It is our pleasure to share the news of a distinguished faculty appointment for Senthil Sadhasivam, MD, MPH, MBA, FASA.
The University of Pittsburgh awards endowed chairs and professorships to recognize faculty members who have achieved eminence in their field through outstanding contributions to research, scholarship, and mentorship. These appointments, made by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, reflect both national and international recognition in a given discipline.
Effective March 1, 2025, Dr. Sadhasivam has been appointed as the UPMC Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology Research Excellence within the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
It is important to note that an endowed chair is a prestigious faculty honor. Dr. Sadhasivam will continue in his role as Executive Vice Chair for Clinical Quality, Patient Safety, and Clinical Research in our department.
Dr. Sadhasivam now joins a distinguished group of faculty members in our department who have received similar honors, including:
- Dr. Franklyn Cladis, Health Sciences Endowed Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Dr. Peter Davis, Dr. Joseph H. Marcy Endowed Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Dr. Mark Hudson, UPMC Richard J. Kuwik Endowed Professor of Anesthesiology
- Dr. Yan Xu, Peter Winter Professor of Anesthesiology (endowed professorship named in honor of Peter M. Winter, MD)
Since joining our department in 2021, Dr. Sadhasivam has provided exceptional leadership as Executive Vice Chair for Clinical Quality, Patient Safety, and Clinical Research, significantly advancing our research mission. Under his guidance, our NIH grant submissions have grown substantially, reinforcing our position as a top-ranked anesthesiology department in NIH funding. In addition, he holds key leadership roles at the University of Pittsburgh, including Associate Dean for Perioperative Research in the School of Medicine, Director of Perioperative Research, and Director of the Perioperative Genomics Program.
Dr. Sadhasivam’s clinical expertise spans perioperative pain management and pediatric and adult anesthesiology. His groundbreaking research in opioid pharmacogenetics and personalized pain management has earned international recognition. Currently, he leads multiple NIH-funded studies addressing critical issues such as opioid use disorder in pregnancy and postoperative opioid safety. His ability to mentor and inspire faculty has strengthened our department’s research capabilities and enhanced collaboration across specialties.
Beyond research and clinical practice, Dr. Sadhasivam is a prolific educator and innovator. As founder and Chief Medical Officer of OpalGenix, he has spearheaded efforts to accelerate the translation of opioid pharmacogenetics into clinical care. Additionally, he has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 230 national and international presentations.
Congratulations to Dr. Sadhasivam on this prestigious and well-deserved appointment. His dedication and vision will undoubtedly continue to elevate our department, driving innovation and improving patient outcomes in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.