Officers

President: Natalie Bruno, M.D., Santa Fe, New Mexico

Dr. Natalie K. Bruno is a board-certified anesthesiologist practicing in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She earned her undergraduate degree from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, where she completed the college’s rigorous Great Books curriculum with concentrated study in the history of mathematics and science, philosophy, classical studies, and comparative literature. She received her medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, completed residency training in Anesthesiology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine affiliate in Boston, and subsequently completed a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bruno has participated in clinical research with a particular focus on cardiac anesthesia and perioperative medicine. She currently serves as President of the New Mexico Society of Anesthesiologists and is passionate about physician advocacy, patient safety, and advancing high-quality anesthetic care throughout New Mexico.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Bruno enjoys skiing, travel, and spending time with family while maintaining strong ties to her Italian heritage.

President-Elect: Emily McQuaid-Hanson, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. McQuaid-Hanson got her medical degree from the University of Rochester in 2011, completed a residency in anesthesiology at University of Colorado (2015), and a fellowship in obstetric anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital (2016). Prior to joining the faculty at University of New Mexico, she spent four years as the director of obstetric anesthesia at a large tertiary care hospital in Spokane, WA.

Secretary-Treasurer: Sally Vender, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Vender is a congenital cardiac anesthesiologist at Presbyterian hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed her anesthesiology residency and pediatric anesthesia fellowship there, too. After graduating, she was privileged to serve as an attending physician where she loved working with residents and fellows. She was afforded the opportunity to obtain advanced clinical training in congenital cardiac anesthesia at Stanford.

When not sending kids to outer space with flavored astronaut masks, she enjoys spending time with her own kiddos (and sometimes wishes she could anesthetize them) and attempting to ride mountain bikes with her husband. She is grateful to able to practice medicine in New Mexico.

Immediate Past President: Michal Gajewski, D.O., Santa Fe, New Mexico

Michal Gajewski, DO, completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Art in Art History Criticism from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. He then achieved a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine followed by Residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, NY. Lastly, Dr. Gajewski completed a Fellowship in Critical Care at Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.

Dr. Gajewski is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, as well as the National Board of Echocardiography. He is also an active member of the Patient Safety Advocates of New Mexico. He practices in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he works as an anesthesiologist and an intensivist. Dr. Gajewski has published many peer reviewed publications and has completed clinical research. He is fluent in Polish and is knowledgeable in Spanish. When he is not working he enjoys spending as much time as possible travelling, learning about other cultures, and being surrounded by nature. 

ASA District Director New Mexico: Ruth Burstrom, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Burstrom graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin, completed her anesthesiology residency at Hartford Hospital followed by a two year geriatric anesthesia fellowship at the University of Washington.  Moving to work at the Albuquerque VA hospital in 1995 where she practiced until transferring to work at UNMH.  She has been on multiple local & departmental medical committees as well as serving on the ASA’s Geriatric Committee, Geriatric Track Education sub-committee, Credentialing Committee as well as Reference Committees.  She has also been a long serving delegate and Alternate Director from New Mexico, as well as being New Mexico’s ASA PAC representative. She remains active with lectures to residents including trauma, geriatrics and GU surgeries.  When she’s not keeping up with ASA and political issues you might find her out gardening or birding.

ASA Alternate Director: Jared Fuller, D.O., Farmington, New Mexico

ASA Delegate: Pramod Pannikkath, M.D., MHA, Albuquerque, New Mexico

ASA Delegate: Sam Aikele, M.D., Farmington, New Mexico

Dr. Samuel Aikele is a staff anesthesiologist at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico. Board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, he has nearly two decades of experience in both civilian and military medical settings.

Before joining San Juan Regional, Dr. Aikele served as a staff anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Anesthesia at Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base, and later at the Veterans Affairs Hospital of Southern Nevada. His leadership roles have included chairing the Operative and Invasive Procedure Committee and serving on multiple hospital quality and safety committees.

Dr. Aikele earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed his anesthesiology residency at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the New Mexico Society of Anesthesiologists.

Alternate Delegate: Austin Oetken, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Oetken received a B.S. degree (2009) from Baylor University. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree (2013) from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Following his MD degree he completed a 2-year anesthesiology residency at the Brooke Army Medical Center, as well as a 2-year anesthesiology residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Alternate Delegate: Ollin Venegas, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ollin Venegas was born and raised in Las Cruces, NM. He has his bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a concentration in Medical Anthropology and Global Health from the University of Pennsylvania. Venegas earned his medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Afterwards, he completed his residency in Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the University of New Mexico. Venegas is fluent in English and Spanish. He is passionate about improving access to healthcare in New Mexico. In his spare time, Venegas runs ultramarathons, is learning Russian, and spends time with his wife and two children. 

Resident Representative: Andrew Humphries, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Medical School Representative: Andrew Peace, NR-P, FP-C, Las Cruces, New Mexico