People

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2024

Divya is a CA-II resident in the Department of Anesthesiology. She completed her medical school and anesthesiology training in India before moving to St. Louis. Prior to joining the team as a resident, she worked as a post-doctoral research associate in the Anesthesiology Control Tower (ACT). She considers herself very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to train here as well as having mentors who are interested in her professional and personal growth.

Apart from working in the operating rooms, she has a passion for research and wants to pursue a career in academic anesthesiology after residency. While her whole family is back in India, she lives in St Louis with her husband. In her spare time, she likes reading fiction, doing home improvement projects, and going on walks with her husband. She is excited to go to India this fall for her sister’s wedding!

Fun Fact about Divya: She loves listening to true crime podcasts and watching reality TV.

Medical School: University of Virginia
Internship: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2026

Jake is a Clinical Informaticist within the Department of Anesthesiology, where he has served since May 2023.

He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing and advertising from Webster University, and a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science from Northwest Missouri State University.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys cooking, traveling, photography, playing golf, and spending time with his wife a daughter.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: November 2022

Julia has been a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with the Department of Anesthesia for over two years. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Saint Louis University (SLU), while also playing on the SLU Women’s Soccer team. Additionally, while in nursing school Julia tutored anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology for nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and pre-med students. After receiving her BSN, Julia worked in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, as well as caring for patients perioperatively with the St. Louis Pain Consultants at the Mid America Spine Center.

Julia received her Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, (DNAP) at Missouri State University School of Anesthesia in Springfield, Missouri. While in CRNA school, she was a recipient of The Crabtree Family Nurse Anesthesia Scholarship, which is awarded to students that represent excellence and outstanding achievements in anesthesia. At Missouri State, Julia completed her capstone and doctorate studies focusing on multimodal approaches to pain management. She was chosen to present her capstone and dissertation at the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MOANA) Conference to Missouri CRNAs and SRNAs.

Currently, Julia works in the CRNA float pool and practices anesthesia throughout all the PODs on both south and north campuses at BJH and BJWC. She recently joined the WashU OB team and expanded her practice into labor and delivery.

Julia has always had a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge, which is one of the main reasons she chose to be a member of WashU's Anesthesia Department. She loves the teaching facility and enjoys precepting and working with SRNAs and residents, as well as being a part of a team focused on research and evidence-based practice.

Julia was born and raised in St. Louis. She has five siblings (four sisters and one brother) and is a loving aunt to her four nephews and niece. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, running, hiking, walking her dog, and spending time with friends and family. You can find her enjoying Italian cuisine on the Hill or at her favorite ice cream spot, Ted Drewes.

Medical School: University of Washington
Internship: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara, California

Medical School: University of Illinois - Chicago
Internship: Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2022

Melissa Milbrandt is the business manager for the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology and the Division of Perioperative Medicine. She's been with the department for three great years. Melissa is a St. Louis native and completed her undergraduate degree at WashU. After completing an administrative fellowship in Denver following graduate school, she decided to return home to WashU and join the department of Anesthesiology.

In her current role, Melissa is responsible for providing business and operational leadership for her divisions, including strategic planning and financial and operations management, and supporting the development of people, programs, and initiatives. Melissa feels very lucky to work with outstanding clinicians and staff in both divisions and throughout the department of Anesthesiology. She loves to spend time with her family and friends in her free time, travel, and be active, especially to be out of doors with her Brittany Spaniel, Tillie.