This announcement was sent on behalf of Drs. Michael Avidan and Allison Mitchell.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sydney Nykiel-Bailey has been appointed Director of the Anesthesiology Residency Program at WashU Medicine, effective July 1, 2025.
A valued member of our community for over 15 years, Dr. Nykiel-Bailey has built a reputation as an exceptional clinician, educator, and leader. Since joining the faculty in 2011, she has brought deep expertise in pediatric anesthesiology and an enduring commitment to medical education that has shaped the professional growth of countless trainees.
As the founding Director of the Pediatric Difficult Airway Service at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Dr. Nykiel-Bailey developed a program that is nationally recognized for its interdisciplinary coordination and high-reliability care. Her technical expertise, clinical judgment, and steady presence are sought after by colleagues across specialties, especially in the most challenging and high-stakes cases.
In her role as Associate Residency Program Director since 2022, she has been instrumental in advancing the educational vision and infrastructure of one of the nation’s largest anesthesiology training programs. In the last two years alone, she has led the creation of a health equity & disparities curriculum and explored a formal coaching program in medical education. Residents routinely describe her as one of the most influential mentors of their careers—a leader who models excellence, humility, and unwavering support.
Dr. Nykiel-Bailey’s national impact is evident through her service as an APPLIED examination examiner with the American Board of Anesthesiology, her selection to the WashU Medicine Academy of Educators, and her position as co-assistant editor for OnDemand content for the American Society of Anesthesiology. These appointments and leadership roles reflect her influence in medical education and underscore the reach of her impact.
Dr. Nykiel-Bailey is stepping into the Program Director role with a deep understanding of our residency’s strengths and aspirations, and with a clear vision for how to continue advancing excellence in clinical training, educational innovation, and trainee well-being. She will work closely with Dr. Allison Mitchell, Vice Chair for Education, to foster an inclusive learning environment that prepares residents to deliver outstanding, equitable care.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Nykiel-Bailey on this richly deserved appointment. We are confident that under her leadership, our residency program will thrive and evolve in exciting new ways.