Featured Anesthesiology Members

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2025

Elisabeth (Liz) joined the Department of Anesthesiology in April 2021 and currently serves as Manager of Coding and Compliance for the entire department, including general anesthesia, pain management, and critical care medicine. In this role, she oversees timely coding and charge submission across all service lines, ensures accurate capture of missing charges, supports coding staff and division administrators, and verifies that provider documentation is complete and compliant. She also provides billing education to physicians, SRNAs, and fellows upon request.

With more than 20 years of experience as a medical coder, Liz brings extensive expertise and a genuine passion for her field. She thrives on the complexities of medical coding and is committed to supporting her colleagues and continually expanding her own knowledge.

Outside of her work at WashU Medicine, Liz teaches medical coding part-time at St. Louis Community College, where she is also a proud alumna of the program. She enjoys mentoring future coders and preparing them for the ever-evolving world of healthcare. In May 2023, she completed her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from WashU.

A lifelong St. Louis resident, Liz lives with her three children—one son and two daughters—along with her two cats, Simba and Nyla, and her dog, Roscoe. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, shopping, spending time with family and friends, exploring new cuisines, and getting outdoors.

Fun fact: Liz became a first-time grandmother in March 2024 and is excited to welcome two more grandchildren—a boy and a girl—expected in November 2025.

Department of Anesthesiology APP of the Quarter: October 2023

Nicky is one of the APP Leads for the 56/82 CTICUs. She graduated from Goldfarb School of Nursing AGACNP program in 2017. Before becoming an NP, Nicky worked the previous 12 years as a bedside nurse in 56ICU at BJH. Her passion is heart failure and mechanical life support. Outside of work, Nicky loves spending time with her husband and three children at the lake and family farm in Ste Genevieve.

Nicky was named the Q3 2023 APP of the Quarter!

Her nominator says, “Nicky’s dedication, commitment, and positive influence set a high standard for our group. She’s always there to support her colleagues and works tirelessly to improve our CTICU.”

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2021

Rajiv was born and raised in St. Louis. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical Center in 2014 and his fellowship in pain management at the tri-institutional fellowship (Cornell/MSKCC/HSS) in 2015.

After completing his fellowship, Rajiv spent one year in private practice before returning home to St. Louis. He spends his clinical time at Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Barnes Jewish Hospital and the Center for Advanced Medicine.

Rajiv and his wife, Neha, have two children (Shreya and Nikhil). Having grown-up in St. Louis, Rajiv is a huge Cardinals and Blues fan. In addition, he loves to travel with his family. Since the pandemic, Rajiv has embraced learning to cook dishes from around the world.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2021

Irakli Shengelia was born in Republic of Georgia, then part of USSR. He served in the Soviet Army as a medic and after his service he attended Tbilisi State Medical University where he studied medicine. He immigrated to the United States in 1993 before completing his studies. After arriving in the US, he enrolled in a nursing program at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington Iowa where he received his LPN diploma in 1996. In 2002 he completed an Associate Degree in Nursing program at Excelsior College in Albany NY and then his bachelor of science in liberal studies at the same college. As a nurse he worked in multiple areas including IV therapy, stepdown unit, ICU, ER, and OR gaining vast knowledge and experience.

In 2005 he was accepted to Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program which he successfully completed in 2008. He joined the Washington University Department of Anesthesia in 2014 and he has been working with the division of critical care while caring for critically ill patients across many units and hospitals within BJC system.

He always says that he is” looking forward to go to work,” but he also looks forward to going home where he can spend time with his family. He has been married to Rebecca for 25 years (they met in nursing school) and they have three sons, Nikolas, David, and Maximus. David was recently accepted to Butler University Physician Assistant program, following his father’s footsteps.

Irakli’s hobbies include playing soccer, listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends and family.