Our success is intimately linked to the accomplishments of each and every member of our department.
Each month, four members are nominated and featured to celebrate their commitment to patient care, education, and research.
Current Featured Anesthesiology Department Members

Christy Boyle, CRNA, DNP
Nurse Anesthetist

Jeff Goff
Research Technician

Jena Isaacson
Clinical Informaticist

Andrew Wilkey, MD
Resident Physician
Featured Anesthesiology Department Members Archive
Umeshkumar Athiraman, MD, MBBS
Director of Neuroanesthesia; Associate Professor, Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2024
Dr. Umeshkumar Athiraman is currently an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Neurological Surgery and the Director of Neuroanesthesia. His laboratory research is focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of anesthetic conditioning-induced neurovascular protection and developing anesthetic conditioning as a therapeutic tool for various central and peripheral nervous system disorders. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
Jake AuBuchon, MD
Medical Student Director; Associate Professor, Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: August 2020
Jake grew up on a horse farm in Union, MO. His father worked as a part-time horse trainer, so much of his childhood was spent cleaning stalls, fixing fence, and going to horse shows around Missouri. He completed the combined degree program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (Go Kangaroos!). After medical school, Jake completed his anesthesiology residency, pain management fellowship, and pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Washington University. He also spent three months at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for additional pediatric pain medicine exposure. Jake is currently the Director of Pediatric Pain Management at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and his clinical practice focuses on pediatric acute and chronic pain management in addition to still providing OR pediatric anesthesia. He also enjoys being involved in medical student and resident education. Outside of work, he loves spending time with my his wife, Sarah, and his 3 children (Owen, Bella, and Lucy). Family days usually involve going on hikes, biking, and being active.
Ramya Baddigam, MD
Resident Physician, Class of 2023
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2020
Ramya is a current second-year resident originally from southeast Michigan. She has slowly been moving further south to warmer climates following medical school at Ohio State University. She is currently undecided about which fellowship to pursue but is excited to complete CA-1 year to see the other subspecialties of anesthesia. Outside of work, Ramya is a foodie and enjoys exploring new restaurants both in St. Louis and abroad. She is also recently trying out rock climbing.
Kam Baggette
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2020
Kam has been a clinical nurse coordinator for the Pain Management Center since 2005. In her role as patient advocate, she guides the patients and their families in the referral process as well as providing information on chronic pain treatment modalities. Kam also acts as a physician liaison to promote practice growth and development. As new physicians join the Pain Center, she helps to build relationships with their referring colleagues which emphasizes the attending’s interests and expertise. She is blessed with a very supportive husband, and two talented children. In her spare time she enjoys distance running, biking and swimming.