Physician Profile

Each month, the home page of the Resident’s Corner will feature a physician who is making great strides in his or her field both as an example and as a resource for residents If there is a physician that you would like to see on this web page, please feel free to send us a line at residents@anesthesiaweb.com.

FAER Chestnuts: Words from the Wise
By Giuditta Angelini, M.D.

In my usual fashion, I am always late. This time, it is the morning of the resident FAER breakfast during last year’s ASA meeting in San Francisco. I run in and scoot into the first seat that catches my eye. I slink down and try not to cause too much of a disruption, but my reactive airway disease is getting the best of me. A little drop of sweat beads down onto the introductory materials that I picked up while buzzing past the door. After a few minutes of silent goals to correct all my faults, I finally settle down to listen to the speakers. The line of people at the podium began with Ronald MacKenzie (then ASA president), followed by Dr. Roizen of the University of Chicago. And then, suddenly, a tall, slender man gets up from the table at which I am sitting–Dr. Chestnut.

I have a terrifying flashback of screaming attendings (slight hint of artistic license) on my first day in Obstetrical Anesthesiology which culminates in a collective suggestion that I must read the gold standard textbook in OB Anesthesiology. It’s true. I presented myself as the disheveled, unorganized resident in front of a living legend. My vasodilatory erythema is no longer due to excessive aerobic activity.

I tune back in to Dr. Chestnut presenting himself with humble gratitude as a FAER grant recipient in the past which sparked his interest in research and helped him to evolve into the academic physician that he is today. I am impressed with his gracious countenance and insightful reflection. I am newly inspired until I realize that he is now returning to sit two chairs away from me. More vasodilatory erythema.

It turns out that previous FAER recipients who have gone on to become leaders in their field are present at every table. After the speeches are completed, we are allowed an opportunity to converse personally with each of them. After I regain my composure, Dr. Chestnut talks frankly about his previous experiences including his late appearances as well. Now, I am doubly impressed. The morning turned out to be a very pleasant experience which, in recollection, stimulated the idea to write this piece.

Dr. Chestnut first became interested in anesthesiology during his surgery internship at the Mayo Clinic. It was at that time that he encountered Dr. John Tinker. It was through discussions with Dr. Tinker that he became fascinated by anesthesiology, motivated to do research, and spurred into not only editing his own book on OB Anesthesiology but also to become a department chair at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

After completion of his anesthesiology residency, Dr. Chestnut went on to finish a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology–both at Duke University. During this part of his training, he encountered Dr. Merel Harmel who he considers to be one of the finest gentlemen that he has ever known. Subsequently, he joined the faculty at the University of Iowa where he practised in both fields for three years. It was during that time that he met Dr. Frank Zlatnik and Dr. Carl Weiner who taught him that the key to meaningful research is knowing how to ask the right questions. His own laboratory research has focused on the maternal and fetal compensatory responses to various stresses as well as the interactions between tocolytic therapy, maternal and fetal hemorrhage, and regional anesthesia. His clinical research involves the effect of epidural analgesia on the progress of labor and the method of delivery. Finally, Dr. Chestnut has been an associate editor and then an editor of the journal Anesthesiology for 12 years under the direction of Dr. Saidman and Dr. Todd.

If he had the opportunity, Dr. Chestnut would definitely choose the specialty of anesthesiology again. He enjoys the variety of clinical and professional opportunities that are available. He also enjoys the dynamic and personal aspects of patient care. He believes that the patient interaction can be as much as each individual physician desires as well as being more meaningful than other medical specialties experience.

For future anesthesiologists, Dr. Chestnut offers the observation that surgeons often receive more public acclaim for their contribution than our own specialty. However, anesthesiologists are often more happy and content when they appreciate the importance of what they do and gain satisfaction for a job well done rather than seeking that validation from external sources. It would seem that Dr. Chestnut has been inspired by a number of physicians. While I have had minimal exposure, I have been inspired by Dr. Chestnut. Mainly, I am inspired to be on time.