As another academic year comes to a close, we celebrate the graduation of many of our residents and fellows.
On Saturday, June 21, the WashU Medicine Department of Anesthesiology’s Residency Program celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 during their graduation ceremony. During the event, Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA, Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor and head of the Department of Anesthesiology, addressed the class and reflected on the mutual growth that occurs throughout residency. “As our residents learn from us, we are equally shaped by what we learn from them. I remember the patients we cared for together—the cases, the challenges, the breakthroughs—and I remember who was beside me for each of them. Each one left an impression that informs how I approach my work to this day,” he said. Avidan spoke about the profound impact the class had on the department and expressed his confidence in their future contributions. He emphasized that this class is not only exceptional in skill and character but will undoubtedly leave the specialty stronger than they found it.
The Residency Class of 2025 made remarkable contributions, including:
- Administering 23,869 anesthetics and providing care for 22,114 unique patients. Among them, over 2,973 were the sickest ASA 4 and 5 patients, demonstrating their expertise in handling high-acuity cases.
- Performing 556 organ transplants.
- Successfully managing 12441 airways.
- Placing 2499 arterial lines.
- Inserting 1834 central lines.
- Administering 2922 neuraxial blocks.
- Conducting 5023 peripheral nerve blocks.
“At each graduation I’ve attended, we say it’s the best class yet—and this year is no exception. This class is truly extraordinary. Their clinical expertise, their impact on the scientific community, and their dedication to mentoring and teaching those who follow have all been remarkable,” said Vice Chair for Education, Allison Mitchell, MD.
Additionally, several residents were honored with special awards in recognition of their exceptional contributions. The graduating class also honored faculty members who had a meaningful impact on their clinical training with the annual Outstanding Teacher Awards.
Outstanding Teacher Awards: Stephen Gregory, MD, and Anand Lakshminarasimhachar, MD
The Outstanding Teacher Awards honor educators who go above and beyond in their dedication to education and have made a significant impact on residents—serving as both exceptional instructors and inspiring role models.
Leonard W. Fabian Award for Outstanding First-Year Resident: Karina Shah, MD, MBA
The Outstanding First-Year Resident Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies exceptional professionalism, unwavering commitment to high academic standards, and outstanding clinical performance.
Necita L. Roa Award for Outstanding Graduating Resident: Shourik Dutta, MD
This award, chosen by program leadership, recognizes a member of the graduating resident class for their citizenship, essential attributes, and contributions to the program.
Peter E. Krucylak Priz for Outstanding Resident in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology: Parita Sutaria Jani, MD, MPH
This award recognizes an outstanding graduating resident specializing in cardiothoracic anesthesia and is selected by cardiothoracic anesthesiology faculty members.
Meet our 2025 graduates:
| Karam Atli, MD | Joseph Miller, MD |
| Javaughn Baker, MD | Rasheeq Nizam, MD |
| Rebecca Chen, MD | Abigail Petersen, MD |
| Ryan DeAngelis, MD | Andrew Thorsen, MD |
| Shourik Dutta, MD | Chideraa Ukeje, MD, MPH |
| Shreya Goswami, MD | Chizoba Umesi, MD |
| Parita Jani, MD | Jeffrey Wherritt, DO |
| Sadia Karani, MD | Dominique Williams, MD |
| Divya Mehta, MD | Elizabeth Wong, MD |
The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship celebrated its five graduating fellows on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Jeffrey Chen, MD
Samuel Erlinger, MD
Christopher Mahrous, MD
Angela Nguyen, MD
Hanah Parks, MD
The Critical Care Medicine Fellowship hosted its graduation celebration on Saturday, June 28, 2025, for its fifteen graduating fellows—each specializing in either anesthesiology, emergency medicine, or surgical critical care medicine.
Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine
Brittni Lanoux, MD
Alexander Lewis, MD, MBA, MPH
Emergency Medicine Critical Care Medicine
Larry Benjey, MD
Brandon Chaffay, MD
David Dukes, MD
Josh Helm, MD
Farina Shafqat, MD
William Spinosi, DO
Aaron Wille, MD
Surgical Critical Care Medicine
Stephanie Armocida, MD
Kanika Chawla, MD
Victoria Cui, MD
Alison Karadjoff, DO
Sara Matsumoto, MD
Loughlin Wylie, MD
The Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship celebrated Mallory Hawksworth, MD, on Saturday, June 7.
The Pain Medicine Fellowship celebrated its four graduating fellows on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Abram Elsenraat, MD
Petr Pikhut, MD
Adil Shaikh, MD*
Obiyo Osuchukwu, MD
*Dr. Shaikh will graduate from the Adult & Pediatric Pain Dual Fellowship program on July 31, 2025, and was honored at the graduation ceremony with his colleagues.
On Saturday, July 27, 2025, the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program will celebrate Derek Clary, DO, who will join the team as faculty in fall 2025.
The Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain Fellowship celebrated its two graduating fellows on Friday, May 30, 2025.
Shun (Selina) Huang, MD, PhD
Sukhpreet Singh, MBBS, MD