People

Medical School:  A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: University of Connecticut

Department of Anesthesiology FAS Employee of the Quarter: January 2025

Originally from St. Louis, Katie earned her undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State University. After, she moved to Nebraska and worked as a ministry partner on campus and in various financial positions. Five years later, she moved back to St. Louis and began working for WashU Medicine in November 2019. Katie, now a Grant Specialist II, joined the Department of Anesthesiology in July 2022. She has a background in the research administrative process with both pre- and post-award experience. Katie and her husband, Ben, have a spunky and beautiful daughter. Katie loves meeting new people, board games, swimming, and video games.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: April 2021

Preeta is from India and spent her childhood in a historic town named Chettinad, known for its cuisine, and she spent her school years in an Irish boarding school.

Her medical journey commenced in India, and she completed medical school and residency in anesthesiology at CMC, Vellore. In pursuit of career advancement, she traveled across the world to Minneapolis in 2009 and worked as a postdoctoral associate doing animal research at the University of Minnesota. She completed a second anesthesia residency at the University of Pennsylvania and a Pediatric Anesthesia fellowship at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and never left.

Preeta is currently an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Director of the Fetal Anesthesia Program and has helped develop the program. Her other area of specialized focus is in pediatric liver transplants. On the academic forefront, she is passionate about medical education and simulation and is the clinical immersion leader for the new medical student curriculum, which launched this year. She enjoys teaching and working with residents, fellows, and CRNA’s.

Her husband, Ige, works in Infectious Disease at WashU, and their 5-year-old, Diya, is spirited and keeps their age in check! She enjoys tennis and is happy to orchestrate a “Wash U Grand slam” for those interested. Hiking and traveling are favorites too.

Admin: Amber Spies