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 with a…
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 Academic…
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 Support in Circulatory…
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 of medical…
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, for…
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, and now…
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 administration, leads…
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 provided an…
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, which…
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 both work…
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 Use of Artificial…
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 as a…
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 acting as…
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 also…
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 room,…
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. He joined…
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 to make…
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 the…
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, Bilgili A, Brinkley…
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 Educational…
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 IHAF encourages…
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 clinical…
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 advanced…
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.” Another resident…
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 Health,…
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 asked of…
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 members.
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 J.
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, and completed…
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. Modell, M.D.,…
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 study,…
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…
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 the ABA board…
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 and always…
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 that…
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., earned his medical…
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 staying later…
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. After this…
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 Biology Khan…
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 candidates for…
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 the clinical…
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. Genuinely cares…
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 with Dr.
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 each…
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 or workshops…
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 workshops was…
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 neurocognitive disorder…
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 to…
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 the…
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 the OR.
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 beyond his…
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 as…
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 and is…
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? A: It has…
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 Sustainability…
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 Defibrillation, Cardioversion,…
The 2025 Gulf Atlantic Anesthesia Residents’ Research Conference (GAARRC) was hosted by the University of Florida (UF) from May 2-4 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. UF Department of Anesthesiology faculty Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology, and Tim Feldheim, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology and assistant program director of…
Timothy W. Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, FAAP, professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics and associate chair for education, has been appointed by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) as an item writer for the Health Care Administration, Leadership, and Management (HALM) examination. As an item writer, Martin will help the…
A recent research study has evaluated the use of biplane ultrasound imaging for intravenous (IV) catheter placement, examining whether this enhanced approach offers advantages over traditional single-plane methods. Research conducted by Department of Anesthesiology colleagues Ge Qu, M.D., Amanda Frantz, M.D., Cynthia Garvan, Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., and Joshua Sappenfield,…
David Hutchinson, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology and assistant program director of Didactics & Resident Education, was chosen by our residents as the March 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month. Resident nominations highlight Hutchinson’s impressive memory and knowledge and his dedication to helping residents develop. He was commended for his…
Jennifer Barghout, CPRP, was recognized with the 2025 Rebecca Y. Lovely Outstanding Service Award! Barghout is an administrative specialist II and serves as the faculty recruitment coordinator for the department. Her nominations praised her for her outstanding work ethic, communication skills, and innovative ideas. One read: “She lives the values…
Xiao Yang, M.D., was chosen by her peers as the March Resident of the Month! Yang’s nominations praise her for being extremely proactive and an incredible team player who goes above and beyond. She was specifically called out for her initiative on her mole rotation and was called a joy…
CA-2 resident Abby Schirmer, M.D., was selected by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) to participate in the Anesthesiology Policy Research Rotation in Political Affairs, also known as the Resident Scholar program. Schirmer is one of six outstanding anesthesiology residents chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool. Participants were chosen…
As we get closer to graduation, we want to take a moment to spotlight one of our CA3 residents: Vanessa Metellus, M.D. Metellus joined us as a CA1 in 2022. She received her medical degree from our own UF College of Medicine. After she graduates in June, Metellus will work…
Georgeanna “Georgie” Tsoumas, D.O., has been recognized by the UF Society of Teaching Scholars as the 2025 Outstanding Resident Educator of the Year for the Department of Anesthesiology. This award is given each year to one resident from every department. Tsoumas is in her final year of residency and…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in March! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Brennan, Fahy, Garvan, Gravenstein, Lampotang, Maybauer, Mehta, Peng, Price, Samouce, Spiess, Reina, Tighe, and Vasilopoulos. Anesthesia and Analgesia Price CC, Burt JS, Amini S, Arias F, Mohamed B, Seubert CN, Garvan C.
The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) brought its expertise to the University of Florida (UF) Health with an on-site Extracorporeal Life Support Education & Training workshop in March. The simulation course was tailored for health care workers who already have a strong foundational knowledge of Extracorporeal…
University of Florida student Itamar Gal was selected as a College of Medicine University Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year. He is currently a second-year undergraduate student and plans to apply to medical school. Gal is interested in neuroscience and the relationship between anesthetic and cognitive function. This interest led…
The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) in collaboration with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has launched a new online, guided-simulation course developed by a team of clinicians and our department’s Center for Safety, Simulation & Advanced Learning Technologies (CSSALT). The course is titled Manual External Defibrillation, Cardioversion, and Pacing (MEDCP). It was released…
We are thrilled to announce the results of the 2025 NRMP Match! The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology successfully matched with 20 interns (4-year residents), five CA-1s (3-year residents), and one “advanced commitment” physician who will begin training with us as a CA-1 in July 2026. Six of…
Spencer Moreland, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Division of Critical Care Medicine, was chosen by our residents as the February 2025 Faculty Educator of the Month. Resident nominations highlighted Moreland’s skill at educating while managing very sick patients in the ICU. They also noted his positive attitude, compassion…
Kraymer Eppich, M.D., was chosen by his peers as the February Resident of the Month! Eppich’s nominations praise him for his great attitude. They said that he went above and beyond, helping the team tirelessly and consistently. Eppich was also called out for a particular patient encounter in which he…
Congratulations to all who had articles published in February! Our faculty with publications were Drs. Bose, Brennan, Fahy, Frantz, Garvan, Giordano, Gravenstein, Jones, Martin, Martynyuk, Peng, Sappenfield, Schutte, Tighe, Tsuda, Vasilopoulos, Wardhan, and Wenzel. Anesthesia and Analgesia Chan KH, Brennan M, Wardhan R, Tighe P, Ison R, Giordano C, Sappenfield…
In 2025, four members of the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology received UF Superior Accomplishment Awards. Brandon Peckham, MHA, and Charmaine Turkdogan, ARNP, were recognized for their sustained excellence in divisions 5 and 2, respectively. Jennifer Barghout won for her outstanding individual performance, and Erik Neuman took home the…
The University of Florida Quality and Patient Safety initiative, or QPSi, has launched new continuing medical education (CME) courses, designed to empower healthcare professionals, educators, and trainees with innovative resources to enhance patient safety and quality of care. Professors of anesthesiology Lauren…
Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., the Jerome H. Modell, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology, was recognized for his outstanding research mentorship with the Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award. This award is given each year by the University of Florida College of Medicine to a faculty member at least 10 years into…
The University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology is proud to announce the selection of Kyle Chan, M.D., Kellen Creech, D.O., and Allyson Tragesser, M.D., as our anesthesiology chief residents for the 2025-2026 academic year. This talented trio will work collaboratively as the chief resident team, dedicated to serving their…
The University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine hosted the 15th annual Celebration of Research February 24 and 25. The 2-day event culminated in a poster session and reception at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. It featured poster presentations from faculty, students, and trainees from all over the college including…
The 2025 UF Department of Anesthesiology Celebration of Research was held on February 19 at the UF Health Heart & Vascular and Neuromedicine Hospitals. Thirty-three poster abstracts were presented by faculty, fellows, residents, students, and staff that illustrated the broad range of scientific research being undertaken across the department. Faculty…
Ryan Parker, M.D., Ph.D., was chosen by our residents as the Faculty Educator of the Month! Parker was chosen as an exceptional teacher and role model. His nominations emphasize how he finds time to teach even on the hectic Mole schedule and actively facilitates regular growth and development in…
Timothy W. Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, associate chair for education, chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, and professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics, was recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Reviewer for the Journal of Graduate Medical Education (JGME). “High-quality peer review is a vital component of academic scholarship,” said Gail…
Certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAA) are crucial members of the anesthesia care team at the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology. As part of CAA week, we’re highlighting the crucial role that these medical professionals play throughout the perioperative process. What is a certified anesthesiologist assistant? Certified anesthesiologist assistants…
Congratulations to Alisha Shah, M.D., who was chosen by her colleagues as the January Resident of the Month! Dr. Shah’s nominations praise her for being an exceptional Mole Team leader and for her mentorship and support of her teammates. As Mole Team leader, Dr. Shah’s peers said that she “flawlessly…
For four weeks at the beginning of each calendar year, first-year residents in the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology participate in Intern Education Month. This rotation is filled with lectures, simulations, test prep, and shadowing. The month leads up to the In-Training Exam (ITE) that all anesthesiology residents take…
The University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology was honored to welcome George A. Mashour, M.D., Ph.D., professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology at the University of Michigan, as speaker at the 2025 Jerome H. Modell, M.D., – Dinesh O. Shah, Ph.D., Annual Lecture in Anesthesiology. Mashour’s fascinating talk, titled “Psychedelic Reversal…
Congratulations to everybody who was published in January! Published faculty were Doctors Boezaart, Bose, Chapin, Croft, Garvan, Haas, Howell, Jones, Luria, Maybauer, Millan, Reina, and Tighe. Anesthesia and Analgesia Howell K, Tighe P, Price CC, Garvan C. In response. Anesth Analg. 2025 Feb 1;140(2):e10-e11. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007333.
Congratulations to Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and orthopaedic surgery & sports medicine, on completing the Medical Education Research Certificate (MERC) Program through the Association of American Medical Colleges! Vasilopoulos, who is also chief of the Division of Education Research and Scholarship for the Department of Anesthesiology, was…
Managing a difficult airway is a critical aspect of patient care, particularly in individuals with cancer, whose unique anatomical and physiological features can pose challenges for ventilation and intubation. Current Oncology Reports recently published a review by UF Department of Anesthesiology colleagues Timothy Feldheim, M.D., John Santiago, M.D., and…
In December and January, CA-1 residents in the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology took time out of their busy schedules to participate in a multi-institutional study funded by the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) to determine the best way to teach anesthesiology residents how to…
Congratulations to Julie-Ann Thompson, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia, who has been chosen by our residents as the December Faculty Educator of the Month! Her nominations praised her for fostering a supportive and inspiring learning environment, providing valuable guidance and support to residents, and always being…
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) are vital members of the anesthesia care team in the University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology, providing support throughout the perioperative process. As part of CRNA week, we’re taking a look at these dedicated healthcare workers and their role in the operating room…
Zeerak Khan, M.D., has been chosen by his colleagues as the Department of Anesthesiology’s December Resident of the Month! Khan’s nominations praise him for being an exceptional clinician who consistently exceeds expectations, is dependable and skilled in handling all cases, and brings positive energy that brightens the team’s day. He…
The UF Department of Anesthesiology’s M500 consulting group is a robust healthcare administration internship and fellowship program that supports the department’s perioperative analytics team and provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about the intricacies of healthcare administration in a real-world setting. A long-running, data-driven internship The program,…
Please join us in welcoming Tyler Fong, M.D., who has joined us as an assistant professor in the Division of Acute Pain Medicine. Fong earned his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada and completed his anesthesiology residency at Rutgers Health in Livingston NJ, where he…
Congratulations to everybody who was published in December! Published faculty were Doctors Garvan, Jafari, Kumar, Martin, Meroney, Reina, Reynolds, Seubert, Sibille, and Vasilopoulos. Anesthesia and Analgesia Martin TW, Steele EA. Substance-use disorders in young patients-much more than preop questions and potential for drug interactions. Anesth Analg. 2024 Dec 1;139(6):1240-1243.
Congratulations to Timothy W. Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, on being appointed as a joint professor with the Department of Pediatrics! Martin is a professor of anesthesiology, associate chair for education, and chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology. He serves on the University of Florida’s College of Medicine Graduate…
Congratulations to associate professor of anesthesiology Andrew Pitkin, MBBS, MRCP, FRCA, on being named our Faculty Educator of the Month for November! Dr. Pitkin’s nominations praised him for encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and providing valuable insights into real-world medical practice. Our residents also noted the positive…
Congratulations to Ashlyn Mason, M.D., who has been selected as our November Resident of the Month! Dr. Mason’s colleagues praise her for being a kind and caring physician who is steadfast and calm even in difficult situations. Her nominations emphasize that she is a fantastic team member who can…
Laurie K. Davies, M.D., recently spoke with us about her career with the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology. She is a professor of anesthesiology, a joint professor of surgery, an affiliate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and medical director of UF Health Shands Hospital’s operating rooms. Q: You completed…
Look back with us on all our accomplishments in 2024 in The Anest Report, our annual newsletter.
Congratulations to everybody who was published in November! Published faculty were Doctors Brennan, Edwards, Feldheim, Jones, Kumar, Lampotang, Meroney, Price, Spiess, and Vasilopoulos. Brain Injury Murphy TW, Cueto RJ, Zhu J, Milling J, Sauter J, Oli M, Griffin IT, Midathala G, Tyndall JA, Spiess B, Wang KKW, Kobeissy FH, Becker…
Stacia Andrews, M.D., earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. She is now in her final year of our anesthesiology residency program. We asked Dr. Andrews about her experience in our residency program and…
Members of the UF Department of Anesthesiology Division of Pain Medicine, including some of our Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine fellows, traveled to the 23rd Annual Pain Medicine Meeting hosted by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine in November. Fellow Aaran Varatharajan, M.D., was honored with a Resident/Fellow…
Timothy W. Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA, associate chair for education, chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, and professor of anesthesiology, has been reelected to serve on the council of the Association of Anesthesiology Core Program Directors (AACPD) as well as on the board of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council…
Congratulations to associate professor of anesthesiology Jeffrey White, M.D., who has been chosen by our residents as the October Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. White was chosen due to his deep commitment to teaching and his wealth of medical knowledge. His nominations applaud him for creating a positive…
Congratulations to Andrew Burchak, M.D., who has been chosen by his colleagues as our Resident of the Month! Dr. Burchak’s nominations praise him for being an excellent team player who is easy to work with and who consistently strives to learn and improve. They also speak to his strong…
Registration has officially opened for the 2025 Spring Anesthesia Ski Summit! The annual summit, which will take place in Vail, CO from March 3-7, is a combined ski and learn meeting. The conference features CME lectures in the morning and evening, giving attendees a chance to hit the ski…
Congratulations to each of the 14 Department of Anesthesiology faculty who received 2024 Exemplary Teacher Awards! Eligible faculty are nominated from each department and participate in a college-wide competition. Faculty are selected based on the excellence of their teaching of medical students, residents and fellows, physician assistant students, graduate…
Kyle Chan, M.D., went to the University of California – Berkeley for undergrad and earned his medical degree here at the University of Florida. He’s currently a third-year resident in the Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Chan was kind enough to answer some of our questions about his experiences so far…
Congratulations to everybody who was published in October! Published faculty were Doctors Gravenstein, Haas, Kumar, Maybauer, Reynolds, Robicsek, Spiess, and Vasilopoulos. Anesthesia and Analgesia Spiess BD, Hamdorf JM, Gross I. An ironclad case for patient blood management: iron is more than hemoglobin. Anesth Analg. 2024 Nov 1;139(5):965-968. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007082.
In October, UF Health Shands was honored by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) with the Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support. This award recognizes institutions that reach the highest level of performance, innovation, and quality in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in its pediatric…
The first week in November is Patient Blood Management Awareness Week. Patient blood management (PBM) is focused on techniques that decrease blood loss during procedures and prevent anemia. Thorsten Haas, M.D., professor of anesthesiology and director of PBM, was awarded last year’s W. Martin Smith Interdisciplinary Patient…
Congratulations to Benjamin Chapin, M.D., on being named co-chair of the American Delirium Society (ADS) Research Committee. Chapin, a cognitive-behavioral neurologist, joined the department as an assistant professor in 2023. As part of the University of Florida’s Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network (PeCAN), he works with patients who have…
Congratulations to Meera Ramsooksingh, M.D., M.S., who has been chosen by our residents as the September Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Ramsooksingh is an assistant professor in the Divisions of Neuroanesthesiology and Vascular Anesthesia. See some quotes from her nominations below. “Dr. Ramsooksingh is a very skilled physician; she…
Congratulations to Tim Martin, M.D., MBA, professor of anesthesiology, associate chair for education, and chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, on his invited presentation at the First International Conference on Pediatrics and Pediatric Dentistry in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. Martin gave a lecture on common post-anesthesia complications in children, titled “Identification…
The Department of Anesthesiology was well represented at this year’s annual American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) conference, with faculty, residents, and fellows presenting more than 15 posters and participating in many panels, workshops, committees, and discussions. The conference, which was held this year in Philadelphia, PA from 10/18-10/22, is an…
Congratulations to Linda Lange, D.O., who has been selected by her colleagues as our September Resident of the Month! Read on for some quotes from her nominations. Lange always goes above and beyond to help her co-residents and takes on challenging clinical situations with a positive attitude. She was…
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 interim associate chair of research for the UF Department of Anesthesiology. Dr. Przkora advocates for a collaborative…
Accolades are due to Marc Maybauer, M.D., Ph.D, professor of anesthesiology, who has co-authored an impressive 22 articles published in 2024. As a highlight, a recent review article by Dr. Maybauer and colleagues was honored by ASAIO Journal as an “Editor’s Pick” online, and he was highlighted in a…
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…
Congratulations to Tatsiana Kryvitskaya, M.D., one of the department’s cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellows, on successfully completing the Diagnostic POCUS Certificate from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). The Diagnostic POCUS Certificate program is focused on developing skills in diagnostic ultrasound of organ systems identified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and…
Charlie Kim, M.D., joined the department as a UF Health physician and medical director at the Ocala Neighborhood Hospital in our Regional Programs Network. He comes to us from TidalHealth in Maryland where he was a staff anesthesiologist and the medical director of ambulatory centers. Prior to TidalHealth, Kim was…
Congratulations to everybody who was published in September! Published faculty were Doctors Berkow, Boezaart, Fahy, Feldheim, Haas, Kumar, Maybauer, Meroney, Reina, Santiago, and Vasilopoulos. Artificial Organs Stukov Y, Rackauskas M, Saha B, Gries C, Weir W, Emtiazjoo A, Maybauer MO. Extended perioperative use of the ProtekDuo cannula for drainage…
Asad Bashir, M.D., FAAP, and Kenneth John, M.D., joined the UF Department of Anesthesiology as assistant professors in September. Bashir joined the Division of Liver & Transplant Anesthesiology and John joined the Division of Critical Care Medicine. Bashir received his medical degree from Shifa College of Medicine in Islamabad,…
Please join us in congratulating Federico Jimenez Ruiz, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Divisions of Pediatric Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine, who was chosen by our residents as August’s Faculty Educator of the Month! See some highlights from his nominations below. “Dr. Jimenez Ruiz was an absolute pleasure…
Congratulations to Dylan Schoo, M.D., who has been named our August Resident of the Month! Read on to see some of this excellent physician’s nominations. “Dr. Schoo always steps up to the plate; he is a great colleague and friend.” “Dr. Schoo came in absolute clutch while on mole. He…
A new study co-authored by UF Department of Anesthesiology resident Wendy Guo, M.D., and faculty members Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology & sports medicine, and Brenda Fahy, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, was recently published by the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia (online ahead of print). Their article, “…
Please join us in welcoming two new faculty members who have recently joined the Department of Anesthesiology. Emuejevoke “Voke” Chuba, M.S., M.D., joins the Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Cardiothoracic Anesthesia as an assistant professor and Spencer Moreland, M.D., joins the Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Liver &…
Congratulations to everybody who was published in August! Published faculty were Doctors Berkow, Davies, Frantz, Maybauer, Przkora, Reina, Smith, Spiess, Tighe, and Vasilopoulos. ACS Sensors Yan H, Tian Z, Ziegenbein E, Liu Y, Santana A, Veige AS, Spiess B, Tan W, Zeng Y. Heparin-bead extraction enhanced fluorogenic aptamer-thrombin composite…
September is Women in Medicine month, and this is a great time to recognize and honor the trailblazing women who have shaped the practice of medicine. The remarkable women in the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology have dedicated their careers to providing exceptional care and advancing the field. In…
Congratulations to Svetlana Chembrovich, M.D.; Everett Jones, M.D.; Timothy Feldheim, M.D.; Amir Jafari, D.O.; Matthew Meroney, M.D.; and Federico Jimenez Ruiz, M.D. for their selections as 2024 recipients of education awards from the I. Heermann Anesthesia Foundation (IHAF). IHAF Education Awards encourage and support scholarly pursuits designed to enhance…
The Department of Anesthesiology’s 2024 paired period team has successfully piloted a new model for the important work of helping anesthesiology interns transition into the operating room. The paired period is an essential way that the department provides mentorship, guidance, and support to interns during a challenging period of…
Congratulations to Tim Feldheim, M.D., and David Hutchinson, M.D., who have each been named assistant program directors in the department’s anesthesiology residency program. Feldheim, assistant professor in the Divisions of Pain Medicine, Multispecialty Anesthesia, and Vascular Anesthesia, has been named assistant program director of Resident Wellbeing. “It’s a huge…
Dr. John Heinbockel, assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been designated a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (FASA). The ASA recognizes its fellows as those anesthesiologists who have demonstrated their contributions and commitment to patient care, education, and the future of the specialty. It is the highest designation…
Congratulations to Laurie Davies, M.D., who has been named the July Faculty Educator of the Month by our residents! Dr. Davies is a professor of anesthesiology in the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology, holds a joint appointment as a professor of surgery, and is the medical director of…
Alberto Bursian, M.D., joined us in August as a UF Health physician in chronic pain medicine for the regional anesthesia program at UF Health Pain Medicine – Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Bursian received his medical degree and completed his anesthesiology residency here at the University of Florida.
Congratulations to Kellen Creech, D.O., for being selected the new co-chair of the Housestaff Quality and Patient Safety Committee (HQPSC)! Congratulations also to Dawei Guan, M.D., and Kendal Jenkins, M.D., for being selected as first-year members of the committee. All were selected based on their motivation to move quality care…
Congratulations to Kellen Creech, D.O., who has been named our July Resident of the Month by his colleagues! Read on for some nomination quotes about this fantastic physician. “Kellen is a great co-resident, a calming presence on any call team, and is very organized in his clinical management. He’s always…
The sixth annual Multidisciplinary Critical Care Medicine Boot Camp was held in early August. Eighteen fellows from the Departments of Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Neurology, and Surgery, along with thirteen anesthesiology residents as part of Resident Academic Days, came together to learn the ins and outs of critical care medicine at…
We’re pleased to welcome two new faculty members to the Department of Anesthesiology. Kevin Priddy, M.D., and Andrey Suprun, M.D., both joined the Division of Acute Pain Medicine as assistant professors on August 5, and have both recently completed our Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM) Fellowship Program. Dr.
Congratulations to everybody who was published in July! Published faculty were Doctors Boezaart, Fahy, Garvan, Giordano, Gravenstein, Howell, Martynyuk, Maybauer, Millan, Modave, Morey, Nin, Price, Rawal, Reina, Seubert, Soberon, Spiess, Tighe, Vasilopoulos, and Zhang. Anesthesia and Analgesia Howell K, Garvan C, Amini S, Kamyszek RW, Tighe P, Price CC, Spiess…
Congratulations to third-year resident Allyson Tragesser, M.D., for her outstanding performance in June’s American Board of Anesthesiology BASIC Exam! Dr. Tragesser, who was the recipient of the 2022 J.S. Gravenstein Award, scored in the top 10% of all residents who took the exam nationwide. This excellent result is…
We’re excited to welcome three new faculty to the Department of Anesthesiology, all of whom joined us last week as assistant professors. Erika Taco Vasquez, M.D., joins us in the Division of Acute Pain Medicine, Julie-Ann Thompson, M.D., joins us in the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia, and Bharath Vasudevan, MBBS,…
Several Department of Anesthesiology colleagues have recently published a research paper in the Journal of Clinical Medicine titled “Dosing Cefazolin for Surgical Site Infection Prophylaxis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: Intermittent Bolus or Continuous Infusion?—A Pilot Study” (available online ahead of print). Their study examined the efficacy of different cefazolin…
Two physicians join our Critical Care Medicine Fellowship and two join our Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship. Please join us in welcoming them to the Department of Anesthesiology! Incomng Critical Care Medicine Fellows…
Please join us in congratulating Laurie Davies, M.D., and Albert Robinson, III, M.D., who have both been promoted to the rank of clinical professor. Promotion in the Department of Anesthesiology represents consistent hard work, dedication, and commitment to the goals of our institution. We’re grateful to Dr. Davies and Dr.
Congratulations to Dustin Hegland, M.D., who was named by our residents as the June Faculty Educator of the Month! Dr. Hegland is a physician at Malcom Randall Veteran Affairs Medical Center and is a courtesy clinical assistant professor with our department. Read on for some of the highlights from his…
