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AVAA Leadership

The Association of Veterans Affairs Anesthesiologists (AVAA) is an independent organization of VA anesthesiologists founded in 1991 by anesthesiologists interested in ensuring the highest level of anesthesia care possible through advocacy on the national level.

2024- Present Board

Jessica Shanahan, MD

Jessica Shanahan, MD

Past President 2022-2024 My mission is to protect team-based anesthesia and promote our specialty as authoritative in the arena of patient safety as it relates to the opioid epidemic

Brooke Trainer, MD

Brooke Trainer, MD

Past President 2020-2022 Dr Trainer is an Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA. She splits her time as an Intensivist, Acute Pain Physician, and Anesthesiologist at the CVVAHCS in Richmond VA. She also serves as National Faculty and curriculum developer for VHA National SimLEARN.

Houman Amirfarzan, MD

Houman Amirfarzan, MD

President My mission is to engage our diverse group of talented anesthesiologists to be more involved in our society so we can have a larger impact politically and solidify our stance at the time of important decisions affecting our specialty and career.

Rafael Richards, MD

Rafael Richards, MD

Vice-President My mission is to support anesthesiology quality, safety, and advocacy efforts at the national level. I’d like to help integrate VA anesthesia information protocols into a single national standard, advocate for MD led patient care teams, and assure patient safety under COVID19 via advocacy, education, and equipment.

Elvera Baron, MD

Elvera Baron, MD

Secretary

CDR Joshua D. Quick, MC, USNR

CDR Joshua D. Quick, MC, USNR

Treasurer

Karthik Ragunathan, MD

Karthik Ragunathan, MD

Souther District Representative

Matthew Kellems, MD

Matthew Kellems, MD

Central District Representative

Darian Rice, MD

Darian Rice, MD

Northeast District Representative

OPEN

OPEN

Western District Representative

Board Nominations

The Association of VA Anesthesiologists is soliciting nominations to fill officer/board member positions within the organization. Please submit your name or names of members you feel would be willing to lead and be an active supporter of AVAA.

 

Any AVAA Member may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Nominees should meet the following criteria:

 

a) Willingness and ability to actively participate in the management of the business and activities of AVAA;

 

b) Motivation for and history of participation in AVAA;

 

c) Scientific, technical, management and leadership qualifications to serve on the Board; and

 

d) Agreement to abide by AVAA By-laws.

 

To learn more about open positions, please click on the button to apply.

Past Presidents

2020 - 2022
2018 - 2020 
2016 - 2018
2014 - 2016
2012 - 2014
2010 - 2012
2008 - 2010
 
Brooke Trainer, MD
Relin Yang, MD
Kay Leissner, MD
Ann Walia, MD
Malcolm Klein, MD
Nader Nader, MD
Susan Calhoun, MD

Let’s Start Working Together!

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