Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Saint Louis University. We are delighted by your interest in our residency program. We would like to highlight why completing the next phase of your training at SLU is a unique and fulfilling experience in the heart of a beautiful city.
The breadth of clinical training offered at Saint Louis University is unmatched and prepares our residents for independent practice following graduation. As an active Level 1 trauma center, our residents quickly gain experience and expertise in advanced resuscitation and caring for high-acuity patients, both in the operating rooms and intensive care units. Our hardworking residents make learning from many of our distinguished faculty an enjoyable experience.
As a clinical base year intern, you will rotate through several months of medicine and surgical subspecialties. Of note, our intern year includes five months rotating within the anesthesiology department. This includes pre-anesthesia clinic, the anesthesiology critical care service, developing health care administration skills in our practice management course and our June OR boot-camp month which will fully prepare you for your transition into the OR. These months will allow you to form bonds not only with your anesthesiology colleagues, but also develop interdepartmental relationships with other surgical subspecialty residents.
The majority of your clinical anesthesia years will be spent in the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital ORs. You will build a strong academic and procedural foundation through the early, broad exposure to many diverse cases. Our ever-evolving curriculum allows for flexibility to meet the needs of each resident as they develop throughout their clinical years.
Our robust academic curriculum has many moving parts, including morning keywords, weekly didactic lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conference, hands on ultrasound workshops, oral board prep, and simulation lab sessions. Many of our residents travel to and present at national anesthesia conferences, as well as subspecialty conferences. Also of note, these academic endeavors are funded by the department. Our education curriculum will help you build an excellent knowledge foundation to effectively take advantage of the medically complex cases offered here at Saint Louis University.
We are fortunate to have a new, state of the art hospital as our main clinical site. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital will serve as your home for the majority of residency. Other facilities for training are all within the St. Louis metro area including: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital (next door to Saint Louis University Hospital), SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, John Cochran VA Hospital and Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Anesthesiology residency at Saint Louis University not only guarantees a strong clinical education, but also a tight knit departmental family that genuinely cares about your well-being. Monthly department-sponsored socials around the city embody our commitment to fostering a cohesive work community. Our campus is situated close to downtown St. Louis, the national award-winning Forest Park, and many of the unique neighborhoods in the St. Louis area. Whether you are interested in family fun, nightlife, food, music, or sports, St. Louis has exciting options for everyone.
Ultimately, our anesthesiology residency will give you a strong, balanced and supportive environment to gain superior clinical skill and knowledge that will lay the foundation for any career path you choose to pursue.
We look forward to meeting you!
Navneesh Purewal, M.D., and Derek Chung, D.O.
Chief residents
Marc Abi Karam, M.D.
Beirut, Lebanon
University of St. Joseph
Atef Haifa, D.O.
San Antonio, Texas
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Louisiana
Joseph Hoyle, M.D.
Springfield, Illinois
Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at T.C.U.
Madelyn Hunsaker, M.D.
Bridgeton, Missouri
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Christopher Johnson, M.D.
Springfield, Illinois
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Camilla Kachar, M.D.
St. Louis
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Reid Poggemeier, D.O.
St. Charles, Missouri
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Evan Sembell, M.D.
Springfield, Illinois
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Jaganjot Singh, D.O.
Bellingham, Washington
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jordan Yokley, D.O.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
A.T. Still Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jessica Bennion, D.O.
Logan, Utah
A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Medicine
Elizabeth Caravana, D.O.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Alec Garcia, M.D.
St. Louis
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Michael Lugo, M.D.
Yorba Linda, California
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Amanda”Nici” McCrary, M.D.
Hallsville, Missouri
University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Craig Mitchell, D.O.
Kissimmee, Florida
Kansas City University
Thomas Oh, M.D.
San Antonio, Texas
Long School of Medicine
Daniel Ohlhausen, M.D.
Liberty, Missouri
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Kyle Polhemus, M.D.
Jacksonville, Florida
St. George’s University of Medicine
Jonathan Staheli, D.O.
Parker, Colorado
Kansas City University
Steven Blackshear, D.O.
Springfield, Missouri
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bridget Devlin, M.D.
Fresno, California
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Suhail Hiermandi, D.O.
Glendale, Arizona
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Caleb Kimm, D.O.
Keystone, Iowa
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Daniel Kong, D.O.
Orange County, California
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jaron Madsen, D.O.
Mesa, Arizona
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
John Merlo, M.D.
St. Louis
Ross University School of Medicine
Nathan Parry, M.D.
Waterford, Michigan
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Mallory Rearden, D.O.
Salem, Illinois
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Zachary Rocca, D.O.
Tampa, Florida
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Derek Chung, D.O.
Chief Resident
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Courtlin Culbreath, M.D.
Herrin, Illinois
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Ryan Haag, D.O.
QI Chief
Sterling, Michigan
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Kirstie Holterman, M.D.
Labadie, Missouri
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Suraj Kaushal, D.O.
Detroit
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael Scott Lasky, M.D.
St. Louis
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Amanda Minzer, M.D.
Academic Chief
Thousand Oaks, California
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Navneesh Pandher, M.D.
Chief Resident
Detroit
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Robert Patterson, D.O.
Grand Junction, California
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic
Mark Soisson, M.D.
Romeo, Michigan
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Where They Went
2024 Graduates
Fellowships:
- Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Chronic pain, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Academic:
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis (four graduates)
Private Practice:
- Vacaville, California
- Hudson, Florida
- Indianapolis
2023 Graduates
Fellowships:
- Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Alabama - Birmingham
- Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Chronic pain, Montefiore/Albert Einstein University, New York
- Chronic pain, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
- Chronic pain, University of Iowa, Iowa City
- Chronic pain, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
- Pediatric anesthesia, University of Kansas - Childrens' Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri
Private Practice:
- Oklahoma City
- Provo, Utah
- Redding, California