SleepTalker October 2016

   Vahé S. Tateosian, MD has joined our department as an Assistant Professor in the Pediatric Anesthesiology Division. Dr. Tateosian received his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada in 2008. His internship was in Internal Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center. This was followed by an Anesthesiology residency at both Nassau University Medical Center and WInthrop University Hospital. Dr. Tateosian then traveled to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for a Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship in 2012-13. He then joined the staff of St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ and Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ.

   Dr. Tateosian is not a stranger to Long Island! He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Hofstra, worked as a Bioengineering Research Coordinator at Hofstra and did a Graduate Research Fellowship in the Department of Biomechanics here at Stony Brook.

   Dr. Tateosian is quite active in Medical Missions having traveled to Armenia for three of them. In addition, he organized and moderated the first ever live interactive kidney transplant surgery between St. Barnabas' and the Arabkir Medical Center in Yerevan, Armenia. This provided an interactive learning experience where medical professionals in Armenia interacted with the anesthesiologist, intensivist and transplant surgeon in real time during transplant surgery.

   Welcome back to Stony Brook, Dr. Tateosian!

Stephen Vitkun, MD, MBA, PhD
SAVE the DATE and SPREAD the WORD!
   The Annual Stony Brook Anesthesiology Alumni Reception!
   Saturday December 10th 2016 (PGA Saturday) from 5 to 7pm
   Venue: The Yale Club, NYC
   All Stony Brook Anesthesiology Faculty, Residents and Alumni are invited to attend.
   Please spread the word to the alumni you know!
   RSVP to Ms. Martha O'Brien by email or phone 631-444-2904 by November 28.

Press Ganey patient satisfaction reports on the Ambulatory Surgery Center

   Anesthesia/Anesthesiologist: Was very pleased anesthesiologist spoke with me before and explained everything. Made me feel much better.

   Anesthesia/Anesthesiologist: She was amazing and made me feel very comfortable.

   Overall Assessment: Every person I dealt with was kind, caring, courteous, informative and reassuring. Great job on every level!

   This was my first surgery and I was very scared. However, when I started meeting the nurses and anesthesiologist Dr. Eleanor Romano, I felt very safe and I had a great experience with the whole team. If you have to have surgery, this is the place to do it.

   Anesthesia/Anesthesiologist: Amazing, didn't feel a thing.

   Anesthesia/Anesthesiologist: I really liked the anesthesiologist - he spoke clearly and explained everything. He did a great job with the IV - it wasn't uncomfortable while waiting for surgery.    Anesthesiologist spoke with me before procedure to assume me of my care and explain what would occur. Again professional, friendly, comforting. Excellent!

   Jun Lin, MD, PhD, has been invited to serve on the ASA Educational Track Subcommittee on Ambulatory Anesthesia for the 2017 Governance Year.

   After just over one year, Dr. Aysha Hasan is leaving Stony Brook. She will assume a position at the Boston Children's Hospital. Best wishes! Dr. Hasan has this to say about her stay in our department:

   "I want to thank everyone for being kind and accepting me as a part of the faculty during this time last year. I had a very nice experience working amongst everyone. I will miss aspects of each and everyone in the department from fellow colleagues, residents, nurses, techs, administrators, and leadership. I have learned a great deal from my time being at Stony Brook and I hope to take some of these lessons to my next journey. I know I will see many if not all of you again later on down the path of my career at conferences and other anesthesia related events. I hope to stay in touch with many of you. My hope, from my time here at Stony Brook, is that I was able to contribute some of my own experiences and knowledge to the department and division to help towards its advancement and progression. Once again, thank you for being a wonderful group of people to be in a practice with. I hope to cross paths with all of you again in the future."

   Dr. Abdel-Aziz Gaber is retiring. Dr. Gaber studied medicine at Alexandria University in Egypt and did a Surgery Residency at Alexandria University Hospital. After coming to the US, he did a Anesthesiology Residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. This was followed by a Surgery Residency at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, OH. In 1999, he came to Stony Brook as an Anesthesiology resident. Dr. Gaber has been an Attending at Stony Brook since 2003. We wish him all the best in his retirement!

   More photos from recent farewell luncheons.

   Elliott Bennett-Guerrero, MD has been awarded a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for his proposal "VO₂ Max: In Vivo Model for Functional Red Cell Testing. Can RECESS be explained?" Although the FDA permits patients to be transfused with blood that has been stored up to 42-days, the effectiveness of this blood has never been determined. In his cross-over study, Dr. Bennett-Guerrero will randomize thirty fit 18-40 year old healthy volunteers to receive two units of their own autologous RBCs that have been stored for either 7, 28, or 42 days. He will test the hypothesis that exercise performance (VO₂ Max= maximum oxygen consumption) deteriorates after transfusion with RBCs stored for 42 but not 28 days. This is important because no studies have definitively shown that storage duration can affect RBC function. This model holds promise as a rigorous and quantitative in vivo functional assay of RBC function, which can address the quality of the oldest RBCs since a clinical trial is likely not feasible and also addresses an unmet need for future RBC transfusion research.

Srinivas Pentyala, PhD
   John Pfail, an undergrad student who works in my lab, was selected by NASA to work at Ames Research Center, in California this past summer. John worked on a project titled, "Cross-Species Meta-Analysis of Spaceflight Transcription Profiling Datasets". NASA has conducted a substantial number of high-throughput transcriptomics studies to evaluate the effects of space travel and microgravity on gene expression. These studies encompass a wide variety of model organisms including humans, mice, rats, fruit flies, roundworms, yeast and a flowering plant (thale cress). Comparison of expression profiles across species may reveal gene classes that are impacted by microgravity but were not revealed by the analysis of individual studies. Because gene orthologs often have similar functions, interactions, and regulatory mechanisms in different organisms, this approach may uncover basic, conserved pathways involved in the response of organisms to gravity. John performed a meta-analysis of the data in the NASA GeneLab repository. The goal was to identify functional systems impacted by spaceflight.

   Now that John has returned to Earth, I mean Stony Brook, he will use the tools he learned at NASA to the study the effects of algorithmically derived anabolic bone peptide on differential gene expression of stem cells.

Shivam Shodhan, MD

Can you tell us a little about your background (hometown, college, medical school, etc.)?
   I am from Eskisehir, Turkey. I moved to the U.S. right before college. I finished undergrad and medical school at the University of Miami.

What attracted you to anesthesiology?
   Since I did my first anesthesiology rotation as a medical student I thought anesthesiology was a great field. The people seemed happy, they had great things to say about their lifestyle, and the field itself was intellectually very stimulating. I did consider other fields afterwards but I am glad I ended up in anesthesiology.

How did you come to be a resident at Stony Brook (Why SB)?
   I heard great things about Dr. Gallagher from the people back home in Miami.

What do you like most about being a resident?
   Having all the other residents to support each other.

What do you like least about being a resident?
   Probably the same thing all the residents complain about all the time: The hours can be very demanding during residency. The already little free time we have, becomes even more precious when we have a family.

What pearls of wisdom would you like to share with your fellow junior residents to help them succeed in their time here and future careers?
   Use every opportunity to learn. This is our time to try different things and possibly make mistakes, when we still have the training wheels on, and that's ok.

How would you describe our Stony Brook Medicine Anesthesiology Residency Program?
   Every program has its pluses and minuses. I am grateful for all the education and experiences I gained here. In these three years I met a lot of amazing people, and hopefully formed life long friendships. I am very thankful for all the support I received over these years and very happy to be a part of the anesthesia family.

So what's the next step (fellowship, attending, research) you will be taking as you transition from the role of a resident to fellow/attending next summer?
   Private practice, most likely back to Miami, what can I say I'm happier when I'm at the beach!

If you could do it all over again (become a doctor), would you?
   I would definitely go into medicine again, I cannot imagine doing anything else.

If you hadn’t chosen to go into medicine, what career path might you have followed?
   I want Anthony Bourdain's job!

What has been your favorite residency memory of your 4 years here at Stony Brook?
   During our first month in anesthesia, one day we were sent home early and we all ended up going to the beach together. That was great.

When you aren't running on around the hospital saving lives, how do you like to spend your free time?
   I like to spend time with my daughter Sophie, preferably at the beach. Also like to try different restaurants/food around the city with my friends and my husband Felix.

What do you like the most (and least) about living on Long Island?
   I don't live on Long Island, but I hear the parks are nice.

What is your favorite type of food?
   I love mediterranean, korean, spanish, italian, sweet, savory,..basically all food except okra. No matter how many different ways I tried okra I don't seem to like it.

What's your favorite restaurant in LI/NYC?
   There is this Korean bbq place in Queens close to my place I enjoy very much, I can't remember the name though.

Where would you love to travel to next and why?
   Spain I think, because I love tapas!

What's your favorite Tourist Activity in LI/NYC?
   Definitely the beaches in LI and all the restaurants, bars and shows in NYC, there is so much to do.

Describe yourself in three words.
   Positive, Calm, Goofy

Who is your role model and why?
   I have to say Dr. Poovathor as well, like Soohoo my goal is to get a mustache like his one day! Joking a side we have some great attendings here whom I wish one day I will come close to in knowledge and skills.

If you could make one wish, what would it be?
   Considering the way the world is changing right now, I wish our children will have a decent future. Wow...that sounded too depressing, let's go with world peace.

If you could leave us with one of your favorite quotes, what would that be?
   He'ping

   Department members will be making 36 presentations and moderate an abstract session at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The meeting will be held in Chicago from October 22-26. A meeting itinerary can be viewed and downloaded at the Department of Anesthesiology website. (It is on the Quick Links menu found on every webpage).
   Please visit our Presenters while you are at the ASA meeting. And, don't forget to take photos of department members standing in front of posters! We can use these in November's issue of SleepTalker, on our website and in the library display case.

Shivam Shodhan, MD and Ursula Landman, DO

   The first Journal Club of this academic year took place on September 22nd in the Stony Brook Galleria. The topics for the evening were Perioperative Visual Loss, Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and a brief statistical review on p-value. The session was moderated by Dr. Wesam Androus.

   Dr. Rey Llenes presented a study on risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) by the Postoperative Visual Loss Study Group. He shared how ION can commonly cause visual loss after spinal fusion surgery. The study compared 80 patients with ION to 315 matched control subjects. The various ION-dependent risk factors were male sex, obesity, wilson frame, long surgery duration, larger blood loss and lower percent colloid given. The authors concluded that preventative strategies are the only option to reduce the incidence of visual loss. The ASA practice advisory for perioperative vision loss additionally recommends to use maneuvers to keep the head at or higher than the heart to reduce venous congestion in the head. Additionally, the risk of ION may also be decreased by minimizing the prone position and maximizing hemostasis/minimizing EBL, and using of colloid along with crystalloid.

   Dr. Aylin Gonzales reviewed a paper on perioperative visual loss in spine fusion surgery by Rubin et al. The study used a large, nationwide hospital database to identify trends and risk factors for ION incidence during spinal fusion. They found that perioperatve ION in spinal fusion decreased 2.7-fold between 1998-2012. Additionally, older age, male sex, transfusion history and obesity were factors that increased the risk of ION. A limitation of the study included not enough data to assess the accuracy of coding complication such as ION (over- or under-coding). Additionally, we discussed the importance of informed consent from surgeons and anesthesiologists, since this is a devastating complication that patients should be aware of and understand.

   Dr. Rany Makaryus began a multi-part statistical review series which will take place over the Journal Club sessions this academic year. To start off the first review sessions, he focused on the meaning of a p-value. The p-value is defined as the probability of obtaining a result equal to or "more extreme" than what was actually observed, when the null hypothesis is true. He reminded us to that this statistical measure is distinct from clinical significance.

   Be sure to join us on our upcoming Journal Club this month on October 6th at The Curry Club, where we will discuss nitrous oxide induced PONV and GFR as a predictor of outcomes! Refer to the Journal Club web page for about the papers discussed at this and past Journal Clubs.

• Oprea AD, Lombard FW, Liu WW, White WD, Karhausen JA, Li YJ, Miller TE, Aronson S, Gan TJ, Fontes ML, Kertai MD. Baseline Pulse Pressure, Acute Kidney Injury, and Mortality After Noncardiac Surgery. Anesth Analg. 2016 Sep 7
• Kapadia K, Cheung F, Lee W, Thalappillil R, Florence FB, Kim J. Methylene Blue Causing Serotonin Syndrome Following Cystocele Repair. Urol Case Rep. 2016 Aug 30;9:15-7
• Chen J, Dou Y, Zheng X, Leng T, Lu X, Ouyang Y, Sun H, Xing F, Mai J, Gu J, Lu B, Yan G, Lin J, Zhu W. TRPM7 channel inhibition mediates midazolam-induced proliferation loss in human malignant glioma. Tumour Biol. 2016
• Segall N, Bennett-Guerrero E. Should Checklists for Central Venous Catheter Insertion Be Used in Training, Credentialing, or Routine Clinical Care? Crit Care Med. 2016 Oct;44(10):1943-1944
• Tan M, Gan TJ. Opioid-Induced Hallucination: Distressful or Sought After? Anesth Analg. 2016 Oct;123(4):818-819
• Thiele RH, Raghunathan K, Brudney CS, Lobo DN, Martin D, Senagore A, Cannesson M, Gan TJ, Mythen MM, Shaw AD, Miller TE; Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) I Workgroup. American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) joint consensus statement on perioperative fluid management within an enhanced recovery pathway for colorectal surgery. Perioper Med (Lond). 2016 Sep 17;5:24
• Shodhan S, Miller TE, Mythen M, Gan TJ. Enhanced Recovery Programs: Perioperative Care Pathways to Improve Outcomes and Value. Anesthesiology News, September 2016
• Barykina NV, Subach OM, Doronin DA, Sotskov VP, Roshchina MA, Kunitsyna TA, Malyshev AY, Smirnov IV, Azieva AM, Sokolov IS, Piatkevich KD, Burtsev MS, Varizhuk AM, Pozmogova GE, Anokhin KV, Subach FV, Enikolopov GN. A new design for a green calcium indicator with a smaller size and a reduced number of calcium-binding sites. Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 28;6:34447

   The Medical Student Anesthesia Interest Groups are off to a great start. This month, I spoke to 68 Stony Brook Medical Students and 67 NYIT COM students about anesthesiology as a specialty. I also discussed the different subspecialties, academic vs. private practice and the Summer Research opportunities available through FAER. The students had some good questions and expressed interest in the activities the groups will offer this year. Many students plan to attend the PGA in December. If you happen to see one of them, please make a point of introducing yourself.
   The president of the NYIT-COM group this year is Sal Intagliata who used to be an anesthesia technologist in our department!
   Please let me know if you would like to speak with either or both of the groups this academic year.

   I often use this column to boast about the accomplishments of current and past students. Forgive me then, Dear Reader, for turning this around to tell you about a former student who did something awesome ... for me! In 1990, Hiren Mody became the first Stony Brook undergraduate student to pursue research in my lab. I appreciated his dedication, his attention to details and his friendly personality. When he took a year off between graduation and medical school, I welcomed him back into the lab as a research technician. When he had a half-year interval between completing his MD and starting his residency, I was more than happy for him to continue working on the lab's research. After finishing his residency, Dr. Mody became a hospitalist at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, where he remains today. Every so often, he comes by to chat. When he visited this spring, he told me that he had contributed to Stamford Hospital's new building campaign. He was told that the size of his contribution entitled him to "name" a room. Hiren then asked my permission for him to "name" the room for me! Wow, was I shocked! Hiren said that of all his teachers throughout the years, I had made the biggest impression on him. Unbeknownst to me, I had taught him to teach! He said that he employs my style of teaching and my patience with students, when he teaches medical students and residents at Stamford Hospital. On September 17, Kate, Andrew, Kate's Dad, my sister Lena, her husband Tom, Hiren and I met at the newly-opened hospital, went to the cardiology floor and visited Room 931. I was truly touched and honored.

   The lesson here, I believe, is the importance of Teaching and Mentorship. Be it in the lab, in the classroom or in a clinical setting, we must always strive to find the right words and to assume the right attitude when we teach ... because it matters! You must have had at least one teacher in your life who really made a difference to you. Have you told her or him that lately?

   P.S. There is no truth to the rumor that I have incorporated "931" into all of my internet passwords! Just some of them.

   At the Cow Harbor 10k Race in Northport on September 17: Dr. Betty Hua; Dr. Steve Chen, Troy Stiebel, CRNA; Dr. Jeff Josma.

   As we awaken to misty mornings and smooth winds rustling the repainted leaves from their trees, it means autumn is here and summer is finally over. Along with the change in foliage comes many treats for everyone. Football season starts, TV shows resume, pumpkin-flavored beers arise, and let’s not forget the return of seasonal coffee flavors (pumpkin spice lattes)! Yes, anesthesiologists love their coffee!

   So let’s pack away the trauma season for another few months, grab a nice cup of coffee, take a moment to sit outside on a bench and enjoy the beauty of change.

   P.S. In recognition of the importance of coffee, Stony Brook University just debuted their Starbucks coffee-truck (picture)! It's one of only eight in the country and the first ever in New York State. It will serve the full line of hot and cold beverages, along with pastries, breakfast sandwiches and lunch items, and will be located near the Student Activities Center on the university campus.