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A doctor wearing a white coat and gloves examines a young woman in a hospital gown who is sitting on a bed in a medical setting. A clipboard with documents and medical images is on the bed. The room has a window with natural light, a potted plant, and a desk with a bag and papers. The banner at the bottom reads "UPMC Center for Perioperative Care," with a "Health Watch 16" and "WNEP.com" logo, and the time and temperature displayed as 5:24 and 54°F.

HealthWatch Features Dr. Stephen Esper Highlighting CPC Innovations

Stephen A. Esper, MD, MBA, recently spoke with WNEP 16 ABC News to spotlight groundbreaking initiatives by our Center for Perioperative Care, aimed at optimizing patient health before surgery and empowering them to thrive postoperatively.
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“Pathway to Becoming a CRNA” Event Draws Aspiring Nurse Anesthetists for an Afternoon of Insight and Connection

On Saturday, March 22, over 100 attendees gathered at UPMC Shadyside’s Herberman Auditorium for this engaging and educational event designed to support registered nurses interested in advancing their careers towards the field of nurse anesthesia.
Promotional graphic for the 2025 Pediatric Anesthesiology Meetings, Event dates are March 28–30, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. The background features a colorful evening cityscape of Orlando with fountains and reflections on the water. Logos of affiliated organizations appear at the top.

Department Work at 2025 Pediatric Anesthesiology Meetings

Our faculty and trainees will present posters, workshops, and lectures at the 2025 pediatric anesthesiology meetings (SPPM, CCAS, and SPA-AAP) in Orlando, FL, taking place from March 27 - March 30, 2025.
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Faculty Members Achieve Rank Promotions

We are delighted to recognize and congratulate Drs. Qiang Chen, Fatima Zahir, Ryan Ball, Joshua Knight, Siamak Salavatian, and Ryan Romeo, who recently achieved faculty rank promotions.
residents at a Match 2025 ceremony

Top Talent to Join UPMC Anesthesiology Residency Program: 2025 Match Class Announced

We matched 23 top students (18 categorical, three advanced, one Panther Research Scholar, and one combined anesthesiology/pediatrics resident) from the 1,417 candidates who applied to our program.
Promotional graphic for the 2025 IARS/SOCCA/SATA Meetings, held March 20–24, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The background features a scenic view of Waikiki Beach with high-rise buildings and Diamond Head mountain. Logos for the University of Pittsburgh Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, IARS, SOCCA, and SATA are displayed at the top.

Department Highlights: National Presence at 2025 IARS/SOCCA/SATA Meetings

Our department was well represented at the 2025 combined annual meetings of the International Anesthesia Research Society, the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists. and the Society for the Advancement of Transplant Anesthesia on March 20–24 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ajay Wasan

Dr. Ajay Wasan to Receive AAPM Presidential Commendation

This recognition honors Dr. Wasan’s outstanding service and leadership, particularly his impactful contributions as Chair of the AAPM’s Behavioral Medicine Committee. His dedication to advancing the field of pain medicine has left a lasting mark on the organization and the broader pain medicine…
Trent D. Emerick, MD, MBA, FASA

Dr. Trent Emerick Receives AAPM Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Emerick’s will be officially recognized for the award at PainConnect 2025, celebrating his outstanding contributions to the field of pain medicine.
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Propofol/Lyme Disease Study Bridges Anesthesiology and Pediatric Pain Management with Exceptional Work from Trainees

An A&A Practice article bridges the fields of anesthesiology and pediatric chronic pain management by demonstrating how an anesthetic agent traditionally used for sedation and induction can be repurposed for analgesia in complex pain syndromes.
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Dr. Robert Krohner

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of our esteemed former faculty member, Dr. Robert G. Krohner, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
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Community Care in Action: Magee Anesthesia Cares Donates to Red Door

The Magee Anesthesia Cares committee, a compassionate group of CRNAs at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, recently organized a community service initiative to support Red Door, a ministry that provides essential resources to individuals in need in downtown Pittsburgh.
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Northern Connection Magazine Features Passavant Airway Management Training Program

The cover story of the March 2025 issue featured a simulator-based training program for health care professionals to practice a rare surgical emergency airway management procedure for high-risk patients.
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Administrative Staff Spotlight: Deborah Blake

We are pleased to feature Deborah A. Blake, MBA, a dedicated Project Coordinator in the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Office at UPMC Presbyterian/Montefiore.
books on a shelf

March 2025 Publications

Twenty-three publications authored or co-authored by members of our team were published in March 2025.
A decorative image with flasks filled with purple liquid including the words "#6 in NIH funding in 2024 according to Blue Ridge Institute"

Department NIH Ranking Rises to #6 in 2024

Our department earned the #6 spot among all NIH-funded anesthesiology departments in the nation, up from #15 in 2023.