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
Alex Shero, AG-ACNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Department of Anesthesiology APP of the Quarter: September 2024
Alex graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in December 2015. Shortly after, she relocated from Texas to Nashville, TN, to begin her nursing career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Neuro ICU. She completed the intensivist track of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program at Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing, with a focus on care within various ICU populations.
In October 2018, Alex joined the team as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) within the Surgical and Trauma ICUs. Having grown up in a military family and moved frequently, transitioning to St. Louis, MO, presented unique challenges, fostering both personal and professional growth. Over the past two years, she has taken pride in leading the Social and Well-Being Committee, helping to create a supportive community within the group.
Since August 2023, Alex has been part of the SICU leadership team, where she initiated a mentorship program alongside co-director Teresa Hammann. Their goal is to provide new APPs with the guidance and resources needed to succeed in their roles. This summer, she had the opportunity to cross-train in the CTICUs, learning from the expertise of the providers there.
Outside of work, Alex and her spouse, Christian, live in a Victorian home with two rescue basset hounds, Pippi Longstocking and Willow Pill, as well as two cats, Kitty Purry and Elizabeth Taylor (affectionately known as Itty Bitty). Alex is also committed to maintaining hobbies such as running, yoga, sewing, and more recently, painting and ceramics.
Jean Shim
Staffing Administrator
Department of Anesthesiology FAS Employee of the Quarter: January 2020
Jean was born and raised with her three siblings in St. Louis before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her degree in Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. After 10 sunny years of living the California dream, she decided to move back to St. Louis and now resides in the city with her boyfriend, Scott.
Jean is a life-long musician having played the piano, cello, and violin from the age of four which led her to be a competitive pianist for 15 years. This experience taught her the importance of dedication, hard work, and attention to detail which has proven to be quite helpful in her position with the department.
Jean helps to build and manage the department faculty and CRNA schedules and works closely with the division chiefs, individual providers, business directors, and credentialing team to efficiently staff the adult ORs and ICUs for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Progress West Hospital, and Missouri Baptist Medical Center and 8 other ICU only locations.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her amazing & supportive boyfriend, cooking, discovering new restaurants, rooting for the Cardinals & Blues, snowboarding, yoga, and re-watching Parks & Recreation.
Sinokuthaba Sibanda, DNAP, APRN, CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2019
Sinokuthaba (Snono) is a graduate of Mayo Clinic School of Health Science’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Sibanda’s research focus was studying patients with known and suspected obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient procedures. She earned her undergraduate nursing degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of work, she enjoys solo international travel, and “Do It Yourself” craft projects.
Manjaap Sidhu, MD
Resident Physician, Class of 2023
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2020
Dr. Sidhu grew up in Carbondale, IL, and attended Washington University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology. After graduating, he returned home where he worked as a teaching assistant in anatomy and physiology, as well as a phlebotomist, for a few years before going to medical school at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Sidhu is currently a CA-2 in the residency program.
“Coming back to WashU and St. Louis for residency has been great, and despite the pandemic, having an incredibly supportive group of co-residents has made my time here incredibly fulfilling, said Dr. Sidhu. “Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, and staying politically active (plus the occasional Netflix binge).”
Fun fact: His favorite show is the West Wing. Aaron Sorkin’s writing is phenomenal and he re-watches the entire show at least once a year.