Profiled

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2025

Vinny Francio is a clinical instructor in the Division of Pain Medicine at the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. Born and raised in Brazil in an Italian family, he, like most kids in Brazil, first dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. When that didn’t work out, he pursued music with hopes of becoming a rockstar, but that path also took a different turn. His journey eventually led him to healthcare, first as a chiropractor before moving to the U.S. 15 years ago to further his education. He earned a Master’s in Clinical Research and completed his residency and pain fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Now specializing in the comprehensive management of spine and chronic pain disorders, Dr. Francio takes a multidisciplinary approach while incorporating advanced minimally invasive procedures. Since joining WashU Pain Center in October 2024, he has introduced innovative pain interventions to enhance patient care and advance medical education. Passionate about academic medicine, he values the opportunity to combine clinical practice, research, and teaching while mentoring the next generation of pain specialists.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Francio enjoys traveling and frequently lectures at national and international pain conferences, combining his love for education and traveling. When not in clinic, in procedures, or in the OR, he finds time to indulge his lifelong passions—playing soccer, guitar, and drums in his spare time. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and their two horses, supporting her equestrian hunter-jumper activities.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: November 2020

Ben is one of the chief residents in the Department of Anesthesiology. He completed his undergraduate training in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, got his Masters in the History of Medicine from Oxford University, and received his MD from Columbia University.

He spent a year working for the CDC in Botswana after graduating from college and before receiving his Masters, where his research focused on novel ways to diagnose tuberculosis in HIV positive patients. Ben and his wife Hannah (OBGYN) couples matched at Washington University and have made a very happy life here, meeting some of their best friends in their respective residencies and thriving in the rich and challenging clinical environment at WashU.

Ben has served on the Resident Education Committee for the past three years and is passionate about resident education. He plans to pursue a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts next year.

In his spare time, Ben is an avid runner and has run numerous marathons and half marathons. He also enjoys cycling, spending time with his outstanding co-residents, and reading. He is currently on a Civil War and early American History bender and would love any recommendations!

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: June 2020

Karen is a Senior Research Coordinator in the Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR). She has worked for Washington University for 19 years, starting as a research assistant with the Department of Psychiatry. She joined DoCTR in 2008, with a dual appointment in Neurology, and transitioned to DoCTR full-time in 2012. Karen specializes in the use of Quantitative Sensory Testing for pain management studies and is currently coordinating a study to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. She enjoys spending time outside of work with family and friends, at the batting cage with her nephews, and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals. She hasn’t missed a home opener in 10+ years so you know where she will be on April 2nd! GO CARDS!

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2020

Bradley recently transitioned to a new role as an instructor in the Division of Critical Care and in the Division of Clinical and Translational Research. He cares for patients in the department's various surgical intensive care units and in the eICU. His research interests include the prevention of postoperative delirium and the application of artificial intelligence to improve patient care before, during, and after surgery.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and completed his undergraduate training in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He moved to St. Louis in 2010 to attend medical school at Washington University, and he has been involved with clinical research in the Department of Anesthesiology since 2011. He trained in the department's Academic Scholars Advancement Program (ASAP) from 2015-2020, which included his anesthesiology residency, critical care medicine fellowship, and a T32 research fellowship.When not in the hospital, Bradley enjoys playing piano, singing, and performing musical theatre with several community groups around the St. Louis area.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: March 2024

Andi Gabaldón (they/them pronouns) serves as the assistant program coordinator on our education team. Andi assists the residency program by managing data entry projects, assisting with events, and day-to-day operations. Prior to joining the team, Andi served as a case manager for the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. While they are still learning the role, Andi is empowered by the education team to discuss D.E.I. topics and is motivated to advocate for our residents. Andi hopes to foster an inclusive environment as an assistant program coordinator here at Washu.

Outside of work, Andi is a printmaker who enjoys creating new hand carved linoleum relief prints to sell at various artisanal markets throughout St. Louis. Andi enjoys the hands-on process of printmaking and challenging themselves to make their creative visions into reality—getting to know local artists was a bonus they didn’t anticipate but very much love as well!

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2025

Kelly joined the Department of Anesthesiology in November 2018 and currently serves as the Compliance Review/Claims Analyst within the billing division. Her career at WashU includes previous roles in the departments of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Orthopedics, and Otolaryngology.

Kelly began her career as a medical coder and was quickly promoted to team lead—a role she held for five years before stepping into her current position. Her responsibilities include auditing billed charges and provider documentation, offering education and training, and running reports to identify and submit missing charges. She especially enjoys supporting her colleagues with complex cases and collaborating with providers to ensure accuracy. Passionate about the ever-evolving nature of medical coding, Kelly thrives on its challenges and continuous learning opportunities.

A lifelong resident of Millstadt, Illinois, Kelly still calls her hometown home, where she lives with two of her three daughters. She previously served as an EMT for the local ambulance service and has a soft spot for animals, sharing her home with three adopted cats: Ash, Cheeseball, and Itty Bitty. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, trying new foods, working out, and doing puzzles. She’s especially excited about an upcoming trip to Yosemite in April 2025.

Fun fact: Kelly recently became a first-time grandmother! Her daughter MacKenzie and son-in-law Weston welcomed baby Easton in July 2024.

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.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: July 2024

Lauren Gibson, MBA, MHA, has dedicated the past 10 years of her career to WashU Medicine, where she currently serves as the Director of Education & Business Administration. Known for her strategic acumen and dedication to fostering growth, Lauren plays a pivotal role in leading our education programs and administrative teams.

Outside of her professional commitments, Lauren is a fiercely devoted fan of Florida State University, her alma mater, showcasing unwavering support for the university's endeavors. She finds joy in traveling to sporting events — a recent highlight being the Monaco Grand Prix.

Beyond sports, Lauren has a deep-seated passion for international travel, seeking out destinations that offer rich culinary experiences, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking scenery. Her travels serve as both a source of relaxation and an opportunity for personal enrichment.

Lauren continues to combine her professional expertise with her personal interests, aiming to make a positive impact both professionally and through her adventurous pursuits.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2024

Amy is a Certified Medical Coder in the Department of Anesthesiology. She has over 17 years of experience in the medical field, starting her career as a program assistant in the Kidney/Liver Transplant Department at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In 2015, Amy transitioned to WashU Medicine, where she worked as a medical secretary for HPB/Transplant.

While serving as an Administrative Coordinator for Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Amy decided to pursue a medical coding certification. She achieved her certification in 2021 and began working with the Department of Surgery before joining the Department of Anesthesiology in 2023.

Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her two grandchildren. She is also passionate about painting and crafting. Together with her husband, Amy runs a small business specializing in sublimation printing. She focuses on creating ornaments, baby blankets, and tumblers, while her husband designs shirts.