Featured Anesthesiology Members

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2021

Dr. Brown-Shpigel is an instructor in trauma and general divisions under the Department of Anesthesiology. She is the Center for Advanced Medicine Outpatient Surgery Center’s POD leader. In this capacity, she manages the operative board schedule, coordinates with surgeons on what cases are appropriate for the location, and works with the nursing management on perioperative process quality improvement programs. She has a special interest in trauma anesthesiology and critical care. She will be taking a sabbatical to return to training for a Critical Care Medicine Fellowship in 2021-2022 with anticipation of rejoining the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology.

Brown-Shpigel notes, “Did you know there are well over 60 different hikes you can do within 60 miles of St. Louis? I find my life balance by spending as much time as possible outdoors when I am away from work so I’m working my way through these great outdoor experiences. I have an 18 month old toddler and two doggies who love to tag along. Even though I have only been in St. Louis 6 years, I really feel like we have found our home.”

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: January 2025

Jon Bucher earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Missouri and began his career at WashU Medicine in 2010 in the Division of Geriatrics & Nutritional Science. In 2013, he transitioned to the Department of Anesthesiology, where he has since advanced his career. During this time, Jon completed WashU’s PMBA program at Olin Business School, further enhancing his expertise in business management and finance. Currently, Jon serves as the Business Director for Research Finance, overseeing financial operations and supporting research initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, tackling home improvement projects, watching horror films, and biking around Creve Coeur Lake.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2022

Sarah is an Associate Professor and serves as a Pain Psychologist in the Pain Management Center, where she can be found surrounded by a large number of plants. She also provides assessment and treatment services with the bariatric surgery team. She grew up in St. Louis (Pattonville) and attended Washington University as an undergrad. After working in the WUSM psychiatry department for a bit, she then obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology at UMSL. Her pre-doctoral internship was completed at the Oklahoma City VA/OU Medical Center, and she did her fellowship at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.

Despite having no natural athletic ability or aptitude, she continues to stubbornly sign up for endurance events such as marathons, ultramarathons, duathlons, and triathlons. Her best girl, Scarlett the Bluetick Coonhound, is a wonderful training partner. Her fiancé, Kevin, cooks her delightful dinners and has reluctantly become a fan of true crime documentaries.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2021

Brendon was born and raised in Indianapolis and attending Indiana University School of Medicine before coming to St. Louis for residency. He is one of the current CA-2 residents and will be the second anesthesiologist in his family after his dad. His fiancé, Keerthana, is currently a urology resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. They plan to dive into the hectic world of wedding planning this coming year. In his free time, Brendon enjoys playing the piano and guitar, making trips up to Milwaukee, watching plenty of Netflix, and traveling whenever he can.