On Wednesday, June 4th, the ������ Anesthesiology 13th Annual Resident Team-Based QuaIity Improvement Symposium��showcased upper-level resident leadership in developing Patient Safety-Quality Improvement (PSQI)-focused solutions to address anesthesia care��inefficiencies within a Level 1 Trauma Center.�� Sixteen ������ Anesthesiology 2nd-year residents (CA-2s) presented faculty-mentored��PSQI projects demonstrating how resident-led, team-based PSQI-focused approaches can measurably improve patient outcomes within a large academic medical center such as ������ Medical Center (������MC).

Each year, CA-2s are paired with faculty mentors who guide them through developing a project addressing practice, process��or quality metrics that have been identified as PSQI priorities. From project options determined by faculty mentors, CA-2s lead year-long team projects in developing better practice solutions to their assigned PSQI topic via brainstorming, data review and other factors. At the culmination of this foundational CA-2 PSQI experience, the annual annual provides teams a forum for presenting evidence-based interventions and other solutions to improving outcomes in peri-operative and anesthesia care.

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������ Anesthesiology applauds our CRNA team for marking two decades of commitment to the Adopt a Highway program! At the May 2025 annual spring clean-up, the highest number of volunteers to date – 21 adults, teens & kids – turned out for the team’s ongoing trash-recycling clean-up efforts along the its assigned stretch of Highway 54W near ������ Hospitals. The department is proud of our nurse anesthetists at ������ Hospitals who have picked almost 400 bags of trash and donated 480+ volunteer hours over two decades!��

@unc_crna

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In October 2024, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Katie Ramsdell, MD, visited central North Carolina U.S. Army base Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty 2023-2025) and observed a field training exercise of elite U.S. Army Special Operations Medics as they prepared battlefield casualties for evacuation. Dr. Ramsdell, who served as the Rotation Director of ������ Anesthesiology’s Special Operations Combat Medic course from 2024-2025, noted:

“It was jaw-dropping to watch these highly trained special operations forces stabilize a critically injured patient and prepare for casualty evacuation. This exercise helped me understand how the skills we teach these military personnel can be directly applied to swiftly and adeptly care for wounded soldiers.”

Katie Ramsdell, MD

In September 2019, ������ Medical Center (������MC) entered one of the nation’s first military-civilian hospital partnerships via a Military Training Agreement with the U.S. Army Surgeon General’s Office. ��Launched as the ������ Trauma Military Education Immersion Center (“Carolina MEdIC”), the program brought together five trauma response disciplines – Anesthesiology, Surgery (burn-focused), Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine, and Otolaryngology (ENT) – to advance the training of graduates of the U.S. Special Operations Combat Medic course. In one-month rotations at ������MC, rotators are exposed to a variety of patient care scenarios and procedures that enhance their knowledge and skill set acquisition in each discipline.

When Vice Chair of Education Dr. Rob Isaak polled faculty for interest in developing the anesthesiology component of ������’s Carolina MEdIC program, Dr. Ramsdell, a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel’s daughter, raised her hand. In March 2024, Dr. Ramsdell led the roll-out of the week-long anesthesiology rotation.

From U.S. Army Special Operations medics to Civil Affairs, Army Special Forces, and Marine Recon and Special Operations personnel, most military rotators arrive at ������MC with basic knowledge of airway management, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), regional anesthesia, and the fundamentals of critical care. Paired with a resident, CRNA, CAA, or an attending in daily assignments, military rotators are mentored on mastering the anesthesia skills they need to care for trauma, burn and ENT��patients. Rotators practice airway management, IV line placement, sedation techniques and observe nerve block placement. They also practice hands-on regional anesthesia skills in a monthly teaching session with the task trainers taught by members of the anesthesiology faculty.

Dr. Ramsdell concluded: “As a Level I Trauma center with a burn surgery service and a team dedicated to regional anesthesia, [������MC] can expose military personnel to a range of clinical scenarios and procedures that they may not encounter at their home military base. This is a great opportunity to give back to our military community and contribute in a small way to the safety of our country by advancing their preparedness to care for trauma patients in the field.”

Sandeep Dhanjal, MD

Dr. Sandeep Dhanjal takes over the role of Anesthesia Rotation Director for the Carolina MEdIC program in Summer 2025.

More on ������ Medical Center’s (Carolina MEdiC) program and trauma response training partnership with U.S. Army Special Operations has been reported on in and in this .

PHOTO: Dr. Katie Ramsdell (far L) leads point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) teaching with U.S. Army Special Operations Medics participating in ������MC’s Carolina MEdIC program.

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To read the ������ SOM’s full story on this leadership transition in the Dean’s office, click HERE.

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Professor of Anesthesiology Alexander Doyal, MD, MPH, FASA, has been named “Best Intraoperative Teacher” by ������ Anesthesiology residents. Beyond an era when faculty mentors helped shape his career path and interests in medicine, the ������ Academy of Educators (AoE) member nowadays invests himself in mentoring bright, motivated medical students and residents to offer the same guidance.

Dr. Doyal first crossed paths with Scott Giberson when the Class of 2026 MD/MBA candidate was introduced to ������ Anesthesiology clinical and research experiences ������ M2 Castillo Scholar. Impressed by Scott’s scholarly curiosities, Dr. Doyal invited him to join a research study he was leading underway in investigating the effectiveness of intraoperative radio frequency technology to detect surgical sponges retained during a procedure. Through repeated trials investigating use of a radio frequency wand with cadaver models, the team made a groundbreaking discovery that when a metallic object (eg, scalpel or forceps) is next to retained sponges, the technology’s ability to detect them no longer works.��

“The takeaway for us and the patient care community is to understand that this method isn’t foolproof, which is not common knowledge,” Giberson said. “From a patient safety perspective, we want people to understand that the wand is useful, but it’s not the end-all, be-all, and we shouldn’t treat it as such.”��

“In the ������ community, you find faculty who are really eager to work with students,” Giberson said. “They’re willing to bring me into something that they’re working on or give me those opportunities. I’m grateful to Dr. Doyal for the opportunity to work with his team and be a part of advancing our knowledge on improving intraoperative patient safety.”��

Dr. Doyal noted: “Scott’s one of those students you don’t forget — sharp, thoughtful, and genuinely curious,” Doyal said. “He jumps into projects with real enthusiasm and follow-through, and it’s been a lot of fun working with him.”

The research team presented their findings as a poster — “Surgical Sponge Vanishing Act” — at a national anesthesiology conference and are focused now on publishing the research.��

PHOTO (L to R): Professor of Anesthesiology Alex Doyal, MD, MPH, FASA & research collaborator Scott Giberson, a ������ Class of 2026 MD/MBA candidate.

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������ Anesthesiology is pleased to recognize Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Division Chief Lavinia Kolarczyk, MD, one of five featured panelists to discuss, “How to Navigate Politics, Get Promoted and Thrive as a Cardiac Anesthesiologist” at an upcoming Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) MasterClass webinar in early June.

Dr. Kolarczyk is an active SCA member and has served in multiple Society leadership roles, including: 1) Executive Member – Women in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (WICTA) Special Interest Group; 2) Committee Chair – SCA Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery (ERATS); and 3) Developer – Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) Women in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (Special Interest Group) SIG Speaker Database. Dr. Kolarczyk has also received multiple honors from the SCA, including the SCA’s Women in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Distinguished Service Award (2023) and the Society’s Awesome Woman Recognition (2023) award.

If you have cardiac anesthesiology interests and would like to listen to Dr. Kolarczyk and other distinguished SCA panelists at the June 3rd webinar, register

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Jade has aspired to become a physician since she was old enough to give her mom’s salon clients “blood plessure checkups” while they waited for hair appointments. She began working in healthcare as soon as she was legally able to, learning the basic pharmacology as a pharmacy assistant all through high school.�� She later became a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) and completed basic and advanced EMT certification. Before medical school, Jade worked as an anesthesia technician at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) in Wilmington, NC. During the height of the CVD-19 pandemic, she cared for critically ill and complex patients as part of the interdisciplinary cardiovascular OR team. The experience solidified her goal of becoming an anesthesiologist.

In early medical school, Jade began nurturing her passion for anesthesiology through her role as Co-President of ������’s Anesthesiology Interest Group and participating in the Anesthesiology Preceptorship Enrichment Program (APEP).��Jade is a “Double Tarheel.” She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at ������-Chapel Hill, and she also holds a Master of Physiology from North Carolina State University.

Jade noted: “I value how anesthesiology blends pharmacologic and physiological expertise with technical skill, directly enhancing patient comfort, safety and clinical outcomes, and I’m ready to learn great deal from my summer experience as a Castillo Scholar.”

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Associate Professor Dr. Linnstaedt, stated: “I continue to be incredibly impressed and humbled by our trainees and share this excitement with the entire department to offer these students due recognition for their work!”

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������ Anesthesiology congratulates Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Lauriane Guichard, MD, on her successful completion of the Leadership in Academic Medicine Program (LAMP) offered by the ������ (SOM)’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development. LAMP is a highly selective professional development initiative designed for junior faculty members in their first three years at ������. The program provides structured guidance in career planning and academic development while fostering community, purpose, direction, and confidence among participants. Through monthly sessions with expert faculty, peer discussions, and mentorship opportunities, LAMP supports faculty in establishing a strong foundation for success in academic medicine.

Department Chair and Professor of Anesthesiology Ted Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA, noted: “Dr. Guichard’s participation in this prestigious program reflects her commitment to leadership, scholarship, and excellence in academic anesthesiology. We are proud of her accomplishment and look forward to the continued impact of her leadership within our department and the broader medical community.”

Along with Dr. Guichard, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Skye Margolies, PhD, was also recognized at the LAMP graduation ceremony in early May for her valuable coaching role mentoring LAMP faculty members.

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• Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Daniel McMillan, MD, and Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Sandeep Dhanjal, MD, were chosen as recipients of the 2025��. This annual award honors physician educators who have demonstrated innovation, impact, and sustained excellence in teaching regional anesthesia and/or pain medicine and who exemplify outstanding commitment to education through innovation and effectiveness in knowledge delivery.������ Anesthesiology Chair Ted Sakai, MD, PhD, MHA, FASA, noted: “Drs. McMillan and Dhanjal have each shown unwavering dedication to education and mentorship, and this recognition highlights their influential contributions to shaping the next generation of anesthesiologists.”
  ������ Professor of Anesthesiology and ������ Regional Anesthesia Division Chief Stuart Grant, MB ChB, had two major honors at the spring .��
  • ��ASRA‘s Board of Directors named Dr. Grant to the organization’s executive track. In this role, Dr. Grant will serve first as Treasurer, followed by President-Elect, and ultimately as President of ASRA��Pain Medicine.
  • Dr. Grant abstract overviewing a 20-day sensory radiofrequency (RF) nerve block developed under his leadership was named one of the ASRA meeting’s three “Best of Meeting” abstracts. Dr. Grant’s innovative, first-of-kind nerve block was developed as a proof‑of‑concept series demonstrating that targeted RF at >20 kHz can silence nociceptive pathways for three weeks, with no measurable motor weakness or proprioceptive drift (intact motor function). This groundbreaking development paves the way for long‑duration, post‑op pain patient relief without crutches, falls, or bulky braces.Dr. Sakai noted: “Dr. Grant’s involvement with ASRA aligns with the organization’s commitment to high-quality education, exemplified by its flagship journal, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and its prestigious research grants. This is a momentous achievement for both Dr. Grant and ������ Anesthesiology. We are immensely proud of his selection�� to the ASRA’s executive track and look forward to Dr. Grant representing our department with distinction, further enhancing our already outstanding national reputation.”

    Regarding Dr. Grant’s nerve block breakthrough, Dr. Nanda stated, “It’s rare that our field sees a technique developed with this kind of upside and such a clean safety profile. This is a big win for research ������ clinical regional anesthesia researchers and for our reputation as a breeding ground for disruptive regional anesthesia ideas that are groundbreaking innovations.”��

    

    

#ASRASPRING25

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