Dr. Chris Darling, DO
Medical School: AT Still University: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergrad: Binghamton University
Why Anesthesiology: I chose anesthesia because it was different than anything else. It was hands on, fast paced, and required quick decision making. It is an ever changing environment that requires interactions with and understanding of many different healthcare disciplines. I enjoy that everyday is still a challenge, and there is no other specialty that I found this with.
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: My initial draw to teaching in Anesthesiology was to inspire and make a difference in the lives of residents who are going through what will be one of the most stressful times in their lives. I have also found new interests in education innovation, and for the past two years have focused on incorporating technology into education curriculums.
What were you most proud of in medical school? Graduating! I think that will be everyone’s answer, but I was also proud of the day I found out I matched into Anesthesiology close to my family in Upstate New York.
What do you do for fun? I have a 5yo son and a 1yo daughter, so most of my free time is pent with my family. We like going to parks, hiking, boating, really anything outdoors.
Dr. Karin Zuegge, MD
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why Anesthesiology: I initially thought I’d go into family practice or pediatrics, and I always had strong desire to be useful in some way. When I finally rotated in anesthesiology I realized how extremely practical the specialty is. There is nothing more fundamental than hemodynamics, respiration and consciousness. Relationships are also really important to me. I used to think there is little patient interaction in anesthesiology, but it turns out to be a crucial element of our practice. One of the best parts is the one-on-one time we get to spend with our patients. Finally, it is ultimately satisfying to work in an OR with an excellent teamwork groove.
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: Teaching keeps me up to date in the specialty. I would love for everyone to learn about the seemingly mysterious (but in reality so real-world and necessary) field of anesthesiology. I have an unending fascination with what we are able to do in anesthesiology. Having learners around all the time challenges you and keeps your perspective fresh.
What were you most proud of in medical school? The relationships I was able to have with both my colleagues and with interdisciplinary groups in our school was most meaningful to me. I am proud to have been invited to a lot of nursing potlucks and cookouts on my clinical rotations. When the team gets along like that it is a beautiful experience.
What do you do for fun? I make mosaic art out of recycled items from the OR (some of it is hanging in the hospital) both for the fun of the creative process as well as to make use of objects we’d otherwise throw away. I love being active outdoors in all weather. I also play volleyball on a rec league all year long.
Dr. Kristin Bevil, MD
Medical School: University of Notre Dame
Undergrad: Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine
Why Anesthesiology: I chose anesthesiology because I loved the rapid feedback of taking care of a patient in the most unique way, continuously manipulating physiology to enable procedures while assessing, diagnosing, treating, and re-assessing with a focus always on the patient’s well-being.
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: I enjoy teaching because it provides a way to “pay it forward” for all the teachers from whom I have learned as well as a way to force myself to stay up-to-date on current evidence-based practices.
What were you most proud of in medical school? In medical school, I am most proud of getting through! I have no family who are in medically-related fields and each stage of the game was a new experience. From classroom studies to clinical rotations to getting involved in research projects, I found excellent mentors and expanded my knowledge of medicine and healthcare.
What do you do for fun? In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young children, reading, bike riding, going for walks, and baking.
Dr. James Gentry, MD
Medical School: The University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Phoenix
Undergrad: Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR
Why Anesthesiology:I love anesthesiology because I enjoy the patient relationships, the team approach to patient care, the physiology, the pharmacology, the expertise in a subspecialty! What’s not to love?!
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: There’s no greater way to help the maximum amount of people possible than to share what I have learned with others. Moreover, I would not have become an anesthesiologist without the help of others. By teaching I feel like I’m able to potentially help others the way I was helped along the way.
What were you most proud of in medical school? My proudest moment in medical school was probably simply gaining acceptance. That said, I was honored upon graduation to receive the award for “Outstanding Medical Student” in the medicine department.
What do you do for fun? My family is everything to me outside my profession. I absolutely adore coaching my 10 year old daughter’s softball team – and occasionally my 10 year old boy’s baseball team too! If I’m not doing that I enjoy time with my beautiful wife, home improvement projects, fishing, dinners out, backyard barbeques with friends, and perhaps a little bourbon.
Dr. Jared Hylton, MD
Medical School: University of California – Davis
Undergrad: a. Undergrad: University of California – Davis
Why Anesthesiology: I was drawn to the complexity and flexibility of the specialty. The practice of anesthesiology requires in-depth knowledge of internal medicine, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology, but is also very much a procedural based specialty. This unique knowledge base and skill set leads to a very dynamic and interesting specialty. Anesthesiology is also a very flexible specialty in that anesthesiologists care for patients in a wide variety of settings including large inpatient hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, office-based medical practices, chronic pain clinics, and a wide spectrum of other settings. As an anesthesiologist, you can tailor your practice to fit your career and lifestyle goals. Anesthesiologists also get to work with other physicians and medical professionals from across the spectrum of surgical and medical specialties
which adds to the dynamic nature of the specialty.
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: As physicians, our training inherently makes us leaders in research, patient care, and education. I feel that it is our responsibility to guide and mentor the next generation of medical professionals. I enjoy the interactions I have with medical students, nursing students, and residents. The learning is reciprocal as I often learn a lot from my residents and students when they ask questions that force me to think about clinical scenarios from a different angle.
What were you most proud of in medical school? As a medical student I was medical director of a free clinic in Sacramento, California. It was very fulfilling to help provide outpatient primary care services to those that otherwise would not have had any other avenues to address their healthcare needs.
What do you do for fun? I enjoy hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, and generally exploring the outdoors with my family. We try to travel as much as we can. I am also an avid home brewer and enjoy the art and science behind brewing your own beer and kombucha.
Dr. Lisa Klesius, MD
Medical School: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Why Anesthesiology: I really enjoy seeing someone master a new concept, technique or procedure that I have just taught them. The excitement is contagious!
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: My initial draw to teaching in Anesthesiology was to inspire and make a difference in the lives of residents who are going through what will be one of the most stressful times in their lives. I have also found new interests in education innovation, and for the past two years have focused on incorporating technology into education curriculums.
What were you most proud of in medical school? Graduating! 😉
What do you do for fun? Bicycling, motorcycling, gardening, birdwatching…I love being outdoors!
Dr. Timothy McCormick, DO
Medical School: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergrad: Azusa Pacific University
Why Anesthesiology: I was drawn to anesthesiology for a couple of reasons. First, I enjoyed the unique patient and family interactions that occurred prior to and following surgery. It is a special relationship that has to have trust formed very quickly but ends up being very meaningful to both the patients and their families. Second I enjoy focusing on single or very limited number of patients at any one time. It really makes me feel like I am providing the best possible care without being distracted. Lastly, I enjoy the procedural aspect of anesthesia because no matter how many times I do a procedure there are times when I am still challenged by them.
Why Do You Enjoy Teaching: I enjoy teaching because it allows me to see the change in our students and residents over the course of their training. To me, teaching a resident the basics when they begin their residency to when they graduate and see them as my colleague is the best part of my job.
What were you most proud of in medical school? My most proud moment of medical school was a medical mission trip to Mexico. It was very meaningful being able to use what I had learned over 3 years and put it into practice.
What do you do for fun? I enjoy spending time with my family doing things outdoors like biking, hiking, and skiing. Our favorite place to vacation is Door County, Wisconsin and we spend as much time as possible there throughout the year.