Sara Straesser, MD, has been appointed Chief Anesthesiologist at UPMC Altoona (with oversight at UPMC Bedford) effective April 1, 2025. Dr. Straesser earned her MD at Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her anesthesiology residency and pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at UPMC. She joined our department’s faculty in 2019 and has served as Medical Director of the UPMC Altoona Surgical Center since 2022 and Assistant Site Chief at UPMC Altoona since 2023. She has also served as the Rotation Director for the UPMC Altoona Advanced General Surgical Rotation since 2021.
In her new role as Chief Anesthesiologist at UPMC Altoona, Dr. Straesser will provide leadership and oversight for anesthesiology services at both UPMC Altoona and Bedford, ensuring high-quality perioperative care and operational efficiency. She will be responsible for long-term staffing, scheduling, budget management, and compliance with regulatory standards while fostering collaboration with hospital leadership and surgical teams. Additionally, she will oversee quality assurance, peer review, and faculty development, ensuring adherence to best practices and hospital policies. Dr. Straesser will also play a key role in operating room management, driving efficiency and patient safety while promoting a healthy work culture and maintaining strong communication with all perioperative stakeholders.
We extend our sincere gratitude to David J. Sinopoli, MD, MPH, MBA, for his dedicated and leadership as Chief Anesthesiologist at UPMC Altoona since 2023. During his tenure, Dr. Sinopoli played a key role in enhancing perioperative operations, strengthening collaboration among teams, and fostering a culture of excellence.
Congratulations to Dr. Straesser on her new leadership role. We are confident that her expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence will continue to enhance the high standard of care we provide at UPMC Altoona.