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
Catherine Gould, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Parita Jani, MD
ACTA Fellow
Sherry McKinnon
Manager of Clinical Research, Regulatory and Compliance
Andrew Schaffer, MD
Resident Physician
Featured Anesthesiology Department Members Archive
Sarah Jaber, DNP, AGACNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2025
Sarah has been a critical care nurse practitioner at WashU Medicine for nearly a decade, bringing a wealth of experience from a medical career that began in 2006. Throughout her time at WashU, she has taken on numerous roles, serving as a member of the PIA Safe group, a wellness champion, a WOW committee member, a preceptor, and the founder of the APP Social & Well-Being Committee. While her heart belongs to the Surgical Trauma ICU, she is currently embracing the challenge of learning new skills in the Cardiothoracic ICU.
Outside of work, Sarah loves to travel and stay active—one of her personal goals is to visit all the major national parks. A devoted ice cream lover, she enjoys almost every flavor except plain chocolate. She also cherishes time with her friends, family, boyfriend, two dogs, and cat.
This year brings an exciting new chapter—Sarah is thrilled to welcome a baby girl in March!
Michelle Jacob, AGACNP
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2024
Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mizzou in 2004 and spent several years working in mental health before returning to school to pursue her BSN. After graduating from UMSL’s nursing program in 2008, she began her nursing career at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, first in the Neuro/NSGY ICU (10400) and later in the SICU (8400). She was part of the transition to the new SICU (4400) before deciding to further her education. Michelle is a graduate of Goldfarb’s NP programs, holding an MSN in Adult/Gero NP and a post-MSN in Acute Care Adult/Gero NP. She has worked with various intensivist groups throughout the metro area and joined the department in 2018.
Michelle primarily practices at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois, where she lives with her husband, son, three dogs, and turtle. Reflecting on her work, she shares, “The best part of my job is serving my community and being part of such a great team at Memorial.”
Fun fact: By the time Michelle was in 6th grade, she had lived in six different states: Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, and Kentucky.
Danish Jaffer, MD
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2023
Danish joined Washington University School of Medicine as a resident in 2016 and has been with the institution since. During that time, he completed a fellowship in obstetric anesthesiology and went on to become its program director. His academic passions include taking care of vulnerable populations, teaching residents, and making the fellowship the best place in the nation to learn about obstetric anesthesia. At home, he loves to spend time with his wife, wrestle his two kids, take care of his garden, and play video games.
Parita Jani, MD
ACTA Fellow
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: April 2026
Dr. Jani is an Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology fellow at WashU Medicine. She is from Suwanee, GA, and earned her BA, MPH, and MD degrees in Birmingham, AL, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She completed anesthesiology residency at WashU Medicine, and served as Chief Resident during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Parita loves vanilla lattes, listening to audiobooks, and trying new restaurants with her husband – they love experiencing the food scene in St. Louis! After fellowship, she will be staying on as faculty.