2023 Highlights

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology is a hub for integrated perioperative and periprocedural care across Montefiore Health System. In 2023, we made significant strides in both clinical operations and digital health research – providing an evidence-based foundation for exceptional patient care throughout the perioperative period. The team of talented anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists cared for nearly 100,000 patients throughout the year, ensuring that each patient receives the highest level of patient-centered care during their time at Montefiore Einstein.

Matthias Eikermann, MD, PhD, Chair, Department Of Anesthesiology

Note from the Chair

In 2023, the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology has focused on innovation, interdisciplinary teamwork, and compassionate patient-centered care. We are experts in perioperative, critical care and pain medicine. Most importantly, we serve as interprofessional partners in patient safety and quality while providing excellent training to the next generation of anesthesia professionals.

DATA & STATISTICS

2023 by the numbers

Illustration of man walking up rising bar graph

71,986

procedures performed under anesthesia across MMC

31,442

General Anesthesiology surgeries performed across MMC

17,406

patient visits at the Montefiore Multidisciplinary Pain Program

15,944

surgeries performed at Hutch ASC

HIGHLIGHTS

Notable innovations and achievements

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Leaders Create Interventions to Reduce Anxiety Before Surgery, Improving Patient Experience and Outcomes

Surgery can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Some people get so nervous about a pending surgery that they cancel. In an effort to help alleviate patients’ presurgical anxiety and decrease the rate of surgery cancellations, the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology has implemented—together with Perioperative Medicine leadership, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Ambulatory Surgery Nursing—two new bundle interventions to reduce patients’ preoperative anxiety.

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Celebrates Departmental Research Projects with Inaugural Academic Night

The Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology held its inaugural Academic Night in 2023 to celebrate the research accomplishments of its providers, research fellows, and trainees. The event featured posters for more than 33 research abstracts ranging from quality improvement projects, case reports, and retrospective cohort studies.

Advancing Critical Care Clinical Operations and Quality Improvement for Better Patient Outcomes

The division has embarked on both short-term initiatives and a long-term strategy to provide more extensive care to patients undergoing acute care surgeries and high-risk transplant surgeries. The critical care team, which serves patients at Montefiore’s Moses Campus Surgical Intensive Care Unit and the surgical step-down unit, is comprised of 15 intensivists including both anesthesiologists and surgeons who are all fellowship-trained in Critical Care Medicine.

Implementing a New Unified Anesthesia Care Model at Wakefield Hospital

The Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology has created and implemented a new Unified Anesthesia Care Model at Wakefield Hospital under the direction of Anesthesia Site Director Dr. Roman Margulis and Quality Improvement Director Dr. Alexandra Bastien. The new model has led to a more efficient and equitable staffing system that leverages anesthesiologists with a broad spectrum of skills across the Wakefield Hospital anesthesia service.

Research Shows ERAS Protocol Successfully Reduces Patient and Community Exposure to Dangers of Opioid Drugs After Surgery

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, a multidisciplinary effort introduced in 2020, yields data showing benefits of multimodal, holistic interventions to minimize opioid use for pain management both in the hospital and after patients return home.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration Leads to Less Surgery Cancellations and Optimized Patient Outcomes

One of the top priorities for the Department of Anesthesiology is multidisciplinary collaboration with surgical colleagues to improve patients’ access to care and optimize surgical outcomes. In 2023, the department’s clinician scientists focused on optimizing patients for ambulatory surgery and reducing same-day case cancellations by utilizing a case cancellation bundle intervention.

A New Strategy for Patient-Centered Care in the ICU

Dr. Matthias Eikermann, the Francis F. Foldes Chair for the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology, was one of three thought leaders who published an article in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine in June 2023 with a proposal to minimize sedation in the Intensive Care Unit to improve patients’ long-term outcomes.

Investing in Digital Health to Advance Clinical Research, Safety, and Quality

The Montefiore Einstein Digital Health Research Lab is focused on building a perioperative digital health universe to harness the power of data to drive evidence-based clinical interventions. In 2023, they hired several new additions to the Digital Health Research Lab including Lead Biostatistician and Epidemiologist Dr. Ibraheem Karaye and Director of Clinical Research Dr. Timothy Pulverenti.

Anesthesiology Researchers Lead Performance Improvement Projects to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Throughout 2023, the Department of Anesthesiology’s Digital Health Lab has worked closely with MHS leadership to improve patient safety indicators (PSI), as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To improve these metrics, the team has developed a series of quality improvement projects that have already been shown to enhance patient outcomes.

Improving Perioperative Management of Patients Undergoing ERCP

A New Prediction Tool for Patients with a High Risk of Postoperative Respiratory Failure

The Impact of Reintubation on Hospital Costs and its Mitigation by Prolonged Postoperative Surveillance

The Impact of Residency Training Level on Early Postoperative Desaturation

Dexamethasone Use Associated with Decreased 1-Year Postoperative Mortality and Reduced Cancer Recurrence for Patients Undergoing Oncological Surgery

Development and Validation of an Instrument to Predict Prolonged Length of Stay in the Postanesthesia Care Unit Following Ambulatory Surgery

Loss of Independent Living in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Intraoperative EEG Monitoring in Pediatric Anesthesia

Complications of Spinal Cord Stimulators-A Comprehensive Review Article

Analgesic Techniques for Rib Fractures-A Comprehensive Review Article

Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Replacement Therapy: A Review and Update for the Perioperative Physician

Perioperative Use of Ketamine

The Impact of the COVID-19 Surge Response on Motivation Among Anesthesiology Residents and Fellows

A Review of the Paravertebral Block: Benefits and Complications

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Postoperative Delirium in Procedures of Moderate-to-High Complexity: A Hospital-Registry Study

Prevalence and Association of Non-Medical Cannabis Use with Post-Procedural Healthcare Utilization in Patients Undergoing Surgery or Interventional Procedures

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials to advance surgical outcomes

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology participates in both national and clinical trials, a selection of which are highlighted below.

An Anesthesia-Centered Bundle to Reduce Postoperative Pulmonary Complications: The PRIME-AIR Study (PRIME-AIR)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Eikermann
Sponsor: NIH

Learn more

PANDORA: Delirium Prevention After Cardiac Surgery Using IV Acetaminophen to Prevent Postoperative Delirium in Older Cardiac Surgical Patients

Principal Investigator: Dr. Eikermann
Sponsor: NIH

Learn more

Suvorexant and Sleep/Delirium in ICU Patients

Principal Investigator: Dr. Eikermann
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Learn more

Optimizing the Use of Ketamine to Reduce Chronic Postsurgical Pain (KALPAS)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Reddy
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute

Learn more

A 24-Week Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of CNTX-6970 in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Principal Investigator: Dr. Gitkind
Co-Investigator: Dr. Shaparin
Sponsor: NIH

Learn more

DIVERSITY

Commitment to diversity & equity

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Vice Chair Creates Preparatory Program for URiM College Students Pursuing Medicine

Dr. Tracey Straker, Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology, is developing a new program to support Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) college students achieve their goals of attending medical school and becoming physicians.

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiologist Establishes National Mentorship Program for Minority Medical Students

Dr. Vilma Joseph, Anesthesiology Clinical Site Director at Weiler Hospital, has successfully launched and completed the first year of a national mentorship program for minority medical students interested in the field of anesthesiology.

Promoting Women Anesthesiologists to Lead within the Department

The Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology is proud of our diverse workforce, which includes an equal number of women faculty in departmental leadership positions.

Ensuring Diversity & Equity in our Residency Program Application Process and Curriculum

For the second consecutive year, the Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Residency Program has successfully completed a holistic application review process with the goal of increasing diversity among its residency classes.

Institutional and Interdepartmental DEI Collaboration

Our DEI Committee extends beyond the Department of Anesthesiology, with members of the committee being integral collaborators within wider Montefiore Einstein diversity and equity initiatives.

Leadership in National DEI Initiatives

In addition to their extensive work on diversity and equity activities within the Montefiore Einstein community, members of the Anesthesiology DEI Committee are actively involved in national initiatives working to promote diversity both within the medical profession and in patient care.

Giselle Jaconia, MD

Residency Program Assistant Director & Director of Recruitment

Erik Romanelli, MD, MPH

Residency Program Director

Adela Aguirre-Alarcon, MD

Moses Campus Associate Site Director

Curtis Choice, MD

Senior Director of Network Integration & Expansion

Jay Berger, MD, PhD

Director of the Thoracic Anesthesia Division

Allison Spinelli, DO

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Director

Juan Davila Velazquez, MD

Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship Program Director

Jay Im, MD

Residency Program Assistant Director

Michael Rufino, MD

Moses Campus Associate Site Director

Oleg Evgenov

Director of the Endoscopic Anesthesia Division

William J. Sauer, MD

Director, Critical Care Anesthesiology Division

Graduate Medical Education

World-class graduate medical education

Preparing our Trainees to Become Leaders in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine: Our Residents’ and Fellows’ Next Steps

Our Residency Class of 2023 went on to fellowship programs at other world-class institutions across the country including Hospital for Special Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

New Residency Program Director Leads with Focus on Wellness and Mentorship

Dr. Erik Romanelli, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Montefiore Einstein, was appointed Anesthesiology Residency Program Director in July 2023 and has since led initiatives to improve resident wellness, mentorship, and curriculum development.

Graduate Medical Education Team Dedicated to Providing Modernized POCUS Training

With support from Graduate Medical Education leadership, Attending Anesthesiologist Dr. Sina Erfani is spearheading an initiative to revamp the department's point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for residents.

New Fellowship Provides Strong Foundation for Critical Care Medicine

While expanding the Division of Critical Care Anesthesiology, the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology has launched a brand new fellowship program to train future intensivists.

Patient referrals

At Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology, we know providing patients with the best possible care includes teamwork and trust. We work closely with our valued referring physicians to ensure open communication and reliable expertise.

Call us today

Contact us

718-920-4316

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Highlights

Patient Referrals

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology

Note from the Chair

2023 by the numbers

71,986

31,442

17,406

15,944

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Leaders Create Interventions to Reduce Anxiety Before Surgery, Improving Patient Experience and Outcomes

Providing Safe, Effective Care at New Tribeca ASC

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology-Led NIH Clinical Trial Focused on Interventions to Improve Postoperative Respiratory Outcomes

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Celebrates Departmental Research Projects with Inaugural Academic Night

Advancing Critical Care Clinical Operations and Quality Improvement for Better Patient Outcomes

Implementing a New Unified Anesthesia Care Model at Wakefield Hospital

Research Shows ERAS Protocol Successfully Reduces Patient and Community Exposure to Dangers of Opioid Drugs After Surgery

Multidisciplinary Collaboration Leads to Less Surgery Cancellations and Optimized Patient Outcomes

A New Strategy for Patient-Centered Care in the ICU

Investing in Digital Health to Advance Clinical Research, Safety, and Quality

Anesthesiology Researchers Lead Performance Improvement Projects to Enhance Patient Outcomes

Research innovations to improve perioperative care tomorrow

Improving Perioperative Management of Patients Undergoing ERCP

A New Prediction Tool for Patients with a High Risk of Postoperative Respiratory Failure

The Impact of Reintubation on Hospital Costs and its Mitigation by Prolonged Postoperative Surveillance

The Impact of Residency Training Level on Early Postoperative Desaturation

Dexamethasone Use Associated with Decreased 1-Year Postoperative Mortality and Reduced Cancer Recurrence for Patients Undergoing Oncological Surgery

Development and Validation of an Instrument to Predict Prolonged Length of Stay in the Postanesthesia Care Unit Following Ambulatory Surgery

Loss of Independent Living in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Intraoperative EEG Monitoring in Pediatric Anesthesia

Complications of Spinal Cord Stimulators-A Comprehensive Review Article

Analgesic Techniques for Rib Fractures-A Comprehensive Review Article

Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Replacement Therapy: A Review and Update for the Perioperative Physician

Perioperative Use of Ketamine

The Impact of the COVID-19 Surge Response on Motivation Among Anesthesiology Residents and Fellows

A Review of the Paravertebral Block: Benefits and Complications

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Postoperative Delirium in Procedures of Moderate-to-High Complexity: A Hospital-Registry Study

Prevalence and Association of Non-Medical Cannabis Use with Post-Procedural Healthcare Utilization in Patients Undergoing Surgery or Interventional Procedures

Clinical trials to advance surgical outcomes

An Anesthesia-Centered Bundle to Reduce Postoperative Pulmonary Complications: The PRIME-AIR Study (PRIME-AIR)

PANDORA: Delirium Prevention After Cardiac Surgery Using IV Acetaminophen to Prevent Postoperative Delirium in Older Cardiac Surgical Patients

Suvorexant and Sleep/Delirium in ICU Patients

Optimizing the Use of Ketamine to Reduce Chronic Postsurgical Pain (KALPAS)

A 24-Week Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of CNTX-6970 in Subjects with Moderate to Severe Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Vice Chair Creates Preparatory Program for URiM College Students Pursuing Medicine

Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiologist Establishes National Mentorship Program for Minority Medical Students

Promoting Women Anesthesiologists to Lead within the Department

Ensuring Diversity & Equity in our Residency Program Application Process and Curriculum

Institutional and Interdepartmental DEI Collaboration

Leadership in National DEI Initiatives

New roles & leaders in our department

Giselle Jaconia, MD

Residency Program Assistant Director & Director of Recruitment

Erik Romanelli, MD, MPH

Residency Program Director

Adela Aguirre-Alarcon, MD

Moses Campus Associate Site Director

Curtis Choice, MD

Senior Director of Network Integration & Expansion

Jay Berger, MD, PhD

Director of the Thoracic Anesthesia Division

Allison Spinelli, DO

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Director

Juan Davila Velazquez, MD

Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship Program Director

Jay Im, MD

Residency Program Assistant Director

Michael Rufino, MD

Moses Campus Associate Site Director

Oleg Evgenov

Director of the Endoscopic Anesthesia Division

William J. Sauer, MD

Director, Critical Care Anesthesiology Division

Preparing our Trainees to Become Leaders in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine: Our Residents’ and Fellows’ Next Steps

New Residency Program Director Leads with Focus on Wellness and Mentorship

Graduate Medical Education Team Dedicated to Providing Modernized POCUS Training

New Fellowship Provides Strong Foundation for Critical Care Medicine

Patient referrals

Contact us