The Neuroanesthesiology, Otolaryngology, and Offsite Anesthesiology Division at Duke has a tradition of clinical excellence, innovative research and outstanding education. In the early days of Duke Anesthesiology, Dr. Bruno Urban was primarily responsible for neuroanesthesia procedures. He passed the torch to one of his former fellows, Dr. Ziaur Rahman, who served as the first official chief of the neuroanesthesiology division at Duke. However, in the early 1990s, neuroanesthesia moved to a section within the Division of General Services Anesthesia.
Dr. Cecil Borel was recruited by Dr. Jerry Reves from Johns Hopkins in 1993 to develop the neuroanesthesia practice at Duke. Borel became the new division chief after neuroanesthesia separated from the Division of General Services Anesthesia in 1997, where he built a world-class neuroanesthesia program and grew the Neuro-ICU through active recruitment and training. While Reves recruited Borel to lead the clinical mission for neuroanesthesia, Reves also recruited Dr. David Warner to establish a robust neuroanesthesia research program. Under Warner’s expertise, the neuroanesthesia division saw continuous and rising funding, with an impressive academic output. Dr. David McDonagh, who succeeded as division chief following Borel, focused on the educational mission of the division, creating a neuroanesthesia fellowship in 2010 and serving as the fellowship director of the Neurocritical Care Fellowship, which he brought to prominence. Under Dr. Dhanesh Gupta’s leadership, the neuroanesthesia fellowship achieved accreditation through the International Council of Perioperative Neuroscience Training (ICPNT), and coverage of offsite anesthesia expanded.
This division is committed to the belief that continuous improvement is essential, regardless of our current level of expertise. Looking to the future, the division seeks to support growth and advancing clinical excellence in neurosurgery, otolaryngology and interventional radiology. It will continue to train subspecialty leaders in this arena and, through research, produce insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of complex neurologic syndromes. At the core of the division’s mission is the recognition that future success will come from effectively training and inspiring resident physicians and fellows and developing junior faculty, providing world-class clinical care, and advancing the field through cutting-edge research.