Mark Bender, M.D., joined us on Aug. 15 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. In this role, Dr. Bender will play a key role in expanding the UF Health Pain…
François Modave, Ph.D., joined us on Aug. 1 as a professor in artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Modave received a Ph.D. in computer science from the ENSEEIHT in Toulouse, France. For the first half of his career, he focused on artificial intelligence and mathematical methods of decision theory and game theory.
Peter Nguyen, M.D., joined us on Aug. 2 as a UF Health physician for the regional anesthesia programs at Halifax Health. He comes to us from C.A.S.E. Medical Group in Sacramento, CA, where he worked as an anesthesiologist for two years. Dr. Nguyen completed his anesthesiology residency with the UF…
Yosaf Zeyed, M.D., M.S., joined us on Aug. 1 as an assistant professor in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia. He joins us from West Virginia University, where he served as assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology since 2018. Dr. Zeyed earned his medical degree from Benghazi University and his…
We are pleased to announce that Amanda Frantz, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been named interim chief of the Division of Critical Care Medicine. In this role, Dr. Frantz will ensure that patients receive high-quality care and serve as a contact point for faculty and staff to…
Congratulations to our four faculty who were promoted effective July 1, 2022! Christopher Giordano, M.D.: promoted to clinical professorOlga “Kiki” Nin, M.D.: promoted to clinical associate professorTerrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D.: promoted to research associate professorYury Zasimovich, M.D.: promoted to clinical associate professor Promotion is a significant professional…
We are pleased to announce that Brandon Lopez, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, has been named medical director for CRNA/CAA services on the academic campus. In this role, Dr. Lopez will enhance communication among the CRNAs/CAAs and other parties such as the department, serve as a liaison and advocate for…
We are saddened to share the news that Robert Roy Kirby, M.D., Colonel, USAF, MC (retired), a professor in the UF Department of Anesthesiology for 21 years, has died. Kirby was a pioneer in developing ventilation concepts and bringing them to patients, as well as a prolific author. He focused…
We are saying farewell this spring to Ilan Keidan, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, as he retires after more than 20 years at UF, including the past 16 on faculty. Keidan completed his anesthesiology residency at UF after earning his medical degree from Sackler School of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University…
Kelly Spaulding, who worked tirelessly to make our residents and fellows feel at home and serve our faculty, retired this March after more than 30 years with the Department of Anesthesiology. Kelly’s unparalleled event-planning skills, knowledge, and good cheer have been vital to the successful operations of the Anesthesiology…
Patrick Millan, M.D., joined us in March as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology in the Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesia. He graduated from our Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship in June 2021 and has worked since at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. Dr. Millan earned his medical degree from Florida State…
Bruce Spiess, M.D., FAHA, a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and world-renowned expert on blood management who has been an ardent proponent of research, retired in early March after six years with the Department of Anesthesiology.
We are excited to announce that Vera Rehberg, administrative specialist II, has been honored with the 2021-22 UF Superior Accomplishment Award for her outstanding contributions to our department and institution. The Superior Accomplishment Awards recognize faculty and staff who have shown efficiency or economy in their work, contributed outstanding and…
Amir Jafari, D.O., joined us on Feb. 7 as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia. He graduated from our Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship in June 2021 and has worked since then as an interventional pain physician at Pain Treatment Center in Ocala. Dr. Jafari earned…
Airway experts As the delta variant caused a surge of patients with COVID-19 to be hospitalized at UF Health this summer, the department’s anesthetists redeployed to help. CRNAs and CAAs put their specialized skills and airway expertise to use on proning and intubation teams and helped provide high-level patient care…
Gevalin Srisooksai, M.D., joined us as an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Division of Neuroanesthesiology on Oct. 24. She completed our Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship this fall after completing her anesthesiology residency with us. She also worked as OPS faculty throughout 2020 and 2021. Dr. Srisooksai earned her medical degree at…
Thousands of anesthesiology professionals from around the world attended the 2021 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting held Oct. 9-12 in San Diego, CA. The meeting is the world’s largest anesthesia-educational event focused on the science and practice of anesthesiology. It allows anesthesiology professionals to…
Congratulations to Ricky McHugh, residency/fellowship coordinator II, who has been honored with the 4th Quarter 2021 Program Coordinator Superstar award from the UF Graduate Medical Education Office! Ricky was nominated by Timothy W. Martin, M.D., M.B.A., FASA, professor of anesthesiology, associate chair for education, and chief of the Division…
Congratulations to Sylvain Doré, Ph.D., FAHA, who was recently honored for his leadership and service as the 2020-21 UF Faculty Senate Chair during a reception organized by UF President Kent Fuchs, Ph.D. Doré received a plaque and gavel in honor of his work throughout his term. Doré also gave…
Second-year resident, Muna Oli, M.D., has been appointed as one of two resident representatives to the University of Florida Graduate Medical Education Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Council. Timothy Martin, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology and Associate Chair for Education, recommended Oli to the council which seeks housestaff perspectives on the…
This month we are saying farewell to Nettie Van Wyen, an administrative assistant II who served the Division of Critical Care Medicine, as she retires after five years with the department. Nettie joined us in November 2016 after 10 years at UF. She first joined UF as an assistant to…
We are excited to have three accomplished doctors joining us. Welcome to the department! Robin Bergbauer, M.D., joined us on Sept. 13 as an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. She joins us from HCA Healthcare in New Port Richey, Florida, where she worked as a cardiovascular anesthesiologist.
Isaac Luria, M.D., joined us as an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Division of Acute Pain Medicine in September 2021. He completed a yearlong fellowship in our Division of Acute Pain Medicine this summer after completing his anesthesiology residency with us. Luria earned his medical degree at UF, as…
Congratulations to Kelly Spaulding, program assistant in the Education Office, who was honored in August for 30 years of service to the University of Florida! Kelly received a plaque from Kent Fuchs, Ph.D., UF president, at a staff appreciation reception held Aug. 10 at the Earl and Christy Powell University…
Congratulations to third-year resident Andrew Neff, D.O., and second-year resident Alicia McLeod, M.D., who have been elected to serve as the anesthesiology representatives on the 2021-22 University of Florida College of Medicine Housestaff Council! Neff will serve as hospital relations chair as part of the council’s…
Nicholas Hosford, M.H.A., joined us as Practice Manager, Pain Medicine UF Health Springhill, on Monday, July 26. Nicholas has worked for the Department of Orthopaedics at UF Health since 2016, most recently as business office supervisor. He has held prior positions with Dermatology Associates and as relief manager for Ronald McDonald…
Welcome to the department! Jonathan “Nicky” Cates, M.D., joined us on July 1 as an assistant professor in the Division of Critical Care Medicine after completing his Critical Care Medicine fellowship with us. Cates earned his medical degree from the University of South Carolina and completed his residency…
Congratulations to Sanjeev Kumar, MD, Sonia Mehta, MD, and Richa Wardhan, MD, who have been promoted to Associate Professor, effective July 1, 2021! Promotion is a significant professional achievement, representing the culmination of years of dedicated work. All three have made outstanding contributions to our university, our…
Our Pain Medicine Faculty, Fellows, and their families celebrating graduating at Lake Wauburg. The 2021 graduates of our fellowship programs celebrated the milestone in small groups at various locations in recent weeks. We are extremely proud of each of our graduates for their hard work and dedication to…
Congratulations to fourth-year resident, David Hutchinson, M.D., and recent graduate Milu Thakkar, M.D., who were inducted into UF’s Resident Chapter of the national Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). Hutchinson and Thakkar were nominated by their peers for induction into the organization, which comprises medical students, residents, faculty, and other…
Congratulations to Albert R. Robinson III, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, on completion of his term as 2020-2021 president of the UF College of Medicine Faculty Council! He will now serve as past president for one year and received a plaque in recognition of his outstanding leadership and…
We are excited to announce that Samsun (Sem) Lampotang, Ph.D., FSSH, FAIMBE, has received the prestigious 2022 J.S. Gravenstein Award from the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA). The award is named for Joachim S. “Nik” Gravenstein, M.D. (1925-2009), Lampotang’s mentor and a driving force in advancing…
Rishab Chimmanamada, M.H.A., joined us on May 28 as the Manager of Health Care Administration at Central Florida Health. Rishab earned his Master of Health Administration degree from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in May 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from…
The UF Department of Anesthesiology is joining healthcare providers nationwide in recognizing the unique skills of Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) during National CAA Week. As members of our anesthesia team, CAAs help provide each patient with the safest model of care. Our CAAs are dedicated, highly educated, and extensively trained…
In the past three years, the Anesthesiology Wellness Program has grown substantially, adding eight thriving interest groups on topics ranging from cooking to meditation and increasing participation in all areas of the department by hosting speakers and events. The wellness program’s mission is to encourage physical activity and mental…
Congratulations to anesthesiology intern Blessing Ogbemudia, M.D., who has been honored with the LEAD Resident Award presented by UF Health Shands Hospital nursing staff for his outstanding performance in promoting high-quality patient care. The award recognizes a resident who has gone above and beyond professionally and in their patient…
Each year, National Nurses Week beings on National Nurses Day, May 6, and ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. Registered nurses in the United States constitute our nation’s largest health care profession and are an indispensable component of the safety and quality of care of hospitalized patients. We want…
F. Kayser Enneking, M.D., has been honored with the 2021 Gaston Labat Award from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. She delivered a lecture at the 46th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting on May 15 as part of the Excellence in ASRA…
Please help us congratulate our Residents of the Month! February Resident of the Month: Aaron Hanson, M.D. Dr. Hanson has consistently worked hard, willingly changed his schedule for the benefit of his colleagues, stepped up in multiple difficult cases to assist the attending, and served as a patient advocate. Special Recognition:…
Congratulations to Carley Hume, administrative assistant II, for being selected as the winner of the fifth annual Rebecca Y. Lovely Outstanding Service Award! Carley joined our department in early 2020 and has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, efficiency, and enthusiasm in her role in the Chair’s Office. Nominators noted that…
We are proud to announce that third-year resident Dave Hutchinson, MD, has been honored with the 2020 Outstanding Resident Educator Award. This award is presented by the University of Florida’s Society of Teaching Scholars to one individual from each department. The award is intended to honor a resident who…
Tammy Bleeker, M.Ed., joined us on April 5, 2021, as Assistant Director for Education and Training Programs. In this position, Tammy will oversee the operations of the Education Office. Tammy comes to us from the Department of Pediatrics in the UF College of Medicine, where she has worked for the…
The UF Department of Anesthesiology is joining the healthcare community nationwide in honoring the extraordinary physicians who have dedicated their careers to caring for others. National Doctors Day provides an opportunity to thank the physicians who provide the highest quality patient care and to recognize their sacrifices. Doctors work long…
After a nearly 31-year career serving our department in numerous capacities ranging from helping to manage the Critical Care Medicine division and their fellows to assisting faculty, Poppy Meehan officially retired at the end of February. Poppy began her career at the University of Florida in 1990 as an…
We are excited to announce that two staff members – Kathy Parrish, MBA, and Christina Hendricks, MA – have been awarded 2020–2021 UF Superior Accomplishment Awards for their outstanding contributions to our department and institution during an especially challenging year. The Superior Accomplishment Awards recognize faculty and staff who have shown efficiency or economy…
This month we are saying farewell to Robert “Butch” Loeb, MD, an exemplary clinician who is retiring after four years with our department. Dr. Loeb joined the Department of Anesthesiology in March 2017 as a Professor of Anesthesiology in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesiology. He started his academic career at…
A big welcome to Kimberly Sibille, PhD, MA, as a Joint Associate Professor with the Division of Pain Medicine, and Brent Carr, MD, as Joint Assistant Professor. Dr. Sibille is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Aging & Geriatric Research as well as Affiliate Faculty in the…
Eleven of our faculty have been awarded the Exemplary Teacher Award for 2020! 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, graduate students, and post-docs, as well as mentorship…
Congratulations to Professor Brenda G. Fahy, MD, MCCM, who has received a Spring 2021 Faculty Enhancement Opportunity (FEO) award to complete a university-based Sherpa Executive Coaching Program to further her leadership and mentoring skills. Dr. Fahy received $4,666 in FEO funding to attend the fully immersive program, which…
This month, we said farewell to longtime Professor of Anesthesiology Avner Sidi, MD, who retired after 35 years with the department. Dr. Sidi was a prolific author whose work on simulation, transplantation anesthesia, and other basic science concepts positively impacted the next generation of physicians and our field. He will…
This month, we are saying farewell to Ramachandran Ramani, MBBS, MD, a Professor of Anesthesiology in the Division of Neuroanesthesia and an internationally known expert on functional MRI, who has retired after five years with our department. Dr. Ramani joined us in January 2016 from Yale University School of Medicine.
Please join us in congratulating Bryan Ray, MD, and Maggie Green, CAA! Residents and anesthetists are nominated by residents and faculty for their hard work, motivation, and for going above and beyond in their duties. Dr. Ray was chosen as November resident of the month for his endurance and…
Pablo Pizarro Rosario, MD, joined us on Aug. 17, 2020, as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology in the Division of Critical Care Medicine. He has more than 30 years of military service and joins us from the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, where he has served as a staff…
Revered Professor Nikolaus Gravenstein, MD, has been selected for the 2020 University of Florida College of Medicine Faculty Council Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his more than three decades of contributions to our department, specialty, and institution. The award recognizes the most outstanding members of…
Dr. Boezaart brought passion, learning, and innovation, as well as his very special presence, and he will be missed. We would like to thank him for all of his efforts to make UF a better place.
On January 22, 2018, administrative staff of the Department of Anesthesiology received an email. The subject: “Wellness Team – Volunteers Needed.” That email was the first in a chain of events leading to the foundation of what is now a thriving department-wide Wellness Program. In response to feedback from staff…
Brenda Fahy, MD, remembers exactly where she was when she received one of the most important phone calls of her life. “I was standing on the beach,” she said. “I don’t remember exactly what was said after I was informed I’d be the next president…
By Susan Ford, RN My first recollection of anything medical was at about age 3–5 when my mother actually worked as a nurse’s aide at J. Hillis Miller Health Science Center (now UF Health Shands). Mom would come home and tell me stories about “grand rounds” and I could say…
By Alberto Bursian, MD When I first began my residency in July 2016, my only goal was to make sure I did no harm. In July 2017, when I was first unpaired, the reality of that goal became very real. Political advocacy was not a thought in my…
By Megan Koenig As a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Department of Anesthesiology, I have had the opportunity to understand clinical care and to play a role in the discovery of innovative techniques. My involvement began over three years ago as a Research Assistant while I was an undergraduate…
We pass each other in the hall, we exchange emails, we chat in the break room, but how well do we really know our colleagues? Five randomly selected members of our department discuss their homes, their jobs, and their hobbies. Want to be featured? Let us know! Advanced Practice…
By Lauren Berkow, MD, UF Sustainability Committee Did you know that April was Earth Month? In our practice as anesthesiologists, what we do every day can directly impact the environmental footprint of our hospital. The inhalational anesthetic gases we deliver to our patients are greenhouse gases. The exhaled…
By Shirley Graves, MD, DSc(Hon) Where does the time go? What changes as time moves on? You turn around and it’s tomorrow. Turn around, turn around, and it’s another year. Yes, the world we live in changes each day, each week, and each year. Certainly, many aspects…
