Anesthesiology Leadership
Department of Anesthesiology Leadership Team and Faculty
Our faculty is comprised of physicians, advanced practice providers, and academic researchers who have completed advanced training and are specialists in the field of anesthesiology.
Christopher Lace MD, MBA
Interim Chair
Associate Professor Christopher Lace, MD, MBA joined the CU Anschutz Department of Anesthesiology in 2009. He earned his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine and completed his anesthesiology residency at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Lace exemplifies leadership in clinical strategy, community engagement, and quality. His tenure as Vice Chair of Adult Clinical Practice and Medical Director at Cherry Creek North Ambulatory Surgical Center, as well as his roles at Inverness ASC and Highlands Ranch Hospital, highlight his commitment to teamwork, efficiency, and fostering a culture of safety while providing an outstanding patient experience.
Thomas A. Majcher, DO, MHA, FAOCA
Division Chief and Vice Chair, Pediatric Anesthesiology
PARDI-in-Chief
Dr. Tom Majcher (pronounced “Major”) is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology and Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Anesthesiology at the School of Medicine. Dr. Majcher has been practicing at Children’s Hospital Colorado for over 20 years having joined after 13 years of practice at Riley Children’s Hospital and the University of Indiana. He is a fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Anesthesiologists, completed his master’s in health administration at the University of Southern California, and was a former US Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeon.
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Dr. Majcher’s professional passions are pediatric anesthesia, pediatric pain management, mentorship of trainees and faculty as well as medical education. Dr. Majcher has been married for 40 years and he and his wife, Linda, are proud parents of 6 children who have blessed them with 11 grandchildren. He and Linda are now empty nesters who enjoy spending time with family and hiking the Colorado mountains with their two Portuguese Water dogs.
Claudia F. Clavijo, MD
Vice Chair of Community Outreach & Professional Engagement
Claudia F. Clavijo, MD, serves as the Vice Chair of Community Outreach & Professional Engagement (COPE) and Section Chief of Neurological and Spine Anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesiology. An Associate Professor, Dr. Clavijo is a distinguished leader with a global background in medicine. She obtained her medical degree from the Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad “CES” in Medellín, Colombia, and completed a rigorous residency in Anesthesiology at the same institution. Her expertise is further solidified by a fellowship in Neuroanesthesia from the University of Colorado. Dr. Clavijo's extensive training, including a post-doctoral fellowship in research, underscores her commitment to advancing the field through both clinical excellence and innovative research.
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Dr. Clavijo's impressive career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple Research Seed Awards from the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado. Her research interests and extensive publications are deeply rooted in neuroanesthesia and intraoperative neuromonitoring. She has been invited to present her work at numerous national and international conferences, showcasing her expertise and dedication to improving patient outcomes. As Vice Chair of COPE, she leads initiatives to promote outreach and engagement within the department, creating our Externship Scholarship Opportunity for 4th year visiting medical students and reflecting her dedication to fostering community and accessibility in medicine and in anesthesiology. Dr. Clavijo's multifaceted role encompasses a strong commitment to education, mentorship, patient care, and research, demonstrating her dedication to advancing the field of neuroanesthesia at the University of Colorado and in our Global Health initiatives worldwide.
Dr. Clavijo feels very fortunate to call Colorado home. The mountains are dear to her heart as she finds a connection between them and the Andes in her home country. Dr. Clavijo also deeply appreciates working at the University of Colorado, an institution that strives to provide the highest evidence base care for patients and offers opportunities to each member to thrive and to contribute to their fullest potential.
Debnath Chatterjee, MD, FAAP, FASA
Vice Chair for Faculty Development
Dr. Debnath Chatterjee is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and a Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. His areas of clinical interest are anesthesia for fetal interventions and button battery ingestions in children. He is the Director of Fetal Anesthesia at the Colorado Fetal Care Center and a founding member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Anesthesia.
Dr. Chatterjee is the current Chair of the ASA Committee on Pediatric Anesthesia and the Ad Hoc Committee on Mitochondrial-Associated Sensitivity to Halogenated Agents. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the AAP Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.
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Dr. Chatterjee is passionate about medical education. He is the Editor-in-Chief of OpenAnesthesia, an online educational resource used by anesthesia trainees worldwide. He is also an education editor for the journal Pediatric Anesthesia and one of the founding editors of the SPA Question of the Week project, SPA One-Pagers, and SPA Case Guides.
Susan L. Ingram, Ph.D.
Vice Chair of Research
Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair Professor of Anesthesiology
Susan L. Ingram, Ph.D. is Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz and holds the Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. Dr. Ingram obtained an A.B. from Bowdoin College and Ph.D. from Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Ingram’s research aims to elucidate properties of ion channels, neurotransmitter transporters, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity associated with acute and chronic pain and drug addiction. These proteins are the best targets for the development of novel therapeutics for inhibiting pain and drug addiction. Dr. Ingram has run a continuously funded research lab since 2002, publishing 56 peer-reviewed articles and 20 editorials and book chapters and is a Co-Editor of the 7th edition of Brody’s Human Pharmacology. She has trained several graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty and is active in organizing mentoring programs focused on supporting under-represented trainees in STEM for national societies. Dr. Ingram is currently the President of the International Narcotics Research Conference, a society focused on opioid research.
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Dr. Ingram was excited to take on the role of Vice Chair of Research to support and grow both basic and clinical research within the Department of Anesthesiology with a goal to increase translation of research discoveries to the clinic. Moving to Colorado brought Dr. Ingram full circle as she was born here prior to spending the majority of her childhood in Vermont. She has spent the past two years exploring Denver and the surrounding areas, discovering new restaurants, experiencing the sports culture and getaways to nature.
Anthony Oliva, MD, PhD
Vice Chair of Education
Anthony Oliva, MD, PhD, is a Colorado native whose passion for teaching and education, alongside his clinical expertise, has informed his illustrious career in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. Growing up in a small agricultural town north of Denver, Dr. Oliva pursued his undergraduate degrees at Adams State University and completed his medical and graduate education at the University of Colorado Anschutz. His residency training also took place in Colorado, cementing his deep ties to the state's medical community. Dr. Oliva's commitment to the University of Colorado Anschutz stems from the institution's top-rated School of Medicine and its flagship UCHealth Hospital, which serves a large catchment area, handles complex cases, and spurs clinical innovation and collaboration across teams, providing a perfect learning environment for aspiring anesthesiologists.
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Since joining the department in 2013, Dr. Oliva has held various leadership roles, including Clinical Clerkship Director and Anesthesiology Residency Program Director. Currently serving as Vice Chair of Education, he has been instrumental in increasing the number of residents and enhancing the educational experience with comprehensive curriculum improvements and expanded simulation capabilities. Dr. Oliva finds immense gratification in guiding other educators and ensuring a safe learning space for all. His dedication to mentorship and teaching has earned him multiple accolades, including the Clinical Educator of the Year and Outstanding Teacher of the Year awards. Living in Colorado allows Dr. Oliva to enjoy the state's growing food scene and outdoor activities. He invites prospective residents and fellows and AA students to join the vibrant and supportive community at CU Anschutz and experience all that Colorado has to offer.
Steve Osswald, MBA
Director and Vice Chair of Finance and Administration
Steve Osswald is the Director and Vice Chair of Finance and Administration for the Department of Anesthesiology. He joined the department in April 2019, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in academic medicine and over 25 years in healthcare. A native of Wisconsin, Steve earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his MBA from the University of Colorado Boulder. His diverse background in healthcare administration includes roles such as Pediatric Surgery Practice Manager at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Business Manager at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, and Director of Finance and Administration for the CU Anschutz Department of Otolaryngology. His extensive experience has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth in the institutions he has served.
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Since joining the University of Colorado Anschutz, Steve has played a crucial role in navigating financial and operational challenges. He has restructured administrative staff, developed new accounting structures to enhance financial reporting, and negotiated support agreements to bolster the department's financial health. His vision for the department is to provide the administrative and financial backing needed to elevate its status as a top research department, premier medical education destination, and leading provider of exceptional clinical care. By emphasizing the importance of recruiting and retaining top talent, and ensuring career progression, he has built a team that provides comprehensive support to the department’s faculty.
Steve enjoys calling Colorado home, where he and his wife, Merissa, take full advantage of the state’s great outdoors with their two rescue Golden Retrievers, Tucker and Lucy. Their daughter, Ashton, recently launched her nursing career in the operating rooms at University of Colorado Hospital, while their son, Michael, is pursuing an accounting degree at the University of Arizona in Tucson. From hiking and biking to tailgating at CU football games, Steve embraces Colorado as the ideal setting to balance a rewarding career with an active family life. He invites prospective faculty and staff to join the vibrant CU Anschutz community and experience all that Colorado has to offer.