Category: A Day in the Life

Meet Brian Torres, a CRNA in the Department of Anesthesiology, and also the assistant director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program, a collaboration between WashU Anesthesiology and Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing. Brian’s clinical practice focuses on anesthesia for cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. In his role as faculty, his teaching focuses on anesthetic pharmacology, preoperative health assessment, simulation, and the basic principles of anesthesiology. Read on to learn more about a typical day for Brian.

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, physicians play diverse and demanding roles, often navigating between administrative responsibilities and hands-on patient care. Dr. Higo shares a glimpse into his daily routine as a physician who holds the position of vice-chair of innovation while carrying a whole load of clinical responsibilities. His unique role involves managing administrative tasks, providing anesthesia for complex neurosurgical ENT or spine cases in the operating room, and tending to patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across multiple hospitals within our healthcare system.

Shirley Vaughn is the administrative coordinator for the Department of Anesthesiology’s Office of Education. Learn more about what a typical day is like for her and her coordinating duties.  

Dr. Stephen Gregory currently serves as an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and the Division of Perioperative Medicine. He is also the medical director of the Center for Preoperative Assessment and Planning (CPAP). Learn more about what a typical day is like for him at the preoperative assessment clinic.

Melissa Clary is the business director for the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology and the Division of Perioperative Medicine. She is a St. Louis native and completed her undergraduate degree at WashU. In her current role, Melissa is responsible for providing business and operational leadership for her divisions, including strategic planning and financial and operations management, and supporting the development of people, programs, and initiatives. She loves to spend time with her fiance, family, and friends in her free time, travel, and be active, especially to be outdoors with her Brittany Spaniel, Tillie.

Paige is originally from Sullivan, MO, and earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Columbia College. She started her career in healthcare in 2017 as a patient care technician at BJH in the ED to gain experience for physician assistant school. During her clinical training as a PA, she rotated through the SICU and was able to join the WashU APP group after graduating from SLU in December 2022. Read about her day in the life!

Check out a day in the life of Karishma Bhatia, MD, a third-year resident with WashU anesthesia.

Shawn is one of the APP Leads for the 44/78 ICUs as well as ACT/Codes for North Tower. He graduated from DeSales University and has been a Physician Assistant for 13.5 years. Shawn has worked in the Emergency Room, Neuro ICU, and is currently in the Trauma/Surgical ICU. Shawn is happily married and has two beautiful daughters. He is currently in the Army National Guard. Outside of work Shawn loves spending time with his wife and children, working out, and renovating their lake house.

Waliah is originally from St. Louis, MO, and earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University and graduate degree from Washington University. She started her career at Washington University in 2002 in the Sponsored Projects Accounting Office as a Grants Analyst and went on to hold various roles in the Office of Sponsored Research Services and the Department of Pediatrics. She is now the senior research administrator for the department in the research division.

Residency Program Coordinator, Erin Wood, gives a snapshot of the day-to-day operations of the residency program, and how she supports the WU Scholar and ASAP research trainees as they navigate their dreams of becoming physician-scientists.