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
Isabella Rossi Riordan, MD
Resident Physician, Class of 2018
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2019
Isabella was a recent chief resident in the department, graduating from residency in 2018 following medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. After graduation, she stayed on as faculty at Progress West Hospital which is a small community hospital in O’Fallon. She has enjoyed the challenge of this busy and dynamic practice which allows for a mix of supervising CRNAs and self-performing cases. She loves that each day brings a variety of cases and skill sets ranging from general anesthesia to regional blocks to labor and delivery. She is involved in clinical research looking at LMA failures and delayed extubation led by former faculty member Dr. Vannucci. Outside of work she enjoys international travels with her husband, distance running, baking and working on home improvement projects.
Michelle Rutter, AGACNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Anesthesiology APP of the Quarter: June 2025
Michelle Rutter, AGACNP-BC, began her nursing career in 2012 in the Emergency Department (ED) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. During her time in the ED, she served as a charge nurse and nurse educator. She earned her degree from Goldfarb School of Nursing in 2020. It was during her student rotation through the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that she discovered her passion for critical care medicine, inspired by the supportive and collaborative environment created by the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) team.
In December 2020, Michelle joined the Critical Care APP team at WashU Medicine as a new APP. Since then, she has continued to grow as a provider and has taken on the role of preceptor and mentor for incoming APPs. She finds great fulfillment in guiding new team members as they evolve from novice clinicians into confident, proficient providers.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys life on a small farm with her husband, Drew, and their two daughters, Isabelle and Ellie. Their family includes several chickens, ducks, and two dogs. Her hobbies include running, gardening, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is also currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Goldfarb School of Nursing, with plans to complete the program in 2026.
Michelle has been named the June 2025 APP of the Quarter!
Known for her humility, compassion, and team spirit, Michelle has grown into a trusted and knowledgeable provider who consistently goes above and beyond for both patients and colleagues. Her nominator praised her empathy, dedication, and ability to handle even the most challenging situations with grace. A true team player and patient advocate, Michelle is deeply valued by all who work with her.
Julia Saak, MD
Resident Physician
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: August 2025
Julia is a third-year anesthesiology resident at WashU Medicine. Originally from St. Louis, she completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), taking a semester off in between to teach English at an elementary school in southern Spain. She is passionate about medical education and is currently a part of the resident education committee. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading fiction, suffering through hot yoga classes, spending time with her amazing co-residents, and taking care of her many plants. She is planning on pursuing a pediatric anesthesiology fellowship after completing residency.
Furqaan Sadiq, MD
Resident Physician, Class of 2021
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2020
Furqaan first started with the Department of Anesthesiology as an 18-year-old undergrad volunteering for a summer research project. He later earned his MD at the University of Missouri-Kansas City during which he elected to return to WashU and complete a one-year research training program and a Masters in Clinical Investigation. Even now as a CA3 resident, Furqaan says he’s continuously inspired by the camaraderie within the department. With his wife, Maham, Furqaan enjoys sailing and exploring hiking trails. Fun fact: He made a brief foray into journalism as part of the Olympic News Service, covering the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.