The Caliber of Our Trainees: A Story of Dedication and Leadership

At the core of CU Department of Anesthesiology’s medical training program is a relentless commitment to excellence and a deep sense of responsibility to shape future leaders in healthcare. Our trainees are more than just students, residents, and fellows; many are emerging leaders in their respective fields, bringing with them a profound dedication to learning, mentorship, and service. A shining example of this is fourth-year resident, Dr. Kimberly Mendoza.

Dr. Mendoza embodies the caliber of trainees that define our program. Hailing from Texas and holding multiple advanced degrees from prestigious institutions, including an MD, PhD, and an MPH from Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, and Harvard, respectively, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to pushing the boundaries of education and healthcare.

Her passion for mentorship has been evident throughout her time here, currently serving as the intern chief resident, where she has taken an active role in guiding new residents and fostering a supportive learning environment. As she noted, her approach is about building meaningful connections: "I love connecting with other individuals not only at my institution but at other institutions across the world." Her work in mentorship not only enriches the lives of her peers but also ensures that the next generation of physicians is well-equipped to lead in their fields.

Global Health Work: Innovating for Underserved Communities

Our department’s commitment to global health goes beyond the classroom and the hospital. We believe that healthcare is a universal right, and our program actively engages in projects that seek to improve healthcare delivery in under-resourced areas around the world and in providing opportunities for our residents and fellows to make an immediate impact in resource-limited settings world-wide.

Dr. Mendoza's passion for global health work is a testament to her commitment to improving maternal care in Guatemala. Shocked by the 80% cesarean section rate in rural areas, Dr. Mendoza's goal is to improve post-operative care for women who, until recently, had little to no access to pain management after surgery. As part of her project, she collaborated with local hospitals to enhance the quality of cesarean deliveries in regions that see up to 3,000 surgeries a year, far surpassing the numbers seen in most major U.S. hospitals. Her focus on improving healthcare delivery in underserved populations showcases the real-world impact our trainees are making globally.

Dr. Mendoza’s innovation does not stop at traditional global health work. She is also passionate about combining palliative care with obstetric anesthesia to address a critical gap in support for patients experiencing intrauterine fetal demise. Her drive to push the boundaries of these fields underscores our program's commitment to fostering pioneering work that not only addresses current healthcare challenges but also anticipates the needs of future patients.

As Dr. Mendoza reflects: "I realized that patients who undergo such traumatic experiences as an intrauterine fetal demise were not receiving palliative care support. This is a forgotten niche, and I wanted to help fill that gap, combining my interests in palliative care with obstetric anesthesia."

Conclusion

Our program is proud of trainees like Dr. Mendoza, who represent the very best of what anesthesiologists can strive for and achieve. Her continued dedication to the field and improving lives and healthcare delivery both here at home and abroad inspires us all. 

If you want to learn more about our residency program and our Global Anesthesiology Health Program elective for residents, please contact Tara Boyle, tara.boyle@cuanschutz.edu, or Caroline Dockerty, caroline.dockerty@cuanschutz.edu. Both are our Education Coordinators for our Residency Program.