excited to welcome new residents to our team! For each academic year, the department interviews and screens many prospective residents that are among the best in the nation. This year we received 1,400 applications and interviewed over 200…
Six of our faculty members were promoted this year, effective July 1, 2025. Congratulations to Meghan Brennan, M.D., Cole Dooley, M.D., Christopher Edwards, M.D., Amanda Frantz, M.D., Sanjeev Kumar, M.D., and Juan Mora, M.D.! Kumar was promoted to clinical professor, while Brennan, Dooley, Edwards, Frantz, and Mora earned…
Svetlana Chembrovich, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the May Faculty Educator of the Month. Dr. Chembrovich’s nominations highlight her care and consideration. Residents remark that she goes above and beyond for her patients: “She’s always very patient and thoughtful with teaching blocks.
Sayoni Saha, M.D., was chosen by her peers as the May Resident of the Month! Dr. Saha’s nominations praise her for being a great leader and team player. Her peers appreciate that they can rely on her in times of need: “I just had a tough Saturday call…
The University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology gathered to celebrate a significant milestone for its graduating residents on Saturday, June 14. The event, which took place at the Champion’s Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, was filled with heartfelt speeches, well-deserved awards, and emotional tributes. In addition to recognizing…
Faculty, residents, fellows, and staff from the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology shared knowledge and research at the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA) Annual Meeting held June 6-8, 2025, at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Florida. Department members presented 14 posters and led 11 sessions…
Twenty-four soon-to-be CA-1 residents participated in this year’s Basic Skills Boot Camp. Faculty, staff, and residents helped prepare them for their first clinical anesthesiology year. The 2025 boot camp was held on the first week of June. One of the main purposes of this week of lectures and…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in May! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Chapin, Dooley, Edwards, Gravenstein, Jimenez Ruiz, Le-Wendling, Martynyuk, Maybauer, Pitkin, Reina, Smith, and Sullivan. Anesthesiology Ju LS, Khan ZA, Gravenstein N, Seubert CN, Setlow B, Martynyuk AE. Intergenerational postoperative…
Mid-April marked the end of the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Transition to Residency course led by Amanda Frantz, M.D., and organized by the UF Department of Anesthesiology. This three-week course is designed to prepare medical students for their next steps as residents and is the capstone…
Emuejevoke “Voke” Chuba, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been elected to represent the College of Medicine in the University of Florida Faculty Senate. Her term begins in the fall of 2025 and runs through the spring of 2028. Chuba was chosen along with six other members of…
Joseph AbuRahma, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, was chosen by our residents as the April Faculty Educator of the Month. Dr. AbuRahma’s nominations highlight his use of small group meetings for teaching and praise him for being an active educator who is also enjoyable to work with in…
David Jablonski, Jr., M.D., was chosen by his peers as April’s resident of the month! Jablonski’s nominations praise him for staying cool under pressure, maintaining a positive attitude, and consistently pushing himself out of his comfort zone to learn and become a better physician. “Each time [he felt…
A new study published in April sheds light on the concerns of anesthesiologists across the United States related to the perioperative management of patients taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, a class of drugs now commonly prescribed for both diabetes and cosmetic weight loss. GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide (marketed…
We are thrilled to announce CA3 resident Anthony Boateng, M.D., and CA2 residents Kellen Creech, D.O., and Abby Schirmer, M.D., were inducted into the UF Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) chapter on May 2. The GHHS chapter at the UF College of Medicine is called the Chapman Society…
Critical care medicine fellow Jenna Littmann, M.D., joined us in July 2024 after completing her anesthesiology residency at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. She spoke to us about her fellowship experience and what is next for her. Q: How has your fellowship been going?…
Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology, has been recognized by the University of Florida Office of Sustainability as a champion for change in 2025. Champions for Change awards are given out each year for efforts in sustainability as well as health and wellness. Berkow was chosen for a…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in April! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Boezaart, Ihnatsenka, Kumar, Lampotang, Maybauer, Peng, Price, Reina, Reynolds, Samouce, and Schutte. ASA Monitor Kazior M, Feldman J, Samouce C, Lampotang S. APSF launches TEI 3 course: Manual External…
