Benjamin Sanofsky, MD, MS Ed, instructor in anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, was selected as the recipient of the Junior Faculty Pediatric Anesthesia Research Award by the Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA) during the 2024 AUA Annual Meeting on March 22-23 in St. Louis.
The Junior Faculty Pediatric Anesthesia Research Award is presented to the top-scoring abstract submitted to the AUA Annual Meeting in the realm of pediatric anesthesia. This accolade specifically recognizes the achievements of early-stage faculty members within the first six years of their appointment at the instructor or assistant professor level in an academic anesthesiology department. As part of the honor, Sanofsky received a certificate at the meeting, along with a $500 prize.
Sanofsky’s abstract, “The Use of Personalized Music to Decrease Pediatric Emergence Agitation: A Multicenter Pilot Study,” delves into the meaningful integration of music in medicine, demonstrating a commitment to exploring innovative avenues for improving patient outcomes.
“Dr. Sanofsky’s research is addressing the need for the development of non-pharmacologic approaches that reduce delirium in children,” said the Vice Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Division Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology, and Anesthesiologist-in-Chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Dolores Njoku, MD. “His innovative work is paving the way for a future where we can provide safer and more effective care for our youngest patients.”
Sanofsky completed his Pediatric Anesthesiology fellowship training at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital/Stanford University School of Medicine, following his residency at the University of Vermont. His expertise extends to the perioperative care of patients with regional peripheral nerve blocks as well as infant spinal anesthesia, and he is actively involved in clinical research focused on non-pharmacologic approaches to enhance the perioperative care of children.
The AUA aims to promote excellence in academic anesthesiology by providing mentorship, fostering diversity and inclusivity, and supporting the professional growth of educators, academic leaders, and researchers throughout their careers. The organization’s dedication to recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions to the field exemplifies its commitment to advancing knowledge and practice.