Current Fellows — Class of 2024

Hannah Padgett, MD

Hannah Padgett, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2024

Residency: University of Oklahoma

Medical School: University of Arkansas College of Medicine

“During my fellowship interview trail, WashU/SLCH immediately stood out to me for the incredibly warm, welcoming, and approachable staff and fellows. I was particularly interested in its robust fellowship experience with regional and pain management, as well as its exposure to a variety of complex cases. I also really appreciated the effort the program goes to in organizing journal clubs, book clubs, and even purely social meetups to promote camaraderie and a balanced lifestyle. In my off time, I’m looking forward to continuing to explore the trails in Forest Park with my golden retriever, Dallas, and cheering on St. Louis CITY SC at as many home games as possible!”

Sasha Ridgell, MD

Sasha Ridgell, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2024

Residency: Louisiana State University — Shreveport

Medical School: University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Fellow Alumni Testimonials

Class of 2023
Micaela  Clark-Bethel, MD

Micaela Clark-Bethel, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023

Residency: Washington University/ Barnes Jewish Consortium

Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine

“Deciding where to pursue a Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship is an important decision. Luckily, the Anesthesiology Department at St. Louis Children’s Hospital made that decision easy for me. Having trained at Washington University in St. Louis for residency, I was able to experience the high acuity cases that come with being a tertiary care center as well as a level 1 trauma center while being well supported by our experienced and caring attending anesthesiologists.

One of the things that immediately stood out to me about SLCH was the collaborative work environment amongst the staff of various disciplines, everyone works together to take the best possible care of our patients which was very important to me. I look forward to continuing to grow my skills in this supportive environment throughout my fellowship and know I will make lasting relationships that will extend far beyond fellowship! 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time exploring Forest Park which is located right across the street from the hospital and walking distance from where I live. I also enjoy trying various restaurants with my husband and friends, spending time with my dog, and playing card games and board games.”

Caitlynn Miller, DO

Caitlynn Miller, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023

Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

“The pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Washington University stood out to me for its strong regional/pain experience throughout the fellowship year. The program also promotes wellness through various activities. I look forward to training in a program with a wide variety of complex cases in a supportive environment. I am also excited to check out all the great restaurants St. Louis has to offer!”

Jason Pierce, MD

Jason Pierce, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023

Residency: Virginia Mason Medical Center

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

“There were many great programs that I encountered on the pediatric anesthesia fellowship trail, however, Washington University distinctly stood out. The faculty seemed very friendly, approachable, and down to earth. In addition, several fellows and attendings that I worked with at my residency program trained at Washington University and only had stellar things to say about the quality of education to be received here. I am looking forward to the robust didactic program and complex cases with the faculty here, to prepare me for my career afterward, as well as getting to know my co-fellows better. When I am not at the hospital I enjoy hiking and biking, and look forward to what the St. Louis area has to offer.”

Jessica Santucci, DO

Jessica Santucci, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023

Residency: Naval Medical Center San Diego

Medical School: A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM)

“I chose WashU/ St Louis Children’s for fellowship because it offers complex cases within a small fellowship class and in such a supportive environment. Everyone I talked to genuinely enjoyed their job and had positive things to say about the hospital, the cases, and the faculty.  Since getting here, I have found that to absolutely be true. Everyone I have met so far has been fantastic. As fellows, we are exposed to big cases and are not having to compete with each other to get them. St. Louis is a hidden gem…. I had no idea that it offered so much and can’t wait to enjoy the food, the festivals, and the outdoors. When I am not at work, I am hanging out with my husband and our two dogs. We love walking them in Forest Park and I am excited to explore the many trails all over the area.”

Brandon Tan, MD

Brandon Tan, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023; ASAP Scholar

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Residency: Washington University School of Medicine

“St. Louis Children’s Hospital is a nation-leading children’s hospital. With such a reputation it is such a bonus that the faculty and staff exude kindness and positivity. We have case complexity and tailored career development plans with faculty and a network to find fulfilling employment starting immediately.

For myself, I am a 80%-20% research-clinical fellow with goals toward a career as a basic science-focused physician-scientist. At this hospital, we have the flexibility for excellent clinical training while allowing for protected time to pursue long-term projects. Outside of work, I have a great time with my wife and children. I enjoy singing, cooking and tasting new foods, and overall living my best suburban dad life!”

Richard Villegas, MD

Richard Villegas, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2023

Medical School: University of Santo Tomas (2008)

Pediatrics Residency: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2010-2013)

Pediatric Chief Resident: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2013-2014)

Pediatric Critical Care Fellow: University of California, San Diego (2016-2019)

Anesthesiology Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (2019-2022)

“I chose St. Louis to be closer to family. My wife grew up in Chesterfield and we were able to purchase a lovely home close to her old elementary school and high school. St. Louis is a hidden gem of a city with lots to offer including festivals, great food, and diverse, friendly people. It’s centrally located with easy access to the West Coast, Northeast, and the South.

I chose St Louis Children’s Hospital to do my pediatric anesthesiology fellowship because I wanted my last year of training to be at a busy transplant center, with robust cardiac rooms, and a nationally recognized pediatric intensive care unit. St Louis Children’s Hospital is a quaternary referral center on Washington University Medical Campus which has provided the support I need to continue my pediatric burn research that I originally started in Texas. Most importantly, it has some of the most experienced, knowledgeable, and nicest pediatric anesthesia staff I have met. Being able to experience tough, challenging cases in a friendly teaching environment was very important to me and SLCH definitely supports this culture.

This is my eleventh year of post-graduate training and I have worked in multiple children’s hospitals. If you want to come to a big city with a small-town vibe, learn pediatric anesthesia in a robust clinical hospital, and have fun while doing it, I believe St Louis Children’s Hospital has it all.  After my fellowship, I intend to practice both pediatric intensive care medicine and pediatric anesthesiology.”

Class of 2022
Jaclyn Altshuler, MD

Jaclyn Altshuler, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2022

Residency: Baylor College of Medicine Program (Anesthesiology – General) – Baylor College of Medicine

Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio

WashU/St. Louis Children’s Hospital immediately stood out to me. I spoke with attendings, current fellows, and graduates. Everyone I spoke with responded with vibrant positivity and praise for the program. Complex cases, career development, and outstanding training in regional anesthesia were among the many reported strengths of the program. Most of all, a supportive and collegiate environment was consistently mentioned.

After completing the fellowship here, I am pleased to say that all of my expectations were met and exceeded. The faculty are especially welcoming and foster an extremely motivating and enjoyable work environment. In addition, the department makes a point to get to know everyone and the faculty host events throughout the year for everyone to get together.

Outside of work, St. Louis has been a hidden gem. There are many beautiful trails for running, biking, hiking, and being outside.”

Tamanna Chang,  MD

Tamanna Chang, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2022

Residency: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Medical School: Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

“Having graduated from residency from WashU, I chose to stay for fellowship due to the wonderful experience I had during residency. The faculty, co-fellows, acuity, wide variety of cases made it all worth it! Outside of work, I am a foodie who loves trying new restaurants/different cuisines, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends/family.”

Megan Dewey, MD

Megan Dewey, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2022

Residency: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine

“Staying at St. Louis Children’s Hospital for fellowship was an easy decision for me. As a residency graduate of WashU, I felt confident I would receive the best clinical training and mentorship by staying in St. Louis. My opportunities to perform fellow index cases even as a resident demonstrated that SLCH has not only an abundance and variety of cases but also the appropriate support to learn and grow. I have been lucky enough to develop mentor relationships with SLCH faculty which I know will last far beyond residency, and it has been a rewarding transition to remain with these teachers as a fellow.

Outside of the hospital walls, St. Louis is an ideal place to call home. It’s convenient and affordable to purchase a home, which my husband and I did in 2019; we now have a one-year-old Labrador and close friends throughout our neighborhood. We love taking our dog to the local park, walking to restaurants in downtown Clayton, and hosting dinners (mostly taco nights) for our friends.”

Class of 2021
Cy Chavez, MD

Cy Chavez, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2021

Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

“St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been an incredible place to work. The faculty are all very welcoming and friendly. They are very focused on creating the next batch of excellent fellows by taking the time to teach and explain their thought processes throughout the day. Cardiac/Thoracic cases are plentiful and complex. The cardiac staff (on the anesthesia, surgical, perfusion, and nursing side) are all a pleasure to work with during your rotation. You’ll also get a great dedicated regional experience. The fact that the surgeons and OR staff get to know you by your first name really shows the cohesive nature of this hospital. Overall, I’ve had a positive time during my stay here at WashU. The attendings, co-fellows, and hospital staff have all been helpful and I am glad to have chosen this institution.”

Jessica Dominic, MD

Jessica Dominic, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2021

Residency: University of Michigan

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch

“I made the decision to pursue pediatric anesthesiology early on during residency. When it came time to choose a fellowship program, WashU/St. Louis Children’s stood out as a strong academic program that fostered fellow education, especially in the realm of career planning and goal-driven projects. There were many programs that fit the bill when it came to case complexity and numbers, however, WashU did so in an especially collegiate and supportive environment. Now, a month into fellowship, I am impressed by the thought and effort put into ensuring that fellows are utilized for complex and unique cases. Furthermore, fellows gain strong training in the field of regional anesthesia as the techniques employed at St. Louis Children’s are some of the most innovative in pediatric perioperative pain management. WashU truly offers strong and well-rounded training in pediatric anesthesiology.

As a bonus, St. Louis is a beautiful city to call home. It has so much to offer adults, children, nature lovers, foodies, and the like. My husband and I have enjoyed exploring the various neighborhoods in the city on long bike rides and hikes. We have also had some of our favorite meals at restaurants in the area.”

Anna Jade Hartzog, MD

Anna Jade Hartzog, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2021

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine

“I came to WashU for the people. When I interviewed for the fellowship, I immediately felt at home and knew that I would be supported in my goals in addition to receiving excellent training. The training was impeccable, and I left well-prepared for my next venture: pediatric cardiac anesthesiology fellowship. I am so grateful for my time at WashU!”

Gregory Miller, MD

Gregory Miller, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2021

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City

“As a St. Louis native who completed residency at Washington University, choosing St. Louis Children’s Hospital for fellowship was an easy choice. I had the advantage of working with previous fellows for the last three years. All of them had great things to say about the program and several stayed on as faculty, demonstrating the strength of the program and the department. The faculty are very dedicated to fellow development and are enjoyable to work with. The didactics at St. Louis Children’s is already strong, and future classes can look forward to more components being added by the education faculty, as early as this year. In addition to the clinical and educational strength, staying with Washington University offered me the opportunity to continue pediatric anesthesiology research projects I started during residency. For those interested in research, Washington University offers plenty of opportunities. For those focused on other aspects of fellowship opportunities,  St. Louis Children’s offers academic roles in education, QI, leadership, and subspecialty training. 

As a mid-sized city, there are plenty of activities to occupy your free time in St. Louis. Sports are taken very seriously here. For those who like outdoor activities, there are several bike trails (both road and gravel), plenty of hiking spots, and the hospital overlooks Forest Park. Breweries and outdoor restaurants are everywhere, especially in the Central West End surrounding the hospital. For those with families, my fiancée and I have taken advantage of the affordable cost of living and purchased a house with a large backyard (for the dog). No matter what hobbies you enjoy, St. Louis has you covered.”

Stephanie Shin, DO

Stephanie Shin, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2021

Residency: Saint Louis University

Medical School: AT Still University – Kirksville

“Collegiality is one of the most important aspects of the work environment for me. The friendliness that I sensed during the fellowship interview is real in the anesthesia department in addition to the OR staff. I chose St. Louis Children’s Hospital because I wanted a comprehensive program that emphasizes pediatric regional and cardiothoracic anesthesia. After only a couple of months, this program has already helped me become a stronger anesthesiologist while building relationships with people who are down-to-earth and have a good sense of humor.

St. Louis has an awesome food scene and many activities (e.g., Forest Park!) for people in all stages of their lives. Having completed residency in St. Louis, this big city with a smaller city vibe has really grown on me. This fellowship program follows this pattern as I continue to meet good people and make some life-long friendships.”

Class of 2020
Renee Doherty, MD

Renee Doherty, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2020

Residency: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine

“I chose WashU because of the faculty and the previous fellows that I met. When I came to interview everyone was very open and welcoming. Their commitment to education in a busy education system was impressive and it felt like they knew me so well from the minute I arrived. The fact that they had dedicated time to unite the incoming fellows made me feel like I was very important to the program as an individual.”

Ahalya Kodali, MD

Ahalya Kodali, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2020

Residency: Boston Medical Center

Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine

Kavya Narayana Reddy, MD

Kavya Narayana Reddy, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2020

Residency: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Medical School: M.S. Ramaiah Medical College

“My relationship with Washington University in St. Louis goes all the way back to 2011 when I worked as a Clinical Researcher in the Pediatrics Anesthesiology department. I had just arrived in the US from India. I felt very welcomed in the department by the amazing people around me. After a couple of years, I moved to the east coast to do my residency at Rutgers. When the time came for choosing a fellowship, I knew where exactly I would like my training to be.

I chose the Pediatric Anesthesia fellowship program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital because I knew that it offers a very good mix of clinical and research opportunities. I knew I would be able to train in handling complex cases. I also knew I could develop skills in regional anesthesia, which I am especially interested in. I knew I could learn from the very best faculty and co-fellows.

During my training at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, I learned a lot from my faculty, co-fellows, and the APRNs. I had a wonderful experience and training with a very sick population, complex cases, and loads of index cases. I loved my pain rotations, as they made me very confident with acute pain management and regional anesthesia skills. Outside of work, I enjoyed the huge central park, restaurants in the Central West End, and loads of fun activities for my then 6-year-old.

I am currently working as an assistant professor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, a stand-alone children’s hospital for the state of Arkansas, with level 1 trauma, NICU, PICU, and burns unit. Training at St. Louis Children’s Hospital has made my journey as a faculty very smooth and made me confident in my skills. If I had to choose my fellowship journey again, I would not hesitate to be back in St. Louis, I love the place and the people.”

Pedro Rios Morales, MD

Pedro Rios Morales, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2020

Residency: Walter Reed Military Medical Center

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico

“Going back to training after many years as an attending entails a big investment in many different aspects. It took me very little time in this fellowship to see that my decision was a good one. The faculty in this program are fully committed to the fellow’s education, pursuit of academic and research interests, and areas of interest. As fellows, all doors are literally open for you to discuss questions, concerns, management strategies in difficult cases and personal anecdotes with all attendings, regardless of experience level and leadership position. Most of the attendings feel like mentors, and you can feel their enthusiasm about your progression as a fellow. Even though my academic interests are regional anesthesia, cardiac anesthesiology for non-cardiac cases, and solid organ transplantation, there are plenty of opportunities to excel in many other areas. The pain and regional experience is robust. The cardiac attendings are one of the most approachable and helpful educators of the group. And I dare you to find a more collegial surgical suite environment like our cardiac and cath lab rooms. Also, the faculty as a group are very collegial amongst each other and go the extra mile to help each other, and that is very refreshing to see as a fellow. My fellowship class feels like a family, and independence is given for conflict resolution amongst each other in the many variables of life as a fellow. Regardless if you’re married or single, with human or fur babies, St. Louis has plenty to offer outside of the hospital, without the hassles of a big city. Good food, recreational activities (most of them free!) and kid-friendly places are in abundance. The fellowship program is a reflection of the city: a small big place with plenty of good people.”

Minna  Wang, MD

Minna Wang, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2020

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School: University of Washington

I was fortunate to train at Wash U/St. Louis Children’s Hospital for residency. The delightful and welcoming environment drew me to pediatric anesthesiology. I had an open mind in terms of fellowship location during CA 2 year. After a half dozen of interviews from coast to coast, I decided to choose WashU again for my pediatric fellowship. I had no doubt it would provide excellent training in terms of caseload, complexity, and research opportunities. In addition to a well-balanced curriculum, what made WashU stand out for me was its dedication to fostering a culture for learning and camaraderie. Six months into fellowship, I truly feel at home. The department’s quick response to our feedback and needs for both professional and personal growth is evident. Coming from Seattle, I have loved living in St. Louis for the past 4 and a half years. It has the convenience that is typical for a smaller city, but at the same time has plenty to offer. I remember being initially surprised by my easy commute, affordable housing, great food, and fun cultural scene. Also, being situated in the Midwest means it is not too far from anywhere! Being a traveler at heart outside medicine, my husband and I have been able to visit 15 countries and many midwestern states during residency and fellowship. I consider myself lucky to have found a place that offers superb training and allows me to pursue my personal passions.”

Class of 2019
Sheila Dimaano, DO

Sheila Dimaano, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2019

Residency: University of Connecticut

Medical School: University of New England

“What stood out to me about Washington University is the faculty’s dedication to quality improvement, excellence, and lifelong learning. The program is centered around the fellows’ education and also provides support and mentorship to guide us to our desired career paths.

My academic interests include regional, cardiac, and ambulatory anesthesia. Doing different types of cases every day excites me, and this fellowship gives me that variety. Additionally, the welcoming atmosphere and the mutual respect amongst the staff of St. Louis Children’s Hospital is very reflective of the Midwest which I have come to love.

Saint Louis has a lot to offer when it comes to date nights, live music events, dog parks, and happy hours with the fellows. The highlights of my year so far are taking the train downtown to Cardinals games, going dancing at the Grove, scootering to the zoo, and canoeing in the middle of Forest Park. Each neighborhood in Saint Louis has its own vibe, and there is something here for everyone.”

Jonathan Harris, MD

Jonathan Harris, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2019

Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

“When I was determining which place to do fellowship, what was paramount for me was finding a program with quality training that would leave me confident that I could handle the rigors of attending life as a pediatric anesthesiologist. I chose Washington University in St. Louis because of the combination of challenging cases and diversity, as well as its positive structural makeup. The program stood out to me as both aggressive and challenging, but at the same time responsive to the needs and desires of the fellows. From the very first interview I felt the warm welcoming vibe given by the staff at WashU as well as the distinct impression that they were not only colleagues, but genuinely enjoyed working together. I knew it would be an excellent training environment.

My academic/clinical interests lie in challenging cases, difficult airway management and access, and regional anesthesia. I’m looking forward to the challenge that awaits after the completion of my training here. I think that my training here will leave me prepared to begin that journey.

My favorite thing about St. Louis (so far) is the discoveries. Coming from the east coast, I was unsure of what Midwest living would entail. St. Louis has far outstripped my expectations.  The more I’ve looked, the more there is to find and love about this city. Whether it is hanging out in the Grove, perusing Cherokee street, or hunting for under-the-radar eateries and restaurants, St. Louis has plenty of fun activities to check out. Forest park is a vast and beautiful hangout spot with free museums, the zoo,  and a plethora of cool events going on all of the time. There is plenty to do here if you are willing to do a little exploring.”

Maura Livengood McKinney, MD

Maura Livengood McKinney, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2019

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Medical School: McGovern Medical School

“I am originally from Lockhart, a small town south of Austin, known as the Barbecue Capital of Texas. I pursued a liberal arts education at Rhodes College where I studied chemistry and art history. I returned to Texas for medical school at UT Houston. Initially, I considered a career in surgery, but quickly realized anesthesia was a better choice. I moved to Nashville to train at Vanderbilt. I was enthralled by my pediatric anesthesia experience and decided to apply for the fellowship ten days into my first rotation. When evaluating fellowship programs, I sought a program that not only offered excellent clinical training but one that would allow time to be academically productive. I also wanted a program that would encourage camaraderie with my co-fellows, but not let me get lost in a crowd. When I interviewed at Washington University in St. Louis, it just felt right. The faculty and staff were incredibly welcoming. I was particularly impressed with the fellowship research weekend in the spring that allows fellows to start thinking about their academic projects prior to fellowship. Now that I have started fellowship, I am thrilled with my decision to train at Washington University in St. Louis/St. Louis Children’s Hospital. I feel confident that upon completion of my fellowship I will be a competent pediatric anesthesiologist. I am passionate about resident education and mentoring trainees. My clinical interests include fetal anesthesia, acute pediatric pain management, and liver transplantation. My husband and I are enjoying our time in St. Louis. There are so many different things to do within a 15 minute drive of our condo. We are quite fond of craft beer and frequent the Schlafly Brewery regularly.”

Anita Mathew, MD

Anita Mathew, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2019

Residency: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago

“I feel enormously lucky to be part of the SLCH family for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the program emphasizes a good working relationship with the attendings. I love the jovial and supportive nature of all of the pediatric anesthesia attendings. It is rare to go a morning lecture without someone telling a lighthearted joke and the room erupting with smiles. I definitely feel that the program gives priority to the fellows in terms of case experience and procedures, and our program director ensures that our interests in particular areas are met. We are continuously encouraged to excel in research and quality improvement and are provided time outside of the OR to do so. Though pediatric anesthesia has always appealed to me, I did become interested in pain management during residency. As soon as our program director found this out, he put me in contact with several pediatric pain faculty. Ample opportunities to excel in pain research and clinical care were provided. Our pain service provides several regional anesthesia techniques that I never encountered during residency including scalp, erector spinae, superficial cervical nerve, and superzygomatic maxillary nerve blocks. I feel very confident that I will leave fellowship having a strong foundation in perioperative pain management in the pediatric patient. I am a proud Chicagoan, so it is hard for me to admit that I love St. Louis. It has the perks of a trendy city without the annoying crowds or lines. I’ve been enjoying living in the Central West End which is an easy walk to work, with a lot of surrounding food options. I didn’t know many people in St. Louis before moving here, and fortunately the Washington University/SLU area creates a big community of young professionals. It has only been a couple of months since moving here and I’m already considering staying!”

Tess  Murray-Torres, MD

Tess Murray-Torres, MD

Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology; Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2019

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School: University of Chicago

“During my anesthesia residency here at Washington University in St. Louis, I had the great fortune of experiencing firsthand the welcoming and invigorating environment of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This environment is what drew me to pediatric anesthesia in the first place and what convinced me to pursue a career in this field. From the very first days of my training as a junior resident, I quickly appreciated the extent to which the faculty here are dedicated to achieving excellence in resident and fellow education and patient care. After a taste of a few “fellow-level” cases as a CA-2, I knew that pursuing my training here would expose me to a variety of challenging clinical pathologies and prepare me to independently manage the full spectrum of health and disease in pediatric patients. My experience to date in fellowship has confirmed all of my expectations from residency. My research as a resident focused on dissemination and implementation of novel technologies in the perioperative setting, in particular, I helped to develop a telemedicine-based decision support system for the operating room called the Anesthesiology Control Tower. As I begin a path towards further training in pediatric cardiac anesthesia, I am starting to explore clinical research related to topics such as intraoperative management of patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation. Whatever a person’s clinical or academic interests may be, Washington University in St. Louis/St. Louis Children’s and the faculty here have the resources to help any trainee launch the career of their choosing. Having grown up in Minnesota, I have always appreciated the friendliness and atmosphere here in St. Louis. I completed medical school in Chicago, and I can appreciate a city such as St. Louis that manages to offer a broad range of activities without the traffic, the cost, and hectic pace common in some bigger cities. While many fellows live in the Central West End, my wife and I have a lovely home just a few miles south of the medical campus that suits all of our needs perfectly. Whatever our hobbies may be, from trail running to poetry, literature, and theater, St. Louis has always provided an abundance of opportunities that allow both of us to follow our passions.”

Class of 2018
York Jiao, MD

York Jiao, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2018

Residency: University of Connecticut

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Chyong-Jy Joyce Liu, DO

Chyong-Jy Joyce Liu, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2018

Residency: Albany Medical College

Medical School: Michigan State University of Osteopathic Medicine

Irem Kaplan, MD

Irem Kaplan, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2018

Residency: SUNY Upstate Medical University

Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine

Zachary Kleiman, MD

Zachary Kleiman, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2018

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Andrew Oster, MD

Andrew Oster, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2018

Residency: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Class of 2017
Anne Kancel, DO

Anne Kancel, DO

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: Baystate Medical Center

Medical School: Kansas City University

“I was immediately drawn to the Wash U fellowship at the start of my interview day. People were welcoming, and approachable, and the case variety they offered was large. I have now been practicing pediatric anesthesia at a major Children’s hospital for 5 years. Wash U prepared me for this task with what they offer in clinical experience and didactics. I would hands down choose WashU again if I had to do it again. I made lifelong relationships with my teachers turned into colleagues, and I am forever thankful for all they have given me.”

Matthew Lilien, MD

Matthew Lilien, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: Upstate Medical University

Medical School: American University of the Caribbean

James McCulloch, MD

James McCulloch, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: University of Arizona

Medical School: University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Prabhat Mishra, MD

Prabhat Mishra, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: Washinton University in St. Louis

Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Roshanak Mofidi, MD

Roshanak Mofidi, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: New York Methodist Hospital

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Chiatra Mukundan, MD

Chiatra Mukundan, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: Washington University School of Medicine

Medical School: All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Sadiya Shamim, MBBS

Sadiya Shamim, MBBS

Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellow, Class of 2017

Residency: Boston Medical Center

Medical School: Sindh Medical College