Q:What's a typical workday like for you?

A:We provide anesthesia care for patients having all types of surgical procedures. We take care of patients of all ages with a wide variety of medical concerns. We also care for women who are having babies.

Q:How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?

A:With the aging of the population, there are more and more surgeries being done each year. That trend is expected to continue. We will continue to have an important role in providing care to outpatients and inpatients having a variety of surgical procedures.

Q:Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

A:We interact with many other physicians. We work closely with surgeons and the operating room staff, including certified registered nurse anesthetists and other registered nurses in the OR (operating room) and in the recovery room.

Q:Why did you become anesthesiologist?

A: I had done previous pain research and was interested in helping patients who were having surgery and those suffering from pain. Surgery is a very acute and stressful event in a patient's life, and it's rewarding to be able to a have a positive impact and help patients get through a stressful time in their lives.

Q:What do you like about your work?

A: I like the acute nature of taking care of patients in the OR. The OR atmosphere is a unique setting because we're there to fix a problem, and you can see immediate results that are often profound and sometimes life-saving. It's also rewarding to take care of moms who are having babies because we can dramatically reduce the pain of labor.