People

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: June 2023

Waliah RaKhem is the Senior Research Administrator for the Department of Anesthesiology.  She has been in this role since 2020 and has worked in similar roles within various departments in her 20+ years with the university.  She has a Bachelor of Business from Drake University in Des Moines, IA, a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Washington University and has been a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) since 2015. Waliah is also one of the department’s Equity Champions working with the POWER office.

In her role as Senior Research Administrator, Waliah helps to guide her team’s focus on research grant submissions for the four Research Divisions of Anesthesiology, WUPC, DoCTR, DBR and CCP.  Her and her team work directly with Principal Investigators to ensure that they feel fully supported before, during and after the grant submission process. Being an Equity Champion allows for Waliah to offer her help in furthering the Schools mission in achieving a supportive environment for all who work here. “It’s work that is very close to my heart.”

A native St. Louisan, Waliah currently resides in University City. An avid movie watcher, she enjoys exercising, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Medical School: University of Michigan
Internship: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

Medical School: M.S. Ramaiah Medical College
Internship: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

Admin: Ashley Banks

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: January 2025

Lesley Rao, MD, serves as Division Chief for Pain Management at WashU Medicine. Over the years, she has held multiple roles, including intern, resident, anesthesiologist, fellow, and Fellowship Program Director. She now splits her time among the outpatient chronic pain clinic, the inpatient acute pain service, anesthesiology in the CAM operating rooms, and administrative responsibilities.

Outside of medicine, Lesley is a passionate runner and an avid audiobook “reader.” She enjoys time with her husband and their three energetic boys. In addition, she coaches her youngest son’s second-grade basketball team, The Mangoes, where the season features memorable quotes like, “I’m really good at shooting, but not good at scoring,” and “can we work on dunking and 3-pointers?”

Medical School: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Internship: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Residency: WashU Medicine — Anesthesiology

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2019

David is a second year resident originally from St. Louis, MO who completed medical school at Saint Louis University. He is still undecided about what field to pursue a fellowship in, but he has enjoyed exploring different subspecialties during his CA-1 year. Outside of work, David enjoys brewing, cycling, hiking, and traveling. Currently, he is planning a trip to India for 2020.