Profiled

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2024

Andrea Rodriguez-Restrepo, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology working primarily at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Dr. Rodriguez-Restrepo grew up in Colombia where she finished medical school at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She then moved to Houston to pursue research at MD Anderson Cancer Center on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways. She subsequently completed her anesthesiology residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, and then completed two fellowships: one in pediatric anesthesia and then in pain medicine for adult and pediatric patients at the University of Washington in Seattle.

She is passionate about improving chronic pain in the pediatric population as well as optimizing regional anesthesia techniques and multimodal pain regimens for patients undergoing surgeries. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying new restaurants, going to concerts, and traveling.

Fun fact: She is a certified rescue diver and loves any water-related sport.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2024

Tiffany is the senior clinical research coordinator for the Ablordeppey Lab in the Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR). After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Tiffany relocated from her hometown of Peoria, IL, to attend graduate school at Saint Louis University and adopted St. Louis as her new home. She graduated in 2022 with her PhD in Public and Social Policy with a minor in Research Methodology and joined the Department of Anesthesiology the same year. In the Ablordeppey Lab, Tiffany works on using implementation science to de-implement low-value healthcare practices to improve the health outcomes of critically ill patients, especially those that leverage the use of ultrasound. She also conducts research on diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical education and social determinants of health in conjunction with the department's Office of Professional Growth & Inclusive Culture.

Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her sons, doing home improvement projects, and visiting local festivals in the St. Louis area.

Fun Fact: Tiffany once rode in an elevator with Al Hrabosky. He reported that he also has a daughter named Tiffany.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2019

Isabella was a recent chief resident in the department, graduating from residency in 2018 following medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. After graduation, she stayed on as faculty at Progress West Hospital which is a small community hospital in O’Fallon. She has enjoyed the challenge of this busy and dynamic practice which allows for a mix of supervising CRNAs and self-performing cases. She loves that each day brings a variety of cases and skill sets ranging from general anesthesia to regional blocks to labor and delivery. She is involved in clinical research looking at LMA failures and delayed extubation led by former faculty member Dr. Vannucci. Outside of work she enjoys international travels with her husband, distance running, baking and working on home improvement projects.

Department of Anesthesiology — APP of the Quarter: June 2025

Michelle Rutter, AGACNP-BC, began her nursing career in 2012 in the Emergency Department (ED) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. During her time in the ED, she served as a charge nurse and nurse educator. She earned her degree from Goldfarb School of Nursing in 2020. It was during her student rotation through the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that she discovered her passion for critical care medicine, inspired by the supportive and collaborative environment created by the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) team.

In December 2020, Michelle joined the Critical Care APP team at WashU Medicine as a new APP. Since then, she has continued to grow as a provider and has taken on the role of preceptor and mentor for incoming APPs. She finds great fulfillment in guiding new team members as they evolve from novice clinicians into confident, proficient providers.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys life on a small farm with her husband, Drew, and their two daughters, Isabelle and Ellie. Their family includes several chickens, ducks, and two dogs. Her hobbies include running, gardening, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is also currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Goldfarb School of Nursing, with plans to complete the program in 2026.

Michelle has been named the June 2025 APP of the Quarter!

Known for her humility, compassion, and team spirit, Michelle has grown into a trusted and knowledgeable provider who consistently goes above and beyond for both patients and colleagues. Her nominator praised her empathy, dedication, and ability to handle even the most challenging situations with grace. A true team player and patient advocate, Michelle is deeply valued by all who work with her.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: August 2025

Julia is a third-year anesthesiology resident at WashU Medicine. Originally from St. Louis, she completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), taking a semester off in between to teach English at an elementary school in southern Spain. She is passionate about medical education and is currently a part of the resident education committee. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading fiction, suffering through hot yoga classes, spending time with her amazing co-residents, and taking care of her many plants. She is planning on pursuing a pediatric anesthesiology fellowship after completing residency.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2020

Furqaan first started with the Department of Anesthesiology as an 18-year-old undergrad volunteering for a summer research project. He later earned his MD at the University of Missouri-Kansas City during which he elected to return to WashU and complete a one-year research training program and a Masters in Clinical Investigation. Even now as a CA3 resident, Furqaan says he’s continuously inspired by the camaraderie within the department. With his wife, Maham, Furqaan enjoys sailing and exploring hiking trails. Fun fact: He made a brief foray into journalism as part of the Olympic News Service, covering the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: October 2023

Dr. E. Aysu Salviz joined the Regional & Ambulatory Anesthesia and General Anesthesia Divisions in February 2021 as an attending anesthesiologist. She graduated from Baskent University School of Medicine in 2004 and completed her anesthesiology residency at Ankara University School of Medicine in 2009. She spent three months as an observer at Papworth Hospital in the UK after being awarded the ESAIC Fellowship Scholarship. Then, she worked as a NYSORA research fellow for one year in New York City, focusing on regional anesthesia/analgesia.

Throughout her career, Dr. Salviz has authored several articles on peripheral nerve block techniques. She worked with the NYSORA team from 2011 to 2012 and continued her research at the Department of Anesthesiology at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Turkiye, from 2013 to 2021.

Dr. Salviz is an EDRA diplomate and is actively involved in ASRA and ESRA. She also serves as an EDRA examiner and a board member. She is dedicated to teaching and has attended "Teach the Teacher/Instructor" courses. She has organized, moderated, spoken at, and instructed in various national and international meetings and cadaver/clinical regional anesthesia/analgesia workshops.

Dr. Salviz is a mother to a 10-year-old daughter, and she enjoys yoga, traveling, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: November 2019

Vijay is an instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology. His current research interest is to understand how limbic system processes pain and its associated aversive information. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading and loves trying new food. He loves playing cricket and watching NBA.

Department of Anesthesiology – APP of the Quarter: March 2024

Adam Sampson, DMSc, PA-C, is a physician assistant who joined the Department of Anesthesiology in 2017 as a new graduate. Prior to becoming a PA, Adam was a respiratory therapist and shift coordinator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH), and then a respiratory therapy supervisor at St. Louis Children’s Hospital working in the NICU on high risk neonatal transport. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy in 2007, a Master of Arts in Organizational Management in 2009, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2017, and a Doctor of Medical Science in 2021.

In his free time, you can find Adam working on his artwork (some of which is displayed in 8200 ICU), birding in places like Costa Rica, or competing in national volleyball tournaments.

Adam was named Q1 2024 APP of the Quarter!

His nominator says that he is an invaluable member of the CTI nightshift, praised for his expertise and supportiveness by both colleagues and leadership. He excels as a mentor, consistently aiding new providers and nurses. Adam's proactive approach to workflow improvements and dedication to team well-being make him a pleasure to work with, and his presence on the nightshift ensures a smoother experience for all.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2019

Jazmynn is an Accounting/Purchasing Assistant II in the business office. She joined the Department in July 2018 and has a bachelor’s degree from UMSL in business administration. Jazmynn has over 6 years of experience in the finance industry, and outside of work, she likes to read memoirs and binge watch Netflix series and stand up comedy shows.