News

Drs. David Metro, Kristin Ondecko Ligda, and Ted Sakai Win ASA/SEA Distinguished Educator Awards
Congratulations to David G. Metro, MD, FASA, Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda, MD, FASA, and Tetsuro Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA, who each received the Distinguished Educator in Anesthesiology award from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Society for…

Allison Lewis Wins CRNA Preceptor of the Year Award
Congratulations to Allison Lewis, MSN, CRNA (UPMC Presbyterian), who received the CRNA Preceptor of the Year Award from the UPMC Advanced Practice Providers Preceptor Academy. The award recognizes Allison for her dedication to the nurse anesthetist profession and for her…

Department Workshop Teaches Cardiac and Lung Ultrasound Skills
We held a Focused Cardiac and Lung Ultrasound Workshop for our department’s faculty at the Herberman Conference Center at UPMC Shadyside on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Kathirvel Subramaniam, MD, MPH, FASE (Course Director); Dennis Phillips, DO; Ezeldeen…

Dr. Aman Mahajan et al. Receive NIH Grant to Develop Technology to Reduce Opioid Use
Principal Investigators Aman Mahajan, MD, PhD, MBA; Gale Lucas, PhD; and Celine Tien received a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for their project “Opioid-sparing pain management for Chronic Low Back Pain patients using TMCCP01 - A Virtual Autonomic Neuromodulation Induced Systemic…
Dr. Raymond Planinsic to Present Two Lectures at KoreAnesthesia 2019
Raymond M. Planinsic, MD, FASA was invited to present two lectures at the 96th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Korean Society of Anesthesiologists (KoreAnesthesia 2019), which will be held Oct. 31 – Nov.…

Dr. Jacques Chelly Presents Pain Lectures
On October 2, Jacques E. Chelly, MD, PhD, MBA presented the lecture “Changing the Culture to Manage Perioperative Pain” to the UPMC Shadyside pain nurses at their Professional Practice and Development Council meeting; he also presented “Use of the Bridge System for the…

Drs. Brad Taylor and Ajay Wasan Receive Grant Funding as Part of NIH HEAL Initiative
Researchers from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh were awarded nine grants, including Dr. Wasan’s and Dr. Taylor’s projects, totaling more than $32 million to improve prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction and to enhance pain management.
Department Members Support Family House Polo Match
L: SRNAs Angela Fatagati, Amanda Beckstead, and Kellie Koshute; Middle and R: Attendees enjoying the tailgate party sponsored by John P. Williams, MD and Valerie Trott WilliamsThe 36th annual Family House Polo Match was held on September 14, 2019 at Hartwood Acres. Event proceeds went to…

Presentation by Dr. Kristin Ondecko Ligda to be Featured in ASA Daily News Blast
Congratulations to Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda, MD, FASA, whose presentation “Where Bits and Bytes Meet Flesh and Blood: The Patient Safety Threat of Medical Cybersecurity” will be included in a digital daily news blast as a featured preview at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019. …

Sizable Department Participation Planned for ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), an educational, research, and scientific association of physicians organized to raise and maintain medical practice standards of anesthesiology and improve patient care, is one of the largest and most influential professional societies in the…

Residents to “Run for the Warriors” Again
Our residents will be competing and fundraising again in the Annual American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA)-sponsored Run for The Warriors® on Sunday, October 20 as part of the ASA 2019 annual meeting in Orlando, FL.
Dr. Keith Vogt Awarded NIH K23 Funding
Congratulations to Keith M. Vogt, MD, PhD, who has received a K23 research award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his project “Anesthetic Modulation of Human Memory During Acute Pain.” NIH K23 awards support the career development of individuals with clinical…

Jan D. Smith MBChB, FRCP, FACP, DTM&H
Dr. Smith was probably the longest serving member of our department.
Brett Fadgen Speaks at Mercy Nursing Career Day
Brett M. Fadgen, MSN, CFRN, CRNA presented and spoke about the nurse anesthetist profession to soon-to-graduate nurses at UPMC Mercy’s School of Nursing Career Day.

Surgicorps Highlights Volunteer Dr. Brian Gierl
Surgicorps, an organization providing free surgical and medical care to people in need around the world, chose Brian Gierl, MD as their “Volunteer of the Month” and spotlighted him in an…