Irakli Shengelia

Department of Anesthesiology APP of the Quarter: September 2026
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2021

Irakli Shengelia was born in Georgia when it was part of the USSR.  After graduating from secondary school, he served in the Soviet Army as a medic prior to attending Tbilisi State Medical University where he studied medicine. He immigrated to the United States in 1993 before completing his studies. After arriving in the U.S., he enrolled in a nursing program at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa, where he received his LPN diploma in 1996. In 2002 he completed an Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in liberal studies at Excelsior College in Albany, NY. As a nurse, he worked in multiple areas including IV therapy, stepdown units, ICU, ER, and OR, gaining vast knowledge and experience.

In 2005 he was accepted to the Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program which he successfully completed in 2008. As a Physician Assistant he worked at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Critical Care and Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants, Inc. He joined the WashU Medicine Department of Anesthesiology in 2014, and he has been working with the Division of Critical Care Medicine while caring for critically ill patients across many units and hospitals within BJC system. Currently, he spends most of his time at Christian Hospital Northeast and Progress West Hospital.

Irakli is very grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing people while doing something he loves. Every day after work he looks forward to going home where he can spend time with his family. He has been married to Rebecca for 30 years. He is a proud father to three sons and a proud grandfather to one grandson.

Irakli’s hobbies include international travel, playing soccer, chess, piano, listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends and family while sampling good food and wine.

Irakli was named APP of the Quarter in September 2026. Here is what his nominator had to say:

“Irakli did an exceptional job caring for a critically ill patient whose condition continued to deteriorate despite aggressive treatment. His thorough bedside ultrasound helped identify previously unrecognized intra-abdominal bleeding, a finding later supported by a significant drop in hemoglobin and escalating vasopressor requirements. Just as importantly, Irakli approached the patient’s family with thoughtfulness and compassion, helping guide a difficult conversation about transitioning to comfort-focused care. Because of his clinical judgment and compassionate care, the patient was able to spend meaningful time with family and ultimately pass away peacefully that evening.”

Congratulations, Irakli, on this department achievement!