After a national search and competitive interview process, I am pleased to announce that Allison Mitchell, MD, has been appointed as the Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. Dr. Mitchell succeeds Richard Benzinger, MD, PhD, who has served in this role on an interim basis since May 2023. I extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Benzinger for his leadership and contributions to advancing education within the department and warmly welcome Dr. Mitchell as she assumes this important position.
As Vice Chair for Education, Dr. Mitchell will oversee all departmental educational initiatives and will work in close collaboration with leaders of all our training programs. She will focus on expanding programs to meet national needs, mentoring faculty educators, and enhancing simulation-based learning. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, while advancing innovative methods for assessment, feedback, and curriculum evaluation.
Dr. Mitchell’s journey with the department began in 2012 when she joined the Anesthesiology Residency Program as an intern, after earning her medical degree from UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. She completed her residency with the department, serving as a chief resident, before pursuing an obstetric anesthesiology fellowship at WashU Medicine. Following her training, she was recruited as faculty, and quickly established herself as a leader within the department.
In March 2020, Dr. Mitchell was appointed as the inaugural Associate Program Director for the residency program, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to education, training, and professional development. Her leadership led to her appointment as Residency Program Director in 2021, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing the educational experience of anesthesiology trainees. Dr. Mitchell has dedicated herself to transforming the residency, and has been spectacularly successful through her bold innovations and staunch personal commitment to each and every resident in the program.
Dr. Mitchell has been a dedicated educator, mentor, and leader within our department for years, and I am confident that her vision and passion for education will continue to elevate our training programs. Her dedication to promoting innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in anesthesiology education makes her an outstanding choice for this role.
Beyond her clinical excellence, Dr. Mitchell has actively contributed to several hospital committees, including the Women and Infants Clinical Operations Committee and the department’s Case Review Committee. She also remains deeply committed to raising the visibility and diversity of anesthesiology to build an inclusive workforce of anesthesiologists poised to serve the communities we live in through nationwide initiatives. Her leadership not only elevates the standard of care but also shapes the next generation of anesthesiologists.
Dr. Mitchell’s impact extends beyond the department. In 2024, Dr. Mitchell was selected for a Dean’s Impact Award, given on behalf of the dean of WashU Medicine, to recognize faculty members who have demonstrated enduring commitment to advancing the careers of others through exceptional mentorship and sponsorship of trainees, clinicians, educators, and researchers. Also in 2024, she was honored with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Medical Staff Association Early Career Award, a prestigious recognition of her contributions to patient care, medical education, and leadership. She was one of six physicians to receive this honor, highlighting clinical excellence, mentorship, and dedication to enhancing the careers of trainees and early stage physicians.
Throughout her career at WashU Medicine, Dr. Mitchell has been an outstanding mentor and resource for trainees and faculty. She will continue working closely with the department’s education team to enhance all educational initiatives and further establish the department as a leader in academic anesthesiology.
I look forward to seeing Dr. Mitchell continue to grow our programs and expand their impact beyond the department. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Mitchell on this well-deserved appointment!
Sent on behalf of Dr. Michael Avidan.