Profiled

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2019

Sunny is a resident physician in her third year of training in the Department of Anesthesiology. As a resident in the ASAP research track, she is looking forward to starting her clinical fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesia next year. Her research interests are in the areas of clinical informatics and quality improvement. Outside the hospital, Sunny enjoys cycling, hiking, and reading fantasy novels.

Department of Anesthesiology – APP of the Quarter: January 2021

Becki Loveless, PA-C graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2000. She has worked in a variety of fields including orthopedics, emergency medicine, CT surgery, and most recently made the transition to critical care in July 2019. She currently works in the CTICU at BJH and in the ED at Missouri Baptist.

Becki has been active in both state and national PA organizations, currently serving as the HOD representative for MoAPA at the national AAPA conference. In addition, she has traveled throughout the country as a lecturer for the AAPA on responsible prescribing of opioids as well as the opioid epidemic. Becki was honored with the designation of Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA for outstanding dedication and achievement in the PA profession in 2015.  In her free time, she spends time being a sports mom for her two boys and traveling the world when there isn't a pandemic going on.

Becki was named the Q4 2020 APP of the Quarter! She has been in the COVID-19 unit working nights for many months without a break. She has been a wonderful resource to her colleagues regarding caring for ECMO patients, and she consistently recognizes and helps out her team when others are overwhelmed with their workloads.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2020

John is a recent graduate Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner working with the Division of Critical Care in the Surgical ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the ICU at Christian Hospital, and the Tele-ICU. He was raised in central Illinois and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Nursing from SIUE, moved to St. Louis to work as a Trauma-Neuro ICU RN at a Level I trauma center, and eventually attended Goldfarb School of Nursing to graduate with an M.S.N. His favorite aspect of nursing is the privilege of meeting and connecting with critically ill patients and their families while assisting in optimizing their chances of a safe, speedy and maximal recovery. He's forever amazed by the courage, humor, and strength in adversity displayed by ICU patients and their families, in addition to the coworkers staffing the units.

John's favorite professional interest so far, aside from the privilege of working on a bedside team caring for the critically ill, included leading a departmental Practice, Quality and Research Professional Governance Council. Professional Governance provided a conduit for a motivated and talented interdisciplinary mix of RNs, hospital leadership, and interdepartmental representatives to work together to bring Quality Improvement and Evidence-Based Practice to the ICUs with the primary goal of improving patient outcomes. Topics of personal interest include spinal cord injury care and education, therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest, fever control and shivering in the ICU, and the A-F ICU liberation bundle.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife, Kayla (who is also an NP), going on walks with their 90-lb AmStaff “Gryffin,” reading, and working out. He's fallen in love with St. Louis thanks to its delicious food, beautiful parks, and wonderful zoo and museums.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2022

Herman is a current resident physician in the Department of Anesthesiology. Prior to residency, he studied Biology and Economics at Washington University in St. Louis before attending the University of Chicago where he obtained his MD and MBA with a concentration in operations management. He has a passion for quality improvement, patient safety, and medical device development. He also takes special pride in ensuring each of his patients feels comfortable and confident in his care before every operative case.

Outside of the hospital, you can often find him trying out new restaurants with his wife, playing tennis with friends, gardening in the backyard of his CWE home, or riding his bike through Forest Park!

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: June 2024

Devin Macklin graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. In the summer of 2023, he participated in the ASSURE Program, gaining valuable insight into research and anesthesiology. Following ASSURE, Devin continued to work in the department as a research technician in the Pradhan lab, where he assists in investigating novel therapeutics for migraine. In his free time, Devin loves to listen to music and podcasts, work out, and create via mediums such as writing, music production, and photography.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2022

Jennifer (Jen) is a staffing administrator for the Department of Anesthesiology. She has worked for WashU, and the department, for a little over six years. In her role, Jen works closely with daily schedulers and clinical leaders to ensure that OR staffing and operations run smoothly on a daily basis. She is also the trauma fellowship coordinator for the department, working closely with the trauma anesthesia director for all things trauma.

Jen has two girls, 11 and 7, and a boxer mix, that keep her busy when she’s not working.  She enjoys being outside, attending sporting events, and watching movies.

Department of Anesthesiology – APP of the Quarter: June 2024

Emily Ferrara Mandernach is an acute care nurse practitioner who joined the Department of Anesthesiology in July 2022. She graduated from Saint Louis University with her Master of Science in Nursing in December of 2021 where she was awarded the Leadership in Nursing award and Summa Cum Laude for her academic achievements. Prior to starting at Washington University, Emily worked as a critical care nurse in the Surgical, Trauma, and Burn ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Her clinical time in the ICU has fueled her passion for critical care and continues to mold her into a strong and compassionate advanced practice provider. Working for Washington University has provided her with the opportunity to engage in various learning environments, participate in high-intensity interventions, and make vigilant decisions that impact a patient’s hospital journey.

Emily’s contribution to the profession extends beyond the ICU. She is also a clinical instructor at Saint Louis University and teaches nursing students hands-on training and provides real-world guidance. Additionally, Emily works as a contributing author and editor of various nursing exam review books and materials for Springer Publishing Company. She continues to write on topics related to her current cardiovascular expertise. Her dissemination of knowledge to others will continue to impact evidence-based care for cardiovascular patients and exemplifies the role of the nurse practitioner as an expert clinician and educator.

Outside of the hospital, Emily enjoys hiking adventures and traveling with her husband, Josh, visiting her family on the East Coast, cooking, and spending time with her dog, Louie, a Yorkshire Terrier mix.

Emily was named Q2 2024 APP of the Quarter!

Her nominator says, “Emily consistently demonstrates exceptional qualities that make her a standout member of the team. Her kindness, helpfulness, and extensive knowledge base have significantly energized and uplifted our group. She approaches every interaction with genuine warmth and empathy, creating a positive and welcoming environment for both colleagues and patients. Her ability to make everyone feel valued and heard is a testament to her compassionate nature.”

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2020

Bruno was born in Florida and moved to California when he was 11. He completed his undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Neuroscience at the University of California, Los Angeles before completing his PhD in Bioengineering and a medical doctorate both at the University of California, San Diego. During his MS4 year, he came to Washington University to complete an away rotation in cardiac anesthesiology during which he was constantly having to explain why someone from California would want to move here. It was the easiest question posed to him; the people and the opportunities in the department are amazing. He recommends an away rotation here to every medical student reading this.

Bruno considers himself fortunate to have matched here, and even more fortunate to serve as a chief resident alongside Hawa Abubakar and Dean Thorsen. He is looking forward to his upcoming fellowships in critical care and adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology, both at WashU. Outside of work, he enjoys home improvement projects (he finished his basement during his CA1 year) and spending time with his wife and 1.5 year old daughter. He and his wife are excited to welcome a son in July.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2020

Jenny is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Pediatric Division. Her role is with the Inpatient Anesthesia and Difficult Airway Services. She loves the opportunity to work with kids and their families while inpatient. She enjoys a wide variety of patients she sees throughout the whole hospital. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her husband, Chris, daughters, Ava and Lucy and dog, Clark. She loves to camp, hike, read, and hang out with friends. She is happy to be in Pediatrics and working with a great group of people!

Department of Anesthesiology – FAS Employee of the Quarter: March 2026

Kelli has been in the Department of Anesthesiology since starting with WashU Medicine five years ago, and she is very dedicated to her job. She enjoys helping the team when they have questions or need help resolving complex issues. Outside of work, she loves traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband, kids, and two poodles.