Clinics in Medical Education

NEWS and UPDATES

Combined Education and Quality & Safety Grand Rounds Faculty Workshop

Held on June 18, 2025

On June 18th, 2025, our department hosted the Combined Education and Quality & Safety (Q&S) Grand Rounds Faculty Workshop, a dynamic and interactive event designed to promote patient safety, and enhance quality improvement practices across the department.

The workshop featured five focused simulation and discussion stations, each addressing a critical topic identified through real clinical events, M&M reviews, and departmental Q&S concerns. Participants rotated through the stations in small groups, engaging in practical, case-based learning and reviewing relevant evidence and protocols to support safer, high-quality care.

Workshop Stations Included:

  1. Processed EEG (pEEG) Monitoring
    Emphasis on cognitive aids, monitoring standards, and interpretation of raw vs. processed EEG.

  2. Train-of-Four (TOF) and Neuromuscular Blockade Management
    Explored best practices for TOF monitoring and reversal strategies including Sugammadex use.

  3. Blood Product Administration in the OR
    Focused on safety protocols, reducing human error, and minimizing blood product wastage.

  4. PACU Pause and Standardized Handoffs
    Highlighted tools like iPASS, communication strategies, and a demonstration of the PACU handoff tool.

  5. Anesthesia Considerations for Patients with Impella Devices
    Reviewed anesthesia management, device understanding, and critical intraoperative considerations.

Participants were encouraged to complete pre-workshop readings and multimedia resources to enhance their learning experience and promote active discussion during the sessions.

Echo Lab Fellows’ Presentation to Northwestern’s Chief of Cardiac Surgery

Echo Lab research fellows Drs. Shirin Saeed, Adil Manji, and Usman Ahmed presented the lab’s ongoing projects and research focus areas at Surgery Grand Rounds on June 11th, 2025 during the visit of Dr. Douglas R. Johnston, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern University. Their presentation highlighted a diverse portfolio of investigations, including basic science projects exploring purinergic signaling in females undergoing cardiac surgery, altered mitochondrial metabolism in postmenopausal women, and distinct miRNA signatures associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. They also showcased advancements in 3D printing for mitral valve modeling. In outcomes research, the team is analyzing sex-based differences, process improvement initiatives, and leveraging large datasets such as STS, NSQIP, VQI, and NRD. Echocardiographic research featured the transition from qualitative to quantitative assessment using 3-dimensional imaging. In the educational domain, they discussed innovations in ultrasound education, including kinematic metric tools for psychomotor skill acquisition, virtual reality platforms, and a dedicated website offering educational materials, quizzes, case discussions, lecture videos, CME courses, and a medical journal.

Congratulations to Dr. Jacqueline Hannan on Receiving a Prestigious T32 Grant

We are thrilled to congratulate our Research Scientist, Dr. Jacqueline Hannan, on being awarded a T32 grant for her project titled “Objective Evaluation of Automaticity in Ultrasound-Guided Procedures: From Simulation to Clinical Translation.”
This work will be conducted under the primary mentorship of Dr. Robina Matyal, with additional support from Dr. Feroze Mahmood, Dr. John Mitchell, and Dr. Cullen Jackson. Dr. Hannan’s project represents a step forward in advancing procedural training and assessment, and we are proud to see her dedication and excellence recognized.
Congratulations, Dr. Hannan!

Community Simulation at BIDMC - Milton

On May 29, 2025, the BIDMC Simulation Team comprising of Nadav Levy, Lior Levy, and Dario Winterton conducted a community simulation session at the BIDMC Milton campus for the Anesthesia Department. Organized with the support of Dr. Victoria M. Derevianko, Chief of Anesthesia at Beth Israel Deaconess Milton, the session focused on the management of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST). Fourteen physicians and CRNAs participated in the hands-on training, contributing to a successful and engaging educational experience aimed at enhancing clinical readiness and patient safety.

Simulation-Based Workshop for PACU Nurse Practitioners

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the CERTAIN team from the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine hosted a hands-on workshop for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) working in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The session focused on enhancing the clinical management of postoperative patients and was led by the department’s simulation education team.
Dr. Nadav Levy, Director of the Simulation Program, designed and facilitated the training. Using realistic clinical scenarios, the workshop gave NPs the opportunity to practice critical decision-making, recognize and respond to complications, and strengthen communication and teamwork in the PACU setting. The interactive session was well-received by participants, who appreciated the emphasis on practical, scenario-based learning to reinforce protocols and improve patient outcomes.

Grand Rounds

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the CERTAIN department organized a hands-on Grand Rounds session in the PACU focused on the evaluation and management of hemodynamically unstable patients, with an emphasis on the use of ultrasound. The workshop was designed for anesthesia faculty and CRNAs and included a comprehensive pre-workshop review with interactive ultrasound cases. During the session, participants engaged in practical learning with three live models, two transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) simulators, and two transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) simulators, allowing for immersive training in bedside assessment and decision-making.

LVAD Education Day at Abbott Facility in Burlington

On May 21, 2025, LVAD Education Day was held at the Abbott facility in Burlington, organized by Dr. Maurizio Bottiroli. The full-day session was attended by 13 BIDMC fellows from the cardiac, vascular, and ICU programs, along with perfusionists. The program featured a comprehensive overview of various LVAD models, a guided tour of the Abbott manufacturing plant, and interactive clinical case presentations by Dr. Bottiroli and Dr. Mark Robitaille. Attendees also heard from Abbott engineers on pump parameters and engaged in a hands-on session using pig hearts to practice LVAD placement. The day provided an invaluable opportunity for advanced training in mechanical circulatory support.

Mindray Course on Simulation at CMS Charlestown

From May 12–15, 2025, the BIDMC Simulation Team comprising of Nadav Levy, Lior Levy, Dario Winterton, Federico Puerta Martinez, and Ryan Ricciardelli partnered with Mindray to conduct a comprehensive simulation training course at the Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) in Charlestown. The four-day program was tailored for visiting physicians from Panama and focused on equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to implement simulation-based training in their own institutions using available resources. The course covered key areas including scenario design, debriefing techniques, simulation modalities, adult learning theories, and patient safety. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions emphasizing practical implementation, resource utilization, and rapid-cycle deliberate practice (RCDP).

At the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) 47th Annual Meeting and Workshops, held in Montreal, Canada, from April 26–29, 2025, several important abstracts were presented, reflecting advancements in perioperative cardiovascular care and education. The following abstracts were showcased:
  1. Sex-Based Differences in Diastolic Heart Failure Readmissions and Mortality Trends: Insights from the National Readmissions Database
  2. Distinct microRNA Signatures in Patients Developing Acute Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: New Insights
  3. PGC1α is Dysregulated in Females Undergoing CABG with CPB and May Be Improved via Nicotinamide Administration in a Mouse Model
  4. Bridging Gaps in Perioperative Care in India: A Distance Education Curriculum for Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training

IARS 2025 Meeting

At the 2025 IARS/SOCCA Annual Meeting, Drs. Shiri Savir, Sara Neves, and Robina Matyal showcased how virtual and augmented reality are reshaping procedural training in anesthesiology.
 
Dr. Savir moderated a session on VR’s role in invasive procedural education, emphasizing its safety, scalability, and realism. Dr. Matyal advocated for simulation-based curricula that integrate motion metrics to assess skills and reduce trainer burden. Dr. Neves shared promising early results from BIDMC’s VR-based residency training, with interns reporting high realism and improved confidence. The BIDMC team also addressed advancements in POCUS training and the need to shift from certification to true proficiency.

SEA 2025 Meeting

“One size does not fit all – tailoring simulation in medical education” In-Situ Simulation Workshop at SEA At the recent Society for Education in Anesthesia (SEA) meeting, an in-situ simulation workshop was led by Drs. Nadav Levy, Dario Winterton, Federico Puerta, Matt Gao, and Huma Syed Hussain. The workshop demonstrated how impactful, high-quality simulation training can be conducted using available materials. Participants explored strategies to adapt simulation-based education to their own environments making training more accessible and scalable.
 
Dr. Hussain also presented an innovative lab idea titled Recognition, Evaluation, Resuscitation (RER). This concept is designed for implementation in Pakistan and Liberia and focuses on building core clinical competencies in rapid patient assessment, resuscitation, and team management. Through interactive case-based scenarios and structured review content, RER aims to equip healthcare workers with the tools to conduct efficient primary surveys and apply early interventions to stabilize critically ill patients.
 
Two posters were also presented: “Enhancing Anesthesiology Resident Competence Through High-Frequency In-Situ Simulation: Impact on Clinical Knowledge, Confidence, and Crisis Management Skills” and “Rescue Ultrasound Curriculum for Anesthesiology Residents”.

Alumni Achievement

 Congratulations to Dr. Mario Montealegre Gallegos on his appointment to Assistant Program Director of the Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship Program at Yale!

CME-Accredited Courses

We are pleased to announce that two CME-accredited courses, a lecture and a podcast, were conducted this month by Drs. Dario Winterton, Aidan Sharkey, and Sarah Neves as part of the Education Scholarly Program. These courses, designed to advance knowledge in anesthesia, are now available for CME credits through the anesthesia education portal.

Exciting News!

Our journal will be shared with esteemed faculty at Boston’s top medical institutions, including MGH and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This marks a significant step in expanding our reach and fostering collaboration with leading professionals in cardiac anesthesia and beyond.