Michael Scott, Pioneer in Surgical Recovery, Assumes Leadership Role in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Michael James Scott, MB, ChB, FRCA, an esteemed anesthesiologist and quality improvement leader, has been appointed as the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). The announcement was made recently, pending approval from the Office of the Provost and the University of Rochester Board of Trustees.
With a rich background in medicine and surgery, as well as a fellowship in anesthesiology, Dr. Scott brings extensive expertise to his new role. He will assume the position on October 1, 2024, taking over from Michael Eaton, MD, who has served as chair of the department since 2011.
Dr. Scott is renowned for his work in quality improvement, particularly in the field of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS). His contributions to ERAS include leadership roles such as moderating the "Brain ERAS: Guidelines and Implementation" panel at the 2024 American Society of Anesthesiologists Conference. In this role, he emphasized the importance of integrating brain health into standardized perioperative procedures, signaling his commitment to advancing ERAS protocols beyond traditional aspects.
His efforts have helped push forward the adoption and implementation of ERAS principles, which aim to reduce surgical stress, expedite recovery, and improve outcomes through multidisciplinary approaches in perioperative medicine.
In addition to his ERAS work, Dr. Scott's research focus is on surgical outcomes research. He has led studies in analgesia, hemodynamic monitoring, fluid therapy, and the stress response for surgery. His published work connects rapid recovery after surgery with improved outcomes, reduced complications, and costs.
The Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at URMC is a hub of research excellence, with areas of focus including mitochondrial disease, neurodegenerative disease, ischemia-reperfusion, the treatment and prevention of chronic pain, coagulation, quality measurement, the impact of report cards on quality of care, and respiratory physiology.
As the Denham S. Ward, MD, PhD, Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Dr. Scott will lead a department composed of over 200 faculty members, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners. His current focus is on the long-term effects of acute kidney injury.
The department is part of the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION), a public-private partnership with the US Food and Drug Administration. The department's Center for Perioperative Medicine (CPM) manages preoperative comorbidities to improve outcomes for patients who undergo surgical procedures with anesthesia.
The department is organized into 15 clinical divisions, and its periprocedural care, pain medicine, and critical care are integral to UR Medicine's multispecialty, tertiary, and quaternary care.
Dr. Scott's appointment marks a significant milestone for URMC and the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. As a past president of ERAS USA and with a history of serving on the faculty at prestigious institutions such as the University of Surrey, University College London, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Scott brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.
References: [1] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2024). Michael James Scott, MB, ChB, FRCA, Appointed as Chair of Anesthesiology at URMC. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/4161/michael-james-scott-mb-chb-frca-appointed-as-chair-of-anesthesiology-at-urmcs-department-of-anesthesiology-and-perioperative-medicine.aspx
In his new role as the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Dr. Scott will leverage his expertise in the field of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) and expand on his research focus in surgical outcomes. His appointment underlines the commitment of URMC to prioritize health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, particularly in the medical-conditions domain, as they aim to improve patient outcomes and advance the science of perioperative medicine.
