It is our privilege to serve as the primary anesthesia provider at Montefiore Einstein health system during a period of growth. In 2025, we have integrated successfully two new sites, Montefiore New Rochelle and Mt Vernon. We have also increased the volume of patients who receive care in the Montefiore plastic surgery center, located in Tribeca on Greenwich Street. We have led the way with our colleagues to increase access to ambulatory procedures in the operating room as well as procedural suites. Moving forward, the Department of Anesthesiology is in a unique position to support MHS in their expanded footprint throughout the greater New York State area, while continuing to provide excellent care to the Bronx community. Our faculty also continue to demonstrate their expertise and leadership across New York State and nationally.

Our greatest achievements in 2025 have been the result of collaboration, innovative thinking, and a growth mindset by our faculty and staff. In collaboration with institutional leadership, we spearheaded the second phase of pediatric perioperative care at the Montefiore Hutchinson Campus Ambulatory Surgery Center, implemented a new bundle intervention to improve patient preoperative experience, and expanded the scope of our Critical Care Anesthesiology Division. These are just a few of the impactful projects our faculty and department members have been working on over the last year to continue to provide exemplary patient care.

Our Anesthesiology Digital Health Research Lab and clinician scientists continue to conduct high quality research and have published more than 70 original articles in high impact factor, peer-reviewed journals this year. One of our most impactful research projects in 2025 culminated in an article published in The Lancet, titled “Association of medication-induced deep sedation and emotional distress during mechanical ventilation with loss of independent living: an observational cohort study.” This study highlights the critical role of anesthesiology-led management in carefully balancing sedation depths to ensure both immediate patient comfort and long-term functional outcomes for ICU patients. At the heart of our work is conducting multidisciplinary research that will have a tangible impact on future patient outcomes. Vice Chair of Research, Dr. Nafiu has brought a wealth of experience with him to Montefiore Einstein as we continue to expand our anesthesia services for pediatric patients and conduct research to study the effects of anesthesia on children. Dr. Nafiu’s recent article in JAMA Surgery highlighted variations in access to helicopter transport for patients needing transfer to quaternary care centers, indicating that not all patients had equal availability of airlift services.

Education remains a top priority for our department, and we continue to invest in providing educational initiatives for medical students at Einstein as well as additional resources for our residents and fellows. We have extended the residency program by 6 residents, and we launched a Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, and Performance Improvement (QIPS) Track for Residents. This structured track is designed to cultivate residents’ expertise in systems-based practice, healthcare process optimization, and data-driven approaches to enhancing patient outcomes. In alignment with these efforts, Fellowship Director Dr. Vivek Kumar and Cardiac Anesthesia Division Director Dr. Peter Von Homeyer led a strategic overhaul of the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship curriculum. This initiative was designed to better prepare graduates for board certification and long-term clinical excellence. Our goal for 2026 is to continue to cultivate academic curiosity among our trainees and to recruit a talented class of residents who are passionate about serving the Bronx community.

With both new and veteran members, our department is in a wonderful position to continue to serve our patient population. Inspired by the energy of the Bronx, it is our honor to serve the Montefiore Einstein community. As we innovate through research, collaboration, and quality improvement, we continue to advance in the field of medicine and surgery and inspire tomorrow’s anesthesiology leaders.