AVAA Leadership

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.

Andrew Forgay, MD

President Elect

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

Elvera Baron, MD

Secretary

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.

Syed Adil Ahmed, 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.

Craig Cummings

Treasurer

Karthik Ragunathan, MD

Southern District Representative

Matthew Kellems, MD

Central District Representative

Darian Rice, MD

Northeast District Representative

Open

Western District Representative

Past Presidents

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 submit your nomination here.