{"id":127147,"date":"2025-10-27T12:51:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T17:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=127147"},"modified":"2025-12-02T10:47:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T16:47:13","slug":"anesthesiologys-celebration-of-academics-highlights-excellence-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/10\/27\/anesthesiologys-celebration-of-academics-highlights-excellence-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"Anesthesiology\u2019s Celebration of Academics highlights excellence, innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The UNMC Department of Anesthesiology highlighted academic excellence and innovation in research and education during its annual Celebration of Academics on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Wigton Heritage Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formerly known as the Celebration of Research, the newly renamed event brought together faculty, trainees and collaborators to showcase research, exchange ideas and recognize scholarly achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis year was the most successful yet,\u201d said Hanjun Wang, MD, the department\u2019s vice chair of research. \u201cExpanding to a broader focus to include education reflects our shared vision of stronger collaboration among our basic science, education and clinical teams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Pellegrino, MD, PhD, director of the Anesthesiology Clinical & Translational Research Program, echoed that sentiment, noting the scope of participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had unprecedented involvement from undergraduate and medical students, residents, graduate students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, physicians and research faculty,\u201d Dr. Pellegrino said. \u201cThat level of engagement underscores the momentum and depth of our academic mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Wang and Andrew Patterson, MD, PhD, department chair, followed by an hourlong poster session with hors d\u2019oeuvres<\/em> and refreshments. Attendees engaged with investigators and explored a range of research topics in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Pellegrino highlighted several programmatic milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe saw incredible scientific presentations across the board,\u201d he said. \u201cWe also showcased upcoming multicenter clinical trials, MINDDS2, FEEDS and IntraOp Ox, which will help shape future collaborations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Lieberman Lecturer was David Paterson, DPhil, DSc, professor and head of physiology, anatomy and genetics at the University of Oxford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were thrilled to see a record number of poster presentations and to welcome Dr. David Paterson as our Lieberman keynote speaker,\u201d Dr. Wang said. \u201cHis visit and inspiring lecture made a tremendous impact on our campus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Paterson, who also presented at grand rounds, delivered the keynote titled \u201cThinking heart: cardiac neurobiology of arrhythmia.\u201d He explored the brain\u2013heart connection and how innovative bioelectronic therapies are shaping the future of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Pellegrino called it \u201ca highlight of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Paterson\u2019s perspective as a visionary with an international footprint and transdisciplinary impact in basic and translational research elevated the conversation,\u201d he said. “This year’s Lieberman lecture was both an inspiration and a blueprint for the research program that we are working to build in the department of anesthesiology.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening concluded with the department\u2019s awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions in research, education and scholarly activity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n