We are proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of several department faculty members who are currently serving or have recently been appointed as examiners for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) APPLIED Examination. Their dedication upholds the highest standards in anesthesiology and ensures that the next generation of anesthesiologists is well-prepared for board certification.
Richard Benzinger, MD, PhD, Professor of Anesthesiology and Interim Vice Chair for Education, has been promoted from Associate Examiner to Full Examiner. As a Full Examiner, Benzinger will have a senior role in the administration of the exam, including mentoring new examiners and ensuring the integrity of the assessment process. Dr. Benzinger also serves as an in-training exam (ITE) question writer.
Dolores Njoku, MD, Wise Professor of Pediatric Anesthesiology, serves as Vice Chair in the Department of Anesthesiology and as Division Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. She is also Anesthesiologist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Dr. Njoku continues to serve as a Full Examiner and has recently been promoted to Chair of the Standard Oral Examination Committee. Her leadership in this role will continue to shape the exam and maintain its high standards. As a Full Examiner, she also serves as a mentor to new and associate examiners as well as newer members of the Standard Oral Examination Committee.
Sydney Nykiel-Bailey, DO, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Associate Program Director for the Residency Program, has been appointed as a new examiner. In this role, she will help assess candidates’ clinical decision-making and professionalism as part of the ABA’s rigorous certification process.
“Education is a cornerstone of WashU Anesthesiology,” said Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA, Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor and head of the Department of Anesthesiology. “Our department is steadfast in its commitment to training future leaders across all domains. Drs. Njoku, Benzinger, and Nykiel-Bailey are exceptional educators, nationally recognized for their visionary and innovative approaches. Their dedication ensures that our learners receive the highest standard of education, and that our patients benefit from the most up-to-date, evidence-based care.”
The ABA APPLIED Examination is a critical component of board certification, assessing anesthesiology candidates through both a Standardized Oral Examination and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Successfully completing this exam marks the final milestone as recent trainees become fully board-certified anesthesiologists. Faculty who serve as examiners commit significant time and expertise to this process, spending at least one week each year administering the exam in person at the ABA headquarters in Raleigh, and another week remotely grading OSCE exams. Their contributions uphold the rigor of the field and maintain the highest standards of patient care.
Please join us in congratulating Drs. Benzinger, Njoku, and Nykiel-Bailey for their service and dedication to the future of anesthesiology!