Dear colleagues,
I am delighted to announce that Justin Knittel, MD, has graciously agreed to serve as Interim Division Chief for our new Division of Trauma Anesthesiology, effective August 1, 2023.
Dr. Knittel is an accomplished clinician with an impressive track record of leadership and service, and a deep commitment to WUDA and all of its missions. In this new role, he will be leading the strategy and development of this new clinical division, and will be responsible for ensuring continued clinical excellence, division goal setting, ongoing operational partnership with BJH, recruitment of new faculty and staff, mentorship of and increased opportunities for junior faculty and trainees, and helping to launch new research initiatives. Dr. Knittel has already been a tireless champion and driving force for trauma anesthesiology here at WUDA, having served as section chief since 2020, and both trauma fellowship director and resident education director for the Surgical ICU since 2017. We are honored to formalize and more robustly recognize not only Dr. Knittel’s leadership role in the department but also the specialty of trauma anesthesiology as a new priority area of investment.
Dr. Knittel earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He then went on to complete residency in Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and arrived at WUDA for his fellowship in Critical Care in 2013. Dr. Knittel began his faculty position here as an instructor in 2014 and was promoted to associate professor in 2021.
Dr. Knittel will be an outstanding Interim Division Chief for Trauma Anesthesiology. I am confident that he will continue to thrive as a leader and provide inspiration to colleagues across WUDA through his promotion of service, indefatigable commitment to patients, mentorship, and dedication to supporting an inclusive and collaborative culture.
Best wishes,
Michael
Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCASA
Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology
Head of the Department of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Barnes-Jewish Hospital