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Meet the Residents

Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Saint Louis University. We are delighted by your interest in our residency program. We would like to highlight why completing the next phase of your training at SLU is a unique and fulfilling experience in the heart of a beautiful city.  

The breadth of clinical training offered at Saint Louis University is unmatched and prepares our residents for independent practice following graduation. As an active Level 1 trauma center, our residents quickly gain experience and expertise in advanced resuscitation and caring for high-acuity patients, both in the operating rooms and intensive care units. Our hardworking residents make learning from many of our distinguished faculty an enjoyable experience.

As a clinical base year intern, you will rotate through several months of medicine and surgical subspecialties. Of note, our intern year includes five months rotating within the anesthesiology department. This includes pre-anesthesia clinic, the anesthesiology critical care service, developing health care administration skills in our practice management course and our June OR boot-camp month which will fully prepare you for your transition into the OR. These months will allow you to form bonds not only with your anesthesiology colleagues, but also develop interdepartmental relationships with other surgical subspecialty residents. 

The majority of your clinical anesthesia years will be spent in the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital ORs. You will build a strong academic and procedural foundation through the early, broad exposure to many diverse cases. Our ever-evolving curriculum allows for flexibility to meet the needs of each resident as they develop throughout their clinical years. 

Our robust academic curriculum has many moving parts, including morning keywords, weekly didactic lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conference, hands on ultrasound workshops, oral board prep, and simulation lab sessions. Many of our residents travel to and present at national anesthesia conferences, as well as subspecialty conferences. Also of note, these academic endeavors are funded by the department. Our education curriculum will help you build an excellent knowledge foundation to effectively take advantage of the medically complex cases offered here at Saint Louis University. 

We are fortunate to have a new, state of the art hospital as our main clinical site. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital will serve as your home for the majority of residency. Other facilities for training are all within the St. Louis metro area including: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital (next door to Saint Louis University Hospital), SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, John Cochran VA Hospital and Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

Anesthesiology residency at Saint Louis University not only guarantees a strong clinical education, but also a tight knit departmental family that genuinely cares about your well-being. Monthly department-sponsored socials around the city embody our commitment to fostering a cohesive work community. Our campus is situated close to downtown St. Louis, the national award-winning Forest Park, and many of the unique neighborhoods in the St. Louis area. Whether you are interested in family fun, nightlife, food, music, or sports, St. Louis has exciting options for everyone.

Ultimately, our anesthesiology residency will give you a strong, balanced and supportive environment to gain superior clinical skill and knowledge that will lay the foundation for any career path you choose to pursue. 

We look forward to meeting you!

Jeron Madsen, D.O, and Mallory Rearden, D.O.
Chief residents

CB
Headshot of Nicholas Afshari

Nicholas Afshari, M.D.

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Medical school: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Blake Anderson

Blake Anderson, D.O.

Hometown: Rexburg, Idaho
Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Martin Bava

Martin Bava, D.O.

Hometown: Fox River Grove, Illinois
Medical school: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Rachel Domingos

Rachel Domingos, M.D.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine


Headshot of Austin Goff

Austin Goff, D.O.

Hometown: Syracuse, Utah
Medical school: A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine-Kirksville


Headshot of Andre Joseph, III

Andre Joseph, III, M.D.

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Medical school: Saint Louis University of Medicine


Headshot of Megan McCollum

Megan McCollum, M.D.

Hometown: Media, Illinois
Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine


Headshot of Briar Morrow

Briar Morrow, D.O.

Hometown: Paragould, Arizona
Medical school: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Sarah Oh

Sarah Oh, M.D.

Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine


Headshot of Megha Verma

Megha Verma, M.D.

Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


CA-1
Headshot of Marc Abi Karam

Marc Abi Karam, M.D.

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical school: University of St. Joseph


Headshot of Atef Haifa

Atef Haifa, D.O.

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Louisiana


Headshot of Joseph Hoyle

Joseph Hoyle, M.D.

Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Medical school: Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at T.C.U.


Headshot of Madelyn Hunsaker

Madelyn Hunsaker, M.D.

Hometown: Bridgeton, Missouri
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


Headshot of Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson, M.D.

Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine


Headshot of Camilla Kachar

Camilla Kachar, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri 
Medical school: University of Missouri, Kansas City


Headshot of Reid Poggemeier

Reid Poggemeier, D.O.

Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Medical school: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Evan Semball

Evan Sembell, M.D.

Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine


Headshot of Jaganjot Singh

Jaganjot Singh, D.O.

Hometown: Bellingham, Washington
Medical school: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Jordan Yokley

Jordan Yokley, D.O.

Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Medical school: A.T. Still Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine


CA-2
Headshot of Jessica Bennion

Jessica Bennion, D.O.

Hometown: Logan, Utah
Medical school: A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Medicine


Headshot of Elizabeth Caravana

Elizabeth Caravana, D.O.

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Alec Garcia

Alec Garcia, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri 
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


Headshot of Michael Lugo

Michael Lugo, M.D.

Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


Headshot of Nici McCrary

Amanda 'Nici' McCrary, M.D.

Hometown: Hallsville, Missouri
Medical school: University of Medicine and Health Sciences 


Headshot of Craig Mitchell

Craig Mitchell, D.O.

Hometown: Kissimmee, Florida
Medical school: Kansas City University


Headshot of Thomas Oh

Thomas Oh, M.D.

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Medical school: Long School of Medicine


Headshot of Daniel Ohlhausen, MD

Daniel Ohlhausen, M.D.

Hometown: Liberty, Missouri
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


Headshot of Kyle Polhemus

Kyle Polhemus, M.D.

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Medical school: St. George’s University of Medicine


Headshot of Jonathan Staheli

Jonathan Staheli, D.O.

Hometown: Parker, Colorado
Medical school: Kansas City University


CA-3
Headshot of Steven Blackshear

Steven Blackshear, D.O.

QI chief resident
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Bridget Devlin

Bridget Devlin, M.D.

Hometown: Fresno, California
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine


Headshot of Suhail Hiermandi

Suhail Hiermandi, D.O.

Hometown: Glendale, Arizona
Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University


Headshot of Caleb Kimm

Caleb Kimm, D.O.

Academic chief resident
Hometown: Keystone, Iowa
Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Daniel Kong

Daniel Kong, D.O.

Hometown: Orange County, California
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Jaron Madsen

Jaron Madsen, D.O.

Chief resident
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Medical school: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of John Merlo

John Merlo, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri 
Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine


Headshot of Nathan Parry

Nathan Parry, M.D.

Hometown: Waterford, Michigan
Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine


Headshot of Mallory Rearden

Mallory Rearden, D.O.

Chief resident
Hometown: Salem, Illinois
Medical school: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine


Headshot of Zach Rocca

Zachary Rocca, D.O.

Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Where They Went

2025 Graduates

Fellowships

  • Chronic pain anesthesia, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Critical care anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Regional Anesthesia, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri

Private Practice

  • Annapolis, Maryland
  • Grand Junction, Colorado
  • Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Topeka, Kansas
  • Cape Girardeau, Missouri
  • Washington, Missouri

Military

  • Air Force, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

2024 Graduates

Fellowships

  • Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Cardiothoracic anesthesia, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  • Chronic pain, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 

Academic

  • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis (four graduates)

Private Practice

  • Vacaville, California
  • Hudson, Florida
  • Indianapolis