Leading anesthesia services for the facility is Dr. Curtis Choice, who served as the Montefiore Moses Campus Anesthesia Site Director since 2020 and as the inaugural Anesthesia Site Director for the Hutchinson Campus from 2014 to 2020. In his new position as Medical Director and Director of Anesthesia Services for Greenwich Street Surgical, Dr. Choice will ensure safe, proactive and preemptive anesthetic management at the facility, which is an MD-only anesthesia practice.

Founded by renowned Montefiore Einstein plastic surgeons Drs. Oren Tepper and Evan Garfein as well as private practice plastic surgeon Dr. Arthur Perry, in partnership with Montefiore Einstein, Greenwich Street Surgical consists of three operating rooms as well as clinic space. Dr. Choice was essential in ensuring the center was ready to open its doors and led both the accreditation processes with accrediting organization Quad A as well as the controlled substances licensing process for the facility. In addition, Dr. Choice is training the entire perioperative staff of the facility in crisis management.

“I’m really excited about starting something new and expanding the footprint of the department to provide high-quality anesthesia care to new locations,” Dr. Choice said. “I like the challenge of expanding and building something from the ground up, and ultimately creating an efficient and productive model that makes everybody happy – patients, surgeons, and the health system.”

Several other senior faculty members in the Department of Anesthesiology will join Dr. Choice in providing anesthesia services at Greenwich Street Surgical. Dr. Choice explained that the new venture is unique for anesthesiologists because each physician will be involved in a patient’s case from start to finish. Dr. Oleg Evgenov, who recently joined Montefiore Einstein as the Department of Anesthesiology’s Division Director for Endoscopic and Advanced Endoscopic Anesthesia Services, will also bring his talents to the new ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Evgenov, who was previously the Director of Anesthesia and Co-Medical Director of the Endoscopy Center of New York, said he is excited to be part of the new team at Greenwich Street Surgical.

"I believe this is a great opportunity to expand and enhance the Montefiore brand by providing in-demand services to a patient population in a new geographic area,” Dr. Evgenov said. “I am particularly impressed by how this ambulatory surgery center is beautifully and ergonomically designed with a focus on providing maximum comfort and outstanding care to the patients."

Dr. Choice explained that the Greenwich Street Surgical team spared no expenses on its state-of-the-art facility and equipment, which include videolaryngoscopy for intubations, ultrasound availability to conduct peripheral nerve blocks, point-of-care ultrasound, and vascular access, as well as the latest in ASC-tailored anesthesia machines. In addition, all physicians working at the ambulatory surgery center hold academic appointments with renowned medical institutions, signifying they are trained in the most innovative techniques.

“All patients who come to the facility will be treated equally with the highest level of care and highest compliance with patient safety regulations,” Dr. Choice emphasized.

Dr. Choice’s leadership at Greenwich Street Surgical marks the first location in his additional role as Senior Director of Network Integration and Expansion within the Montefiore Einstein Department of Anesthesiology. Together with Montefiore Surgical Services and the Faculty Practice Group, Dr. Choice is working closely with Department of Anesthesiology Chair Dr. Matthias Eikermann to identify additional opportunities within the Montefiore Health System network where Montefiore anesthesiologists can provide safe, effective care.

Dr. Eikermann emphasized, “The goal is to expand our high-quality services to residents of Manhattan and Westchester County. While we double down on the Bronx to wholeheartedly serve our patients with limited access to healthcare, we also offer our unique values to the greater New York City area."