We are pleased to announce that Konstantinos (Stan) Alfaras-Melainis, MD, MSc, has been appointed Assistant Chief of Anesthesiology and Residency Director for UPMC Mercy, effective December 1, 2024.
Dr. Alfaras-Melainis earned his BS in Biology, MSc in Molecular Biology, and MD from the University of Crete, Greece. He completed a surgical research fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida, followed by his by his surgical internship and anesthesiology residency at Case Western Reserve University, where he served as chief resident. In 2019, he joined our department to complete the UPMC Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program, and subsequently joined the clinical anesthesiology team at UPMC Mercy. He was appointed Assistant Professor in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2020.
Dr. Alfaras-Melainis is well-recognized for his contributions to resident education, earning an award for excellence in contributions to resident education in 2021 and our Chair's Excellence Award for Exceptional Service in 2023. Since 2022, he has served as Assistant Program Director of our Anesthesiology Residency Program and has actively participated in various departmental committees. His involvement includes serving as a member of our department’s Resident Education Committee and our Well-Being Committee, as well as a member of UPMC Mercy’s ProfD Subcommittee and Director of Mercy’s Quality Improvement Committee. He conducts research in trauma and burn resuscitation. Dr. Alfaras-Melainis is a Founding Member and Vice President of the Hellenic Biomedical Society of Pittsburgh.
As Assistant Chief of Anesthesiology at UPMC Mercy, Dr. Alfaras-Melainis will oversee anesthesia services hospital-wide, manage the daily operating room schedule, and serve as a clinical liaison. His responsibilities also encompass enhancing operational efficiency, promoting the Anesthesia Care Team model, and advancing patient care quality. His role is instrumental in aligning anesthesiology services with UPMC Mercy’s mission and strategic objectives.
We express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Bryce Bernard, who has admirably served as Operating Room Clinical Director at UPMC Mercy. Dr. Bernard will transition out of his role in December but will remain with us in a casual capacity. His leadership and dedication have been invaluable to our department.
Congratulations to Dr. Alfaras-Melainis on his new role. We wish him continued success as he assumes this vital leadership position at UPMC Mercy.