Dr. Manrique Publishes in Anesthesia and Analgesia

Congratulations to Dr. Ana Manrique (CA-1) who published an article in the July 2009 Anesthesia and Analgesia journal!

The Association of Renal Dysfunction and the Use of Aprotinin in Patients Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Ana Manrique, MD*, Edmund H. Jooste, MB, ChB , Bradley A. Kuch, BS, RRT-NPS, Steven E. Lichtenstein, MD , Victor Morell, MD*, Ricardo Munoz, MD, Demetrius Ellis, MD, and Peter J. Davis, MD

The abstract can be read here:
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/abstract/109/1/45

Important publication in Anesthesia and Analgesia

Congratulations go out to Chief Resident Dr. James Ibinson, VA faculty Drs. Catalin Ezaru, Michael Mangione, Todd Oravitz, and the late Dr. Richard Bjerke for their recent publication in Anesthesia and Analgesia. The article, titled “Eliminating Arterial Injury During Central Venous Catheterization Using Manometry,” is one of the finest works of Dr. Bjerke and his VA colleagues and describes the use of manometry, an important technique that benefits anesthesiologists and patients every day. The abstract, as well as its editorials, can be found here:

http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/abstract/109/1/130
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/long/109/1/3
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/long/109/1/6

Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!

Dr. Eklund Wins First Place at Society for Education in Anesthesia Meeting! 

Congratulations to Dr.  Jamie Eklund (CA-3) and her faculty advisor Dr. Shushma Aggarwal for their accomplishment.  Their abstract entitled "Thromboelastography Workshop as a Teaching Tool for Trainees" was awarded best scientific poster at the 2009 Society for Education in Anesthesia meeting in Seattle.  Great job!

Dr. Carol E. Rose Reappointed to State Board of Medicine

We are pleased to announce that Carol E. Rose, MD was reappointed to a second term on the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. Dr. Rose was nominated for reappointment by Governor Edward G. Rendell, and will serve a full four year term.  The Board of Medicine oversees the practice of medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (including licensure, registration, and certification), and reviews the qualifications of medical colleges and other medical training facilities. Congratulations, Dr. Rose!

Dr. Mosier Named Chief of Anesthesia of Davis Health System

Congratulations to alumnus Steven K. Mosier, MD, who was named Chief of Anesthesia of the Davis Health System in Elkins, West Virginia. Dr. Mosier graduated from the residency program in 2002, and worked at UPMC South Side as a Clinical Assistant Professor until December of last year. He then joined Davis Health System and was appointed Chief of Anesthesia in May 2009. His department handles approximately 4000 cases per year in 6 operating rooms, with 4 anesthesiologists and 10 CRNAs. Congratulations, Dr. Mosier!

Faculty Present Obstetric Anesthesia Crisis Simulation Course in Washington, D.C.

Drs. Manny Vallejo, Patricia Dalby, Ryan Romeo, Jon Waters and Rita M. Patel, from Magee-Womens Hospital, presented an invited, multi-disciplinary, Obstetric Anesthesia Crisis simulation course at the 41st annual meeting of the Society of Obstetrical Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) in Washington, DC. Four different obstetric crisis team training scenarios involving a multidisciplinary care team approach were developed, coordinated and presented by the team members consisting of anesthesiologists, obstetricians, labor and delivery room nurses, and technical staff from WISER. Preliminary evaluations from the 64 SOAP participants who attended the all day simulation course were outstanding. Congratulations to the team!

Residents Win WPSA Awards

UPMC residents swept both the original research and case report categories at the 2009 Western Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists Resident Research Competition.
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Residents excel at the PARRC

Residents from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Anesthesiology had a fabulous showing at the 2009 Pennsylvania Annual Resident Research Conference.  In this statewide conference, our residents excelled with first place finishes in both original research (CA-3 Dr. Xianren Wu) and the case reports category (pain fellow Dr. Hany Nasr).  Our residents accounted for 10 of the presentations (almost 25%) and represented our department proudly.  Congratulations to all!
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Study Shows Ultrasound Guidance May Improve Patient Safety

Dr. Steven Orebaugh’s latest publication, “Adverse Outcomes Associated With Stimulator-Based Peripheral Nerve Blocks With Versus Without Ultrasound Visualization,” can be found in the current issue of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. This study was a retrospective look at complications related to peripheral nerve blockades performed at UPMC over a two-year period. Dr. Orebaugh described the results of this study, “We found that, for upper extremity blocks, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures (a manifestation of local anesthetic toxicity) when ultrasound guidance was used. We believe this provides evidence that, for an academic teaching practice that frequently provides nerve blocks, ultrasound guidance provides an element of improved safety by reducing the frequency of local anesthetic toxicity.”  Anesthesiology faculty Drs. Brian Williams, Manuel Vallejo, and Michael Kentor were co-authors on the publication. The abstract can be found here
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UPMC Shadyside Staff Receive Accolades

Congratulations goes out to Dr. Daniel Sabo and Mr. Robert Lorah who have been awarded the “Stephen Finestone Anesthesiologist Clinical Instructor of the Year Award” and the “Mary DePaolis-Lutzo CRNA Clinical Instructor of the Year” Awards, respectively.  These honors were bestowed upon them by the April 2009 Graduating Class of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Additionally, Ms. Amy Herrmann recently received the 2009 Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists “Clinical Instructor of the Year” award.  Amy is one student rotation coordinators for the specialty rotation at UPMC Shadyside.

All three are proud Pitt alums! READ MORE

First Annual MedTASS a Great Success

Drs. Joseph Quinlan and Raymond Planinsic lead a difficult airway simulation session. (Photo by Mr. John Lutz)

In April, several Department of Anesthesiology faculty traveled to Palermo, Italy to attend the first annual Mediterranean Transplantation Anesthesiology and Simulation Symposium (MedTASS), which offered a current review of critical issues regarding standards of practice in the perioperative anesthetic and intensive care management of liver, heart and lung transplantation. MedTASS was made possible by a collaborative effort of the Department of Anesthesiology, the Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER), and the Renato Fiandaca Simulation Center at the Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies (ISMETT). READ MORE