News

Photos from the 2016 Anesthesiology Resident and Fellow Welcome Picnic
A resident/fellow welcome picnic was held at the home of Drs. Howard Gutstein and Jill Schumacher on July 9, 2016. Photos from the party can be viewed online at Google Photos (photos by Dr.…

Dr. Kristin Ondecko Ligda Featured as PAMED Guest Blogger
Congratulations to Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda, MD, who was featured as a guest blogger last month on the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) website.

Drs. Jim Ibinson, A. Murat Kaynar, and Marsha Ritter Jones Awarded UPP Foundation Grants
Congratulations to James W. Ibinson, MD, PhD, A. Murat Kaynar, MD, MPH, and Marsha Ritter Jones, MD, PhD, who were all recently awarded UPP Foundation Grants to conduct the following research projects:
James W. Ibinson, MD, PhD: “Investigating the Link…

Kirsten Radaker Promoted to CRNA Assistant Clinical Director UPMC Mercy
We are pleased to announce that Kirsten Radaker, CRNA, MSN has accepted the position of CRNA Assistant Clinical Director of UPMC Mercy. Kirsten has been a staff CRNA at UPMC Mercy from 2011 to present. She previously worked as a CVICU RN at UPMC Mercy from 1997 through 2009. Kirsten…

Five Department Investigators Receive Seed Grant Funding
Congratulations to the following researchers who received department seed grant funding for the period of August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017.
Phillip Adams, DO (T32 Postdoctoral Scholar): “Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in infants after Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: NIRS and…
CRNAs and SRNAs Participate in Walk for the Homeless
CRNA/SNRA groups from UPMC Presbyterian have participated in the walk for the past six years, providing basic first aid to walkers and sponsors and conducting blood pressure screenings at the event.
Dr. Michael Schnetz Accepted into FAER Resident Scholar Program
Congratulations to Michael Schnetz, MD, PhD, who was accepted into the FAER Resident Scholar Program. The program provides selected anesthesiology residents with the opportunity to attend the annual American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) meeting. Resident scholars…

Dr. Grace Lim Receives NIH K12 Mentored Career Development Award
Congratulations to Grace Lim, MD, who was selected to receive a Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) in Pittsburgh NIH K12 scholar award. This mentored career-development program connects BIRCWH scholars to senior faculty with shared…

American Heart Association Grant Awarded to Dr. Stephen Esper
Congratulations to Stephen A. Esper, MD, MBA, who will receive funding from the American Heart Association for a two year GRA Winter 2016 Mentored Clinical & Population Research Award titled “A Pilot Study in Feasibility and Safety: Point of Care Testing with…

New Video Features Dr. Williams Simmons and Journey to Medicine Program
A new six-minute documentary showcases the Journey to Medicine (JTM) Academic Mentorship Program and a few words from the program’s students and…

Dr. Tomas Drabek to Serve as Co-Investigator on New Research Project
Tomas Drabek, MD, PhD will serve as a Co-investigator on the new project “Dopamine System-focused Neurorehabilitation Model for Improving Neurorecovery among Cardiac Arrest Survivors.” This project is funded by the Laerdal Foundation and led by Dr. Amy Wagner from the…

Department Celebrates the Careers of Drs. Shushma Aggarwal, Evelyn Gonzalez-Abola, Barbara Brandom, Thomas Lace, Charles Buffington, Richard McHugh, Rajani Chuensumran, and Bharati Parikh
Congratulations and thank you to Shushma Aggarwal, MD; Barbara Brandom, MD; Charles Buffington, MD; Rajani Chuensumran, MD; Evelyn Gonzalez-Abola, MD; Thomas Lace, MD; Richard McHugh, MD; and Bharati Parikh, MD, who are all retiring from the department this year.
The…

Dr. Erin Sullivan Appointed Senior Examiner for ABA Part 2 Exam
Congratulations to Erin A. Sullivan, MD, who was recently appointed as a Senior Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Part 2 exam for a four-year term beginning in 2017.

Congratulations to the Residency and Fellowship Graduating Classes of 2016!
Congratulations to the Anesthesiology Residency and Fellowship graduating classes of 2016. More photos from the graduation ceremony can be viewed online.
Graduating ResidentsDouglas Bentley…

Drs. Ben-David, Herlich, Orebaugh, and Quinlan Elected to AUA
Congratulations to Bruce Ben-David, MD; Andrew Herlich, DMD, MD, FAAP; Steven L. Orebaugh, MD; and Joseph J. Quinlan, MD, who were all recently elected to the Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA) as members.
The AUA’s mission is to advance the art & science of…