Featured Anesthesiology Members

Department of Anesthesiology – FAS Employee of the Quarter: January 2025

Originally from St. Louis, Katie earned her undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State University. After, she moved to Nebraska and worked as a ministry partner on campus and in various financial positions. Five years later, she moved back to St. Louis and began working for WashU Medicine in November 2019. Katie, now a Grant Specialist II, joined the Department of Anesthesiology in July 2022. She has a background in the research administrative process with both pre- and post-award experience. Katie and her husband, Ben, have a spunky and beautiful daughter. Katie loves meeting new people, board games, swimming, and video games.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: April 2021

Preeta is from India and spent her childhood in a historic town named Chettinad, known for its cuisine, and she spent her school years in an Irish boarding school.

Her medical journey commenced in India, and she completed medical school and residency in anesthesiology at CMC, Vellore. In pursuit of career advancement, she traveled across the world to Minneapolis in 2009 and worked as a postdoctoral associate doing animal research at the University of Minnesota. She completed a second anesthesia residency at the University of Pennsylvania and a Pediatric Anesthesia fellowship at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and never left.

Preeta is currently an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Director of the Fetal Anesthesia Program and has helped develop the program. Her other area of specialized focus is in pediatric liver transplants. On the academic forefront, she is passionate about medical education and simulation and is the clinical immersion leader for the new medical student curriculum, which launched this year. She enjoys teaching and working with residents, fellows, and CRNA’s.

Her husband, Ige, works in Infectious Disease at WashU, and their 5-year-old, Diya, is spirited and keeps their age in check! She enjoys tennis and is happy to orchestrate a “Wash U Grand slam” for those interested. Hiking and traveling are favorites too.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2024

Lauren Gibson, MBA, MHA, has dedicated the past 10 years of her career to WashU Medicine, where she currently serves as the Director of Education & Business Administration. Known for her strategic acumen and dedication to fostering growth, Lauren plays a pivotal role in leading our education programs and administrative teams.

Outside of her professional commitments, Lauren is a fiercely devoted fan of Florida State University, her alma mater, showcasing unwavering support for the university’s endeavors. She finds joy in traveling to sporting events — a recent highlight being the Monaco Grand Prix.

Beyond sports, Lauren has a deep-seated passion for international travel, seeking out destinations that offer rich culinary experiences, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking scenery. Her travels serve as both a source of relaxation and an opportunity for personal enrichment.

Lauren continues to combine her professional expertise with her personal interests, aiming to make a positive impact both professionally and through her adventurous pursuits.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2024

Amy is a Certified Medical Coder in the Department of Anesthesiology. She has over 17 years of experience in the medical field, starting her career as a program assistant in the Kidney/Liver Transplant Department at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In 2015, Amy transitioned to WashU Medicine, where she worked as a medical secretary for HPB/Transplant.

While serving as an Administrative Coordinator for Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Amy decided to pursue a medical coding certification. She achieved her certification in 2021 and began working with the Department of Surgery before joining the Department of Anesthesiology in 2023.

Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her two grandchildren. She is also passionate about painting and crafting. Together with her husband, Amy runs a small business specializing in sublimation printing. She focuses on creating ornaments, baby blankets, and tumblers, while her husband designs shirts.