Anesthesiology Alumni Professorship
Dr. Louis A. Stool, Vice Chairman of Financial Affairs, was recently appointed to the Anesthesiology Alumni Professorship.  Dr. Stool graduated from Southwestern Medical School in 1979 and completed Anesthesiology residency training in our program in 1994.  He joined the faculty of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at UT Southwestern in 1994 and has been a driving force for the department and the institution for over ten years.  Dr. Stool has also been extremely active in alumni affairs; he has served on the UT Southwestern Board of Alumni Trustees since 1998, was Chairman of their By-Laws Committee for a year, served as President Elect from 2002 through 2004, and has been elected President through 2006.  Our congratulations go out to Dr. Stool on this well deserved and prestigious honor.

Wall Appointed by the American College of Critical Care Medicine
Dr. Michael H. Wall, Vice Chairman of Clinical Affairs and Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology, recently received the prestigious, honorary title of Fellow in the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM).  Candidates for designation as fellow are judged on their educational background, practice experience, and demonstration of outstanding leadership and productivity in the multidisciplinary critical care community.  Dr. Wall exemplifies these qualities and we are pleased to congratulate him on this outstanding achievement in Critical Care Medicine.

Parkland Health and Hospital Systems
Dr. Babatunde O. Ogunnaike has been named Director of General Anesthesiology at Parkland Memorial Hospital.   Parkland is a major trauma center with 18 operating rooms in the main operating suite.  More than 25% of all surgical cases are classified as emergency. 

University Hospitals - St. Paul
Dr. Johnston recently named Dr. Philip J. DuChamp Interim Director of General Anesthesia Services at St. Paul University Hospital, covering the operating rooms and out-of-OR sites.  Dr. Carol D. Weidner is Director of Women's Anesthesia Services, focusing on obstetrical and gynecological specialties.

Governor's Appointment to State Committee
Dr. James D. Griffin was recently appointed Presiding Officer of the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee by Governor Rick Perry.  Appointed to this committee by former Governor George W. Bush in 2000, Dr. Griffin was reappointed by Governor Perry in 2001.  The committee develops a managed healthcare plan for Texas prison inmates. 

Jenkins Society Reception - October 24, 2004
Receptions are held each year during the ASA Annual Meeting and 2004 was no exception! The Tenth Annual Jenkins Alumni Association Reception was held Sunday, October 24th from 6 to 9 pm at the Las Vegas Hilton. This come-and-go event provided the perfect opportunity to meet new faculty and resident alumni, see old friends, and catch up on the latest news. 

Tao receives NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award
Dr. Weike Tao has received this prestigious 5-year, $751,367 award to study how underlying physiological changes associated with aging put the elderly at a disproportionately high risk of death after acute injuries.  The NIH selected Dr. Tao based on his track record, UT Southwestern's research environment, andthe strengths of his mentors, Drs. Jureta W. Horton, Rhonda Bassel-Duby, and William E. Johnston.  Dr. Tao is very grateful that the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management values scientific investigations and supports his research efforts. 

Noteworthy Editorial
If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to read Dr. Paul White's editorial Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - A Multimodal Solution to a Persistent Problem in The New England Journal of Medicine. 

Texas Society of Anesthesiologists
Representation in the 2005 Texas Society of Anesthesiologists House of Delegates includes the following Departmental Faculty :
District Director - Dr. Girish P. Joshi
Delegates
     Place 1 - Dr. William E. Johnston
     Place 3 - Dr. Edward J. Prejean
     Place 6 - Dr. Louis A. Stool
     Place 7 - Dr. Babatunde Ogunnaike
Alternate Delegates
     Place 1 - Dr. Karl E. Griffith
     Place 2 - Dr. Fay Z. Safavi
     Place 6 - Dr. Thomas A. Lacour

The Edward R. "ERJ" Johnson Outstanding Visiting Student Award in Anesthesiology
In recognition of his dedication to medical student education in anesthesiology, our newly established medical student award has been named in honor of Dr. Edward R. "ERJ" Johnson.  The 2004 award went to Recipient Jason Voigt. 

M. T. "Pepper" Jenkins Outstanding Medical Student Award
Each year, the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management honors a graduating UT Southwestern medical student whose characteristics demonstrate extraordinary potential as a future physician.  The 2005 award went to John Alexander. 

Robert D. Dripps, M.D. Memorial Award
Dr. Ralph Gertler was presented the 2004 Robert D. Dripps, M.D. Memorial Award.  Dr. Gertler has demonstrated outstanding ability during his residency in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, during which he served as Chief Resident.  Dr. Gertler commented "I consider myself honored to receive this award.  Not just because of all the fine predecessors I have had, but I am humbled to be considered someone with a potential to advance the practice of anesthesia.  Robert Dripps was a person with a vision for the progress of anesthesia practice and medicine, and I will try hard to hopefully play a minor role in future anesthesia practice.  Thanks to all the faculty at UT Southwestern for their contribution to my development as such." 

Faculty of the Year
Residents of the department awarded the 2004 Faculty of the Year Award to Dr. Babatunde Ogunnaike, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management.  Dr. Ogunnaike stated "I am honored to receive the Faculty of the Year Award.  I consider the award to be a vote from the residents to encourage continued interest in resident teaching, to be approachable and available, and to provide a stress-free environment that helps improve learning."  Dr. Ogunnaike is a prior recipient of the Dennis F. Landers Junior Faculty Teaching Award.

Dennis F. Landers Junior Faculty Teaching Award
Faculty who have been with the department four years or less are also recognizedby the residents for exemplary teaching merits.  The 2004 award went to Dr. James Wall, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, who demonstrates a true enthusiasm for clinical teaching in and out of the operating room.