The start of a new academic year marked the start of several new faculty assignments in the Department of Anesthesiology. A newly created position, the Associate Vice Chair for Patient Safety, was filled by Jean Simonson, M.D., and initiated a domino effect of promotions throughout the department.
Dr. Simonson, who served the department as Residency Program Director for the past decade, began her role of Associate Vice Chair for Patient Safety on July 1. Her focus will be on transitioning and leading the department to a zero-harm, high reliability organization.
Andrea Dutoit, M.D., filled the Residency Program Director role July 1. Previously, Dr. Dutoit previously served as program director for the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, in which time she revised the program information forms necessary to receive accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, navigated an ACGME site visit with no citations and filled all open fellowship positions each year. Dr. Dutoit will continue to practice pediatric cardiac anesthesia at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center while spending her academic and administrative time at UNMC.
"She is an experienced educator and leader in graduate education who will do a fantastic job in this new role," said Chairman Steven Lisco, M.D.
Michelle LeRiger, M.D., will succeed Dr. Dutoit as pediatric anesthesiology fellowship program director. Dr. LeRiger has served under Dr. Dutoit as associate program director in recent years. The appointment will take effect Sept. 1, so as not to conflict with submission of pediatric anesthesiology match lists.
Additionally, Daniel Johnson, M.D., division chief of Critical Care Anesthesiology (CCA) and fellowship director, appointed Shaun Thompson, M.D., to the critical care anesthesiology associate program director role.
"I am already benefitting from Dr. Thompson’s experience, vision and famous work ethic," said Dr. Johnson.
Maulin Vora, M.B.B.S., became the director of ultrasonography for the CCA division. Dr. Vora’s role will be to ensure that fellows and residents have a fantastic educational experience with ultrasound as part of the CCA service. Additionally, he will collaborate with other department leaders in ultrasound and echocardiography to facilitate optimal use, quality assurance, and documentation and billing of ultrasound within the CCA division.