Congratulations to our 2019 Graduating Class!

Congratulations to our residents and fellows who have graduated as specialists in anesthesiology!

Thanks to all faculty, staff, clinicians and families who propelled and motivated our graduates and who joined us in celebrating this achievement.

The evening’s program was chaired by Dr. Teresa Mulaikal, Program Director, and included reflections from faculty and clinicians who highlighted both triumphs and challenges of their respective journeys. Dr. Mulaikal congratulated the graduates and reminded them that their achievement reflects their hard work, resilience and grit.

In addition to celebrating the completion of their respective programs, faculty and graduates were given several awards during the night’s program. This year we are happy to have expanded the number of awards to highlight the outstanding performances of our graduates and faculty.

Chairman of the department, Dr. Ansgar Brambrink reminded the graduates that in the spirit of rising to the top to meet the opportunities and the challenges that they will face in their careers, to seek balance in their personal and professional lives.

“As you work with your patients, your families, and your communities, please remember to respect yourselves - tend to your physical and emotional needs, seek balance, find quiet when you need it; remember to rest and recharge,” Dr. Brambrink advised.

Referring to the graduates as everyday heroes, Br. Brambrink urged them to go forth into their careers knowing they are the new generation of experts in the field of anesthesiology. “I am so proud of all of you for your courage to save, to serve, and to lead,” he said.

Dr. Brambrink further advised the graduates that as they embark on the next phase of their professional careers to be assured that they are part of a closely knitted family of anesthesiologists at CUIMC which remains a great resource even after graduation.

While some graduates will be pursuing private practice others will continue to pursue specialized training. This year the department of anesthesiology graduated 27 resident and 30 fellows.

The department honored the following residents and faculty as follows:

• Saundra Curry, MD         Best Teacher of Medical Students Award
• Jacob Schaff, MD           The Ansgar M. Brambrink, MD, PhD Chairman’s Award
• Claire Naus, MD             Humanism in Medicine Award
• Avanish Reddy, MD        Team Captain of the Year Award
• Ai-Lin Shao, MD             Team Captain of the Year Award
• Bryan Roller, MD            Best Teacher of Medical Students Award
• Charles Cain, MD           Best Teacher of the Year in Obstetrics Anesthesia Award
• Haijun Zhang, MD          Best Teacher of the Year in Pain Medicine Anesthesia Award
• Oliver Panzer, MD          Best Teacher of the Year in Regional Anesthesia Award
• Desmond Jordan, MD    Best Teacher of the Year in Critical Care Anesthesia Award
• William Jackson, MD      Best Teacher of the Year in Pediatric Anesthesia Award
• Desmond Jordan, MD    Best Teacher of the Year in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Award
• Oliver Panzer, MD          The Kathryn Cozine Teacher of the Year Award
• Oliver Panzer, MD          The M. Finster Attending of the Year Award
• Tricia Brentjens, MD       Best Teacher of the Year in Liver Anesthesia Award
• Yejun Zhao, MD             Best Teacher of the Year in General Milstein Anesthesia Award
• Paul Garcia, MD             Best Teacher of the Year in Neuroanesthesiology Anesthesia Award
• Tara Quinn, MD              Chief Resident
• Joseph Pena, MD           Chief Resident
• Andrew Greenwald, MD  Chief Resident
• Julia Ding, MD                Chief Resident