Department of Anesthesiology

The Maryland Medicine Comprehensive Insurance Program (MMCIP) recently awarded their inaugural Patient Safety Award to the Department of Anesthesiology by DePriest Whye, Chief Executive Office of MMCIP. ‌MMCIP has been working with all FPI practices to strengthen their safety and quality programs, and has recently implemented a process to reward departments with exemplary patient safety programs, excellent outcomes, and a track record of quality care. Dr. Megan Anders, Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer, noted the honor of the achievement and that “we are very pleased that MMCIP has recognized our department’s hard work and leadership in patient safety, and we are very excited about the projects we can pursue with the award funds.” MMCIP awarded the Department with $100,000, which will be used to fund specific patient safety and quality efforts. Allison Enterline, Quality and Patient Safety Manager, has also been instrumental in helping to build the department’s safety and quality program, and her work and dedication to patient safety have been essential to establishing such a strong safety and quality program. Ms. Enterline notes, “Our clinicians make patient safety a priority every day, so I’m excited to strengthen our support for those efforts using the award funds.”

‌Congratulations to Lin Zou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, who was recently awarded a prestigous Faculty Research Award from the Shock Society. The award is given in support of a faculty member at his/her early career stage to develop research in the areas related to trauma, shock, and sepsis, and who has the intent to become an outstanding independent investigator. A highly competitive award, the Faculty Research Award provides Dr. Zou with two years of support while also granting her tenure membership on the Shock Society's Awards and Honors Committee.

‌‌Kristy Ward, MS, CRNA, was recently awarded the Excellence ‌in Advanced Practice Nursing at the University of Maryland Medical Center's 2017 Nursing Excellence Awards. Kristy has been a member of the CRNA team for more than five years and plays an instrumental role in managing the CRNA schedule for the General OR, Trauma OR, University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute, and UMMC Midtown campus.

Congratulations to Cheryl Conaway, Medical Practice Representative at the Pain Management Center at UMROI, and Judith Hallinger, Certified Coder in the Anesthesiology Professional Billing Office. Both were honored at the annual Faculty Physicians, Inc. Service Awards luncheon in May 2017. Cheryl was recognized for her 10 years of service, and Judith was recognized for her 25 years of service.

Ron Samet, MD, Assistant Professor and Fellowship Director, Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain, was featured in the May 2017 Associate Press (AP) article, "Overcoming Opioids: When Pills are a Hospital’s Last Resort." The story is the third in the AP series about the opioid epidemic, and it highlights the unique ways in which hospitals are managing pain in addicts, even in trauma situations.

Anesthesia Heroes - Congratulations to Assistant Professors Mary Hyder, MD, Jeremy Kaplowitz, MD, and Maria Karla Villacin, MD, as well as nurse anesthetists Theresa Young, CRNA, and Michelle Duell, DNP, who were honored at this year’s 28^th Annual R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Gala at the Baltimore Convention Center, held on Saturday, April 22, 2017. The Gala highlights Maryland's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and medical professionals who represent Maryland’s unique, highly coordinated trauma system. Funds raised by the Gala benefit Shock Trauma's Center for Injury Prevention and Policy (CIPP), which focuses on injury trends and prevention-based educational programs offered throughout the State of Maryland. To read more about this year’s Gala, please click here.

See Photos From Past Department Events