People

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2021

Irakli Shengelia was born in Republic of Georgia, then part of USSR. He served in the Soviet Army as a medic and after his service he attended Tbilisi State Medical University where he studied medicine. He immigrated to the United States in 1993 before completing his studies. After arriving in the US, 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 program at Excelsior College in Albany NY and then his bachelor of science in liberal studies at the same college. As a nurse he worked in multiple areas including IV therapy, stepdown unit, ICU, ER, and OR gaining vast knowledge and experience.

In 2005 he was accepted to Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program which he successfully completed in 2008. He joined the Washington University Department of Anesthesia in 2014 and he has been working with the division of critical care while caring for critically ill patients across many units and hospitals within BJC system.

He always says that he is” looking forward to go to work,” but he also looks forward to going home where he can spend time with his family. He has been married to Rebecca for 25 years (they met in nursing school) and they have three sons, Nikolas, David, and Maximus. David was recently accepted to Butler University Physician Assistant program, following his father’s footsteps.

Irakli’s hobbies include playing soccer, listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

I'm Alex Shero and I have been a nurse practitioner with the SICU for almost four years.

My goals as a wellness champion are:

1. 1. Focusing on how to make individuals in our department feel included in our group

1. 1. Participating in regular self-care

1. 1. Finding new resources to promote mental health.

I am excited to support our hard-working APPs with social and wellness opportunities

Department of Anesthesiology APP of the Quarter: September 2024

Alex graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in December 2015. Shortly after, she relocated from Texas to Nashville, TN, to begin her nursing career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Neuro ICU. She completed the intensivist track of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program at Vanderbilt's School of Nursing, with a focus on care within various ICU populations.

In October 2018, Alex joined the team as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) within the Surgical and Trauma ICUs. Having grown up in a military family and moved frequently, transitioning to St. Louis, MO, presented unique challenges, fostering both personal and professional growth. Over the past two years, she has taken pride in leading the Social and Well-Being Committee, helping to create a supportive community within the group.

Since August 2023, Alex has been part of the SICU leadership team, where she initiated a mentorship program alongside co-director Teresa Hammann. Their goal is to provide new APPs with the guidance and resources needed to succeed in their roles. This summer, she had the opportunity to cross-train in the CTICUs, learning from the expertise of the providers there.

Outside of work, Alex and her spouse, Christian, live in a Victorian home with two rescue basset hounds, Pippi Longstocking and Willow Pill, as well as two cats, Kitty Purry and Elizabeth Taylor (affectionately known as Itty Bitty). Alex is also committed to maintaining hobbies such as running, yoga, sewing, and more recently, painting and ceramics.

Department of Anesthesiology FAS Employee of the Quarter: January 2020

Jean was born and raised with her three siblings in St. Louis before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her degree in Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. After 10 sunny years of living the California dream, she decided to move back to St. Louis and now resides in the city with her boyfriend, Scott.

Jean is a life-long musician having played the piano, cello, and violin from the age of four which led her to be a competitive pianist for 15 years. This experience taught her the importance of dedication, hard work, and attention to detail which has proven to be quite helpful in her position with the department.

Jean helps to build and manage the department faculty and CRNA schedules and works closely with the division chiefs, individual providers, business directors, and credentialing team to efficiently staff the adult ORs and ICUs for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Progress West Hospital, and Missouri Baptist Medical Center and 8 other ICU only locations.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her amazing & supportive boyfriend, cooking, discovering new restaurants, rooting for the Cardinals & Blues, snowboarding, yoga, and re-watching Parks & Recreation.

Medical School: AT Still University – Kirksville

Residency: Saint Louis University

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2019

Sinokuthaba (Snono) is a graduate of Mayo Clinic School of Health Science's Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Sibanda's research focus was studying patients with known and suspected obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient procedures. She earned her undergraduate nursing degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of work, she enjoys solo international travel, and "Do It Yourself" craft projects.