Department of
Chief Resident and CA-3 Arianna Montes de Oca takes us behind the scenes of her obstetric anesthesia rotation—a fast-paced block where no two days are the same. She also shares how she balances the intensity of residency with life at home alongside her husband, daughter, and their dog.
One of the most powerful strategies to improve your well-being is spending time with the people who matter most. The August 2025 Health & Wellness Newsletter is all about prioritizing connection.
Two faculty members from WashU Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology in the Washington University Pain Center—Simon Haroutounian, PhD, MSc, and Burel R. Goodin, PhD—have been selected for the 2025 cohort of the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship: Communicating Science & Improving Care.
Brian Torres, DNP, CRNA, has been appointed program director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. In addition, he will serve as director of CRNA education in the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine.
Mitsukuni Yoshida, MD, PhD, receives NIH Outstanding Scholars in Neuroscience Award for research on aging and disease.
Congratulations to Jean Shim, manager of scheduling and special projects, for being selected as the 2025 recipient of the Sandy Hawes Memorial Award.
Researchers at WashU Medicine Anesthesiology have discovered a key link between chronic pain and sleep disruptions, a combination that can impair daily functioning, reduce quality of life, and increase healthcare costs.
Dr. Bethany Pennington, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, has been named Associate Vice Chair for Quality and Safety. A dedicated leader in patient safety and quality improvement, she will help shape strategy and innovation in patient safety and QI across the department.
Researchers have developed a modified form of morphine that retains its pain-relieving power while minimizing harmful side effects, according to a study in PNAS. By changing just one atom in the molecule, the team significantly improved the drug’s safety profile.
As the academic year ends, we celebrate our graduating residents and fellows for their lasting impact on patient care, education, and the future of medicine. Learn more about their achievements and celebrations.