Faculty

Dr. Charles Whitten, M.D.
Department Chairman

Undergrad: Southern Methodist University (BSEE with sub-specialization in bio-medical engineering)
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Internship: Flexible Anesthesia Internship at Baylor University Medical Center – Dallas, TX
Residency Program: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Fellowship Training: Liver Transplantation, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at Baylor University Medical Center – Dallas, TX Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Economics of Anesthesiology Practice, Leadership Development, Peri-operative inflammatory responses, Peri-operative coagulation abnormalities
Hobbies: Golf, College basketball-MIZZOU and SMU, Professional hockey (golf on ice!)

Department Leadership

James M. Berry, M.D.

James M. Berry, M.D.

Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs

Undergrad: Rice University (BA, Biochemistry and Chemistry)
Medical School: University of Texas – Houston
Internship: Christus St. Joseph, Houston – Transitional
Residency Program: University of Texas – Houston
Fellowship Training: Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Environmental effects of anesthetics, anesthetic recycling, anesthesia hardware and technology
Hobbies: Aviation, Amateur radio/electronics, Astrophotography (and that’s just the A’s)

Gloria Cheng, M.D.

Gloria Cheng, M.D.

Vice-Chair of Operations, Director of Regional Anesthesia Division - University Hospitals

Undergrad: University of Kansas
Medical School: University of Kansas (Rockchalk Jayhawk!)
Residency Program: University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Fellowship Training: Regional Anesthesia, University of California San Diego (UCSD)
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Regional Anesthesia, Clinical Operations
Hobbies: Cooking and reading food blogs, spending time with family, savoring streaming shows after the kids go to sleep (just finished Schitt's Creek, restarting The West Wing, getting through The Crown.)

James D. Griffin, M.D.

James D. Griffin, M.D.

Vice-Chair for Parkland Health & Hospital System

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin (BA, Biology)
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School - Dallas
Internship: University of Texas Southwestern - Presbyterian Hospital - Internal Medicine - Dallas
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Dallas
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Non-opiate analgesics, patient flow logistics, post herpetic neuralgia, airway management
Hobbies: Traveling, art collecting, politics, theater, professional sports

Stephen Kimatian, M.D.

Stephen Kimatian, M.D.

Vice-Chair of Pediatric Anesthesiology

Undergrad: Princeton University – BA Chemistry
Medical School: SUNY Buffalo
Internship: Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center
Residency Program: Penn State Department of Anesthesiology
Fellowship Training: Pediatric Anesthesia – Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center
Clinical Interests: Pediatric anesthesia, congenital cardiac anesthesia, aerospace medicine, hyperbaric medicine
Research Interests: Measuring the effectiveness of Graduate Medical Education, X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling, protein receptor site function
Professional Interests: Graduate medical education, developing future leaders in medicine, role of “metacognition” in learning, professional performance evaluation
Hobbies: Aviation - Commercial Pilot – fixed wing, rotary wing, and glider aircraft. Clay Shooting Sports – Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Helice. Scouting – Adult leader for BSA. Amateur Radio – N2HXV

David McDonagh, M.D.

David McDonagh, M.D.

Vice-Chair for University Hospitals

Undergrad: University of Michigan Honors Program Medical School: Georgetown University
Residency Program:
Internship Internal Medicine- Georgetown University
Neurology- Duke University
Anesthesiology- Duke University
Fellowship Training: Neurocritical Care & Stroke, Duke University
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Neuroanesthesiology, neurocritical care, neurosonology, postoperative analgesia, critical care, ventilator weaning, postoperative neurologic outcomes
Hobbies: Business school, downhill skiing, kayaking

Residency Leadership

Aditee Ambardekar, M.D., MSEd

Aditee Ambardekar, M.D., MSEd

Residency Program Director

Undergrad: University of Maryland, College Park
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Residency Program: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Fellowship Training: Pediatric Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Pediatric anesthesiology, Pediatric and Adult Burn Anesthesia, Simulation-based education and research, Graduate Medical Education
Hobbies: Being a mommy to two very energetic boys, cooking, tennis, learning about wines

Lawrence Liang, M.D

Lawrence Liang, M.D

Associate Residency Program Director

Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Anesthesia for hepato-biliary surgery, neuroanesthesia, intraoperative blood salvage
Hobbies: Geriatric akitas, golf, connoisseur of fine fast food dining

Ejike Nicholas Okoro, M.D.

Ejike Nicholas Okoro, M.D.

Associate Residency Program Director

Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency Program: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Liver Transplantation anesthesiology, obstetric anesthesiology
Hobbies: Traveling, running

Alycia Wanat-Hawthorne, M.D.

Alycia Wanat-Hawthorne, M.D.

Associate Residency Program Director

Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia at UT Southwestern
Clinical/Research/Professional Interests: Transplant anesthesia, education
Hobbies: My two kids (Brady and Easton), my dog Mishka, running, Peloton’ing, soccer

Bailor Hardman, M.D.

Bailor Hardman, M.D.

Assistant Residency Program Director - Quality Improvement Director and Safety Officer

Hometown: Osborne, KS Undergrad: Kansas University
Medical School: Kansas University School of Medicine
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Golf, travel, travel for golf, moutain activities for summer and winter, Mavericks and Jayhawks basketball, Royals baseball, the Kansas City Chiefs NFL dynasty

Eric Siu, M.D.

Eric Siu, M.D.

Assistant Residency Program Director - Core Didactic Curriculum Director

Hometown: Syosset, NY Undergrad:New York University
Medical School: SUNY Upstate
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Motorsports, Shooting Sports, Hiking, Volleyball, Horticulture

Akil Farishta, M.D.

Akil Farishta, M.D.

Hometown: Hyderabad, India Undergrad: UT Arlington
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: Brigham & Women's Hopsital
Hobbies: Food, Travel, Music

Amy Woods, M.D.

Amy Woods, M.D.

Medical Student Rotation Director

Hometown: Jasper, TX Undergrad: Texas A&M University (WHOOP!)
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: I love crafting, solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles, watching ice hockey (Go Stars!). Cheering on my kids is my favorite hobby - my oldest son plays bass in a rock band; my middle son places ice hockey, and my daughter is a dancer and gymnast

Anupama Wadhwa, M.D.

Anupama Wadhwa, M.D.

Hometown: Mumbai, India Medical School: BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad Gujarat India
Residency Program: BYL Nair Hospital Mumbai
Fellowship Training: Clinical Research, University of Louisville
Hobbies: Yoga, Traveling, Meditation, Coaching

Ashley Yager, M.D.

Ashley Yager, M.D.

Hometown: Canfield, OH Undergrad: Youngstown State University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Residency Program: Rush University Medical Center
Fellowship Training: Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University Medical Center
Hobbies: travel, golf, dog park with my miniature schnauzer, college football (Go ND!)

Benjamin Heller, M.D.

Benjamin Heller, M.D.

Neuroanesthesia Rotation Director

Hometown: Tenafly, NJ Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School
Residency Program: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, sports (go Mets!), golf, cooking, baking

Brenda Anyaehie, M.D.

Brenda Anyaehie, M.D.

Obstetrics Anesthesiology Rotation Director

Hometown: Houston, TX Undergrad: University of Texas San Antonio
Medical School: University of Texas San Antonio
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Obstetric Anesthesiology, University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: African cuisine, traveling, spending time with my 3 boys

Bryan Romito, M.D.

Bryan Romito, M.D.

Critical Care Fellowship Director

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Undergrad: George Washington University
Medical School: George Washington School of Medicine
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Hobbies: Travel, music, movies, poker

Christopher Choi, M.D.

Christopher Choi, M.D.

Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum Co-Director

Hometown: Dallas, TX Undergrad: Rice University
Medical School: University of Chicago School of Medicine
Residency Program: Yale University
Fellowship Training: Critical Care Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Hobbies: Hiking, microbreweries, live jazz, Dallas Cowboys (unfortunately)

Dana Darwish, D.O.

Dana Darwish, D.O.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Undergrad: University of California Los Angeles
Medical School: Toro University College of Medicine
Residency Program: Cleveland Clinic College of Medicine
Fellowship Training: Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic College of Medicine

Devin Trousdale, M.D.

Devin Trousdale, M.D.

Hometown: Houston, TX Undergrad: Austin College
Medical School: University of Texas Galveston
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, University of Texas Southwestern

Gerald Matchett, M.D.

Gerald Matchett, M.D.

Hometown: College Station, TX Undergrad: University of Wisconsin
Medical School: New York University
Residency Program: Loma Linda University
Fellowship Training: Pain Management, Stanford University
Hobbies: Swimming, Sailing

Hooman Heravi, M.D.

Hooman Heravi, M.D.

Hometown: Tehran, Iran Undergrad: University of Texas Austin
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: Loma Linda University
Fellowship Training: Dual Cardiothoracic and Critical Care, University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Home remodeling, traveling, open source AI, spending time with my sons and wife

Irina Gasanova, M.D.

Irina Gasanova, M.D.

Medical Director - Perioperative Services, Chief Obstetrics Anesthesiology Services - Parkland Hospital

Hometown: Baku, Azerbaijan Undergrad: Azerbaijan Medical University
Medical School: Azerbaijan Medical University
Residency Program: SUNY Upstate
Hobbies: Travel, reading, theater

Jaffer Odeh, M.D.

Jaffer Odeh, M.D.

Hometown: Stockbridge, MI Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Michigan
Residency Program: Cleveland Clinic
Fellowship Training: Critical Care and Liver Transplant, University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, baking, cooking, photography, craft cocktails, and ordering way too many things from Amazon that I will never use

James Kim, M.D.

James Kim, M.D.

Pain Service Rotation Director University Hospitals, Acute and Regional Pain Fellowship Director

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Undergrad: Williams Colege
Medical School: Georgetown University
Residency Program: Georgetown University
Fellowship Training: Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, Duke University
Hobbies: Philadelphia pro sports, dogs, I would like to one day open a non-kill dog shelter

Jesse Stewart, M.D.

Jesse Stewart, M.D.

Hometown: Whitsett, TX Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Medical School: University of Texas Galveston
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: New Dallas restaurants, reading, hanging out with my dog Billie

John Alexander, M.D.

John Alexander, M.D.

Regional Rotation Director - Parkland Hospital

Hometown: San Antonio, TX Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Ultramarathons, craft cocktail creator/consumer, historical non-fiction books, sci-fi books

Kapil Anand, M.D.

Kapil Anand, M.D.

Hometown: Miami, FL Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: Foodie and Fitness

Lisa Gu, M.D.

Lisa Gu, M.D.

Regional Rotation Director - Clements University Hospital

Hometown: Austin, TX Undergrad: Princeton University
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency Program: University of Florida
Fellowship Training: Regional Anesthesia, University of Florida
Hobbies: Traveling

Melissa Bellomy, M.D.

Melissa Bellomy, M.D.

Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Rotation Director

Hometown: Arlington, TX Undergrad: Seton Hall University
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency Program: Vanderbilt University
Fellowship Training: Dual Cardiothoracic and Critical Care, Vanderbilt University
Hobbies: Family, Peloton, Wine, Dining, College Football, Volleyball, mindless spy novels

Omaira Azizad, M.D.

Omaira Azizad, M.D.

Medical Director Parkland Pre-Anesthesia Evaluation Clinic

Hometown: Saratoga, NY Undergrad: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Residency Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: cooking, baking, traveling, gardening

Raksha Bangalore, M.D.

Raksha Bangalore, M.D.

Hometown: Laurel, MD Undergrad: University of Maryland
Medical School: George Washington School of Medicine
Residency Program: Rutgers New Jeresy Medical School
Fellowship Training: Critical Care Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center
Hobbies: Exploring the Dallas food scene, cooking, painting, watching crime shows and Cocomelon while running behind my little boy!

Ravi Bhoja, M.D.

Ravi Bhoja, M.D.

Anesthesiology Resident Simulation Director

Hometown: Macon, GA Undergrad: Emory University
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Residency Program: Universtiy of Texas Southwestern
Hobbies: BBQ, eating in, eating out, strength training, tech, hiking, travel

Tally Goldfarb, M.D.

Tally Goldfarb, M.D.

Pediatric Anesthesiology Rotation Director

Undergrad: University of Texas in Austin
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Residency Program: UT Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Pediatric Anesthesia, UT Southwestern/Children's Medical Center Dallas
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband, 2 children and 3 legged mini schnauzer. Barre classes on YouTube, cooking and traveling

Kristina Goff, M.D.

Kristina Goff, M.D.

Co-Medical Director - Clements University Hospital Surgical ICU

Hometown: Dallas, TX Undergrad: Duke University
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern
Residency Program: Universtiy of Texas Southwestern
Fellowship Training: Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington
Hobbies: Art, photography, travel, horseback riding