Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellows

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memories from residency come from the day-to-day moments I shared with my co-residents. Despite the long hours and intense workload, we always found ways to support one another and make the experience enjoyable. Some of my best memories are from our daily breakfast or lunch breaks together; those brief pauses in a busy day when we could decompress, share stories from our cases, and just laugh about something completely unrelated to medicine.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I chose cardiovascular anesthesia because I’m drawn to the complexity, intensity, and teamwork that define this field. I enjoy long, challenging cases that require focus and precision, and I find it deeply rewarding to manage patients with complex cardiac pathology where every decision can have an immediate impact on outcomes. I also really enjoy performing procedures, whether it’s placing invasive lines, managing TEE, or tailoring hemodynamic management in real time. Cardiac anesthesia offers the perfect balance between procedural skills and critical thinking.

What drew you to BCM?
What drew me to BCM was the incredible clinical exposure and hands-on experience. The case volume is very high, and the complexity of the cases provides an excellent environment to grow as a clinician. I also really value the fact that fellows manage their own cases. The diversity of patients and pathologies ensures constant learning, and the opportunity to work alongside skilled, approachable faculty makes the training experience even stronger.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
My favorite thing about Houston is definitely the food scene. The diversity of restaurants here is incredible. You can find amazing cuisine from all over the world, often just within a few blocks. I’m especially a big fan of the sushi options in the city.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
One new thing I started during fellowship was making more time for life outside of work. I picked up golf and started playing tennis more regularly, which have both been great outlets for stress and a fun way to stay active. I’ve also taken advantage of some moonlighting opportunities, which have helped me build more independence and confidence as an attending soon-to-be. And with a bit more flexibility in my schedule, I’ve been able to travel more; it’s been nice to finally explore new places in and out of the country after years of training.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
During intern year, one of the patients that I had been taking care of on my cardiology rotation had her small daughter visiting. They made a rose out of pipe cleaner and craft foam and gave it to me as a thanks. I felt so fresh while wearing the rose on my jacket during rounds that morning.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I was drawn to cardiovascular anesthesia because I enjoy taking care of my patients during the most physiologically challenging surgeries by ensuring that they are safe and comfortable.

What drew you to BCM?
Baylor College of Medicine has been key to my growth as a medical doctor. From medical school to now fellowship, BCM has given me to tools to become the best anesthesiologist I can be.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
I am a homebody, so I would pick my home.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
I am now a proud, new parent since my son was born during the first month of fellowship.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
Exploring local breweries with my co-residents.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
A combination of working with a patient population who can have rapid improvement in quality of life, post-operatively, and creative solutions to treating cardiovascular disease make this subspecialty an incredibly rewarding career path.

What drew you to BCM?
BCM is a high-volume leader in cardiovascular surgery. The supportive faculty and staff make this program an ideal center for training in CV anesthesiology.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
El Tiempo on Richmond Ave has some of the best tacos in the city.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
Houston has a lot of run clubs across the city, which has been a great opportunity for me to meet new people and stay active in fellowship.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memories are from when I became a dad. Our first son was born during my intern year, and our second arrived when I was a CA-2 resident. Balancing sleepless nights at home with sleepless nights on call wasn’t easy, but those years shaped me the most.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I love how it blends physiology, imaging, and critical thinking. Every case is a chance to solve complex problems in real time. It’s high-pressure, but that’s exactly what makes it rewarding.

What drew you to BCM?
The variety and depth of cases here are incredible. The faculty are supportive and genuinely invested in teaching, which makes it a great environment to train in.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
Weekend mornings at Buffalo Bayou or Hermann Park are my favorite. We usually grab coffee, load up the stroller, and let the kids run around the playground or chase ducks by the pond. It’s a simple routine, but it’s become our little family tradition. Houston’s food scene is another highlight. We’re always finding new favorites, from Korean comfort food to Tex-Mex.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
I actually started running again during fellowship, just a few miles after work. It’s been the best stress reliever and helps me reset.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memory from that time is the birth of my kids. My favorite memories from specifically related to residency are the times Ive spent with my co-residents and staff and the relationships that were formed in that environment.  

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I choose CV anesthesia because I have always been drawn to the more complex and involved cases. I enjoy complex physiology, multiple procedures, and constant communication in the CV ORs between us and the surgical team.  

What drew you to BCM?
In short, I knew that THI at BCM would train me to accomplish what I mentioned above. More specifically, you get to take care of some of the most complex cases in the nation on a daily basis and get a wide exposure to all things CV. On top of that you get to work with phenomenal staff that take a personal interest in your education and are a joy to work with. You will leave with the tools to take care of any patient that comes through the OR doors.  

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
I have loved the food scene in Houston and my wife and I enjoy sneaking away for a date night to try new restaurants whenever we can.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
As my kids are getting a bit older, and we live in a great neighborhood, we have started weekly bike rides as a family that has been a lot of fun.  

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memory from residency would have to be the transition from CA-1 year to CA-2 year. Overnight, I was no longer the most novice anesthetist in the hospital and the increase in responsibility came with an increased sense of accomplishment.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
Going into medical school, I was interested in cardiology and cardiac surgery because I was born with a congenital heart disease known as transposition of the great arteries. By rotating through different cardiac services, I met the cardiac anesthesiologists and was so impressed with their ability to manipulate physiology and interpret echocardiograms in real time to positively impact the success of high stakes procedures. After a short time with them, I knew that this was my place in medicine.

What drew you to BCM?
CV Anesthesia fellowship is actually the second time I have come to BCM, first as a medical student and now again as a PGY-5. I visited Houston as a senior in college, never having been to Texas, and the medical school staff and students showed me such a warm welcome and the Texas Medical Center was so impressive in its offerings, that I decided to make Houston my home for the next several years. I am glad to return to complete my training in CV Anesthesiology at Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine because I believe there is no better training program for this field. We leave this program with exposure to every facet of cardiothoracic anesthesia, and by sitting our own cases as fellows, we learn to multitask and take complete care of the patient.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
Houston has many fantastic parks with amazing running/walking trails. My wife and I frequent Hermann and Memorial Parks as well as the Buffalo and White Oak Bayou trails. I also have to mention Pappasito’s Cantina, which is not limited to Houston, but is a Texas staple for Tex-Mex.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
As a scholarly project during fellowship, the staff at BCM are mentoring me in completing a review article for a CV Anesthesia journal. I have found it to be an interesting way to delve deeply into a topic, learn about it at the level of granularity expected for a fellow, and be able to produce meaningful research as an end product.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
Favorite memories from medical school and residency has always been the people. Whether it’s studying at a coffee shop or teaming up for a difficult case, being around people you like really make things fun.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, I wanted to be able to provide anesthesia to any patient that requires surgery. The most complex surgeries are typically cardiac cases. I believe the additional training will give me the skills and knowledge to manage any adult patient, and in turn make me a better anesthesiologist.

What drew you to BCM?
Houston is home, and Baylor College of Medicine is a household name. It is synonymous with excellence in research and medical training. As residents, we rotate through at least five hospitals in the medical center, the largest medical center in the world. As a fellow, I can attest that my training was more than adequate in preparing me for the next step. I believe this fellowship will do the same.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
I love the diversity here in Houston. I’ve traveled to other states and the other places around the world, but few have the melting pot of cultures we have here. And with the blending of cultures, we have so many different types of food, and even fusion foods. It’s hard to have a bad meal, which is a good problem to have!

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
I have not started a new hobby, but since the start of fellowship I do feel like I have had more time to spend with my family. I have two little girls, and I’ve been doing a lot more with them now and I appreciate that.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memory from residency was making lifelong friends with my co-residents.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I really enjoyed caring for the complex patients in our CT ICU as a resident. When I did my first rotations in cardiovascular anesthesia, I found that I loved taking care of our most complex patients in the operating room as well. In particular, I enjoy the teamwork with nurses, perfusionists, and surgeons required to manage the most challenging patients and get them safely through surgery.

What drew you to BCM?
I had a fantastic mentor as a resident who spoke highly of his training here. When I interviewed with the faculty, I found everyone to be honest, easygoing, and focused on fellow education. I was also drawn to the incredible case variety and the opportunity to train at a center working at the forefront of cardiovascular surgery.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
My favorite spot in Houston is the Menil Collection.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
Landmark central access and endovascular total arches!

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
During my last year of residency, I enjoyed being able to teach new junior residents in the operating room. It was humbling and rewarding to help them learn and grow over the course of their training.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I have a background in chemical engineering, and I naturally gravitated towards anesthesiology due to the overlap with my engineering background. Several of the engineering classes I took, including fluid dynamics, pump mechanics, organic chemistry, and process engineering, are directly applicable to anesthesiology. Cardiac anesthesiology takes these concepts to the next level, particularly with topics such as complex cardiac physiology, transesophageal echocardiography, and use of mechanical circulatory support.

What drew you to BCM?
I attended BCM for both medical school and anesthesiology residency. I enjoyed seeing how close-knit and friendly everybody was within the anesthesiology department. Staying for fellowship was the obvious choice. In addition, the breadth and complexity of cases that we see within the Texas Medical Center and specifically at the Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine are second to none and provide for excellent training.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
Eating and exploring my way through Chinatown.

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
Cases involving circulatory arrest.

What is your favorite memory from medical school or residency?
My favorite memory from residency is getting to make lifelong friends and go to Italy with them on a week off from work, stay in a villa in Tuscany, and take cooking classes together.

Why did you choose cardiovascular anesthesia?
I chose CV anesthesia because I really enjoy the higher acuity cases, and enjoy the more collaborative teamwork dynamic that is usually present in the cardiac ORs. My job feels more rewarding to me at the end of the day knowing that I played a small role in the care of someone truly sick.

What drew you to BCM?
The diversity of cardiac cases at BCM is largely unmatched, from open thoracoabdominal aneurysms to all sorts of mechanical support devices and a very busy cath lab. I knew that although this year could be challenging, it would prepare me for whatever job was to come next and I would get to learn from some of the best anesthesia and surgical staff in the country.

What’s your favorite thing and/or spot in Houston?
My favorite thing to do in Houston is to check out all the cute coffee shops all around the city. There are a ton of them!

What is one new thing you started in fellowship that you hadn’t done before?
Giving angiotensin II as a vasopressor for the really sick hearts.