Words from the FAER Family

As it celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) is delighted to share the below testimonials from FAER program participants, grantees, leaders, and more from over the years about what FAER means to them and to the specialty at large. Thank you to all those who have helped FAER become what it is today!

Jump to Testimonials from the Past.

Testimonials from 2026

QiLiang Chen, MD, PhD Karen B. Domino, MD, MPH Tobias de la Garza Eckle, MD, PhD, FASA Dhaval Gandhi, BS James Hecker, PhD, MD Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD, MBA, FASA Roger A. Johns, MD, MHS, PhD Vesela Kovacheva, MD, PhD Sean C. Mackey, MD, PhD G. Alec Rooke, MD, PhD Donald R. Stanski, MD Santhanam Suresh, MD, MBA, FASA, FASRA, FAAP Eellan Sivanesan, MD, FASA Brandon Kyle Tan, MD Arthur Wallace, MD, PHD

“FAER supported me at a pivotal point in my journey as a physician-investigator. Its Mentored Research Training Grant helped me lay the foundation for my research program and secure additional funding. FAER gives early-career anesthesiologists the opportunity to pursue their clinical and research interests. I am grateful for FAER’s investment and excited to see it continue to advance research and patient care in our specialty.”
- QiLiang Chen, MD, PhD | 2021 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2023 Mentored Research Training Grant Recipient

“FAER support strongly impacted my academic career and research journey! I received an early FAER grant (at that time called an ASA Starter grant) as a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania for $3500 many years ago. This grant supported a very complex  pulmonary physiology research project, The results were later highlighted in ANESTHESIOLGY and provided strong support for my NIH funding in this area. It also provided me with an excellent job offer at the University of Washington.

“Over time, with scientific advances and NIH funding priorities, priorities changed to genome sciences. I transitioned my research focuses to health services/epidemiology during a sabbatical leave for a MPH degree. Since then, I've headed up the Anesthesiology Closed Claims Project, the ASA Practice Parameters Committee that produces our practice guidelines and advisories, and clinical projects over the years. The FAER award launched my on a very successful academic career and I am forever indebted to the small investment to support my first research project!
- Karen B. Domino, MD, MPH | Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“Receiving the FAER Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) was the ultimate catalyst for my career. As an early-career physician-scientist, the protected research time and resources it provided were invaluable.This initial investment truly set my career in motion, serving as the launchpad for continuous federal funding—including multiple NHLBI R01 grants—and over 117 peer-reviewed publications. Today, as a Professor at the University of Colorado, I am deeply grateful to FAER for believing in my vision and empowering me to mentor the next generation of researchers.”
- Tobias de la Garza Eckle, MD, PhD, FASA | 2009 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER’s MSARF showed me that I could build a career as an academic anesthesiologists where questions from the operating room can become meaningful research questions that improves patient care. FAER strengthened my commitment to academic anesthesiology and to offering future students the same encouragement and opportunities that made such a difference for me.”
- Dhaval Gandhi, BS | 2024 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“FAER was critical in starting me on a long academic career in non viral gene delivery for CNS disorders and neuro protection. I have many fond memories of seeing Alan Sessler at FAER events and booths at the ASA every year. Research is critical for our specialty.”
- James Hecker, PhD, MD | 1997 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient | 1998 New investigator Award (NIA) Recipient

“It is difficult to overstate the catalytic impact of the FAER grant on my professional trajectory. Beyond enabling immediate, high-impact research, this funding served as the cornerstone for my broader long-term academic strategy. It afforded me the time and breathing space to be creative and innovative, pursue novel mechanistic insights, and build robust preliminary evidence that subsequently unlocked major competitive grants. The FAER's willingness to believe in me and to back innovative science early has made a lasting mark on my career and our field.

“Simply stated, it turned out that the FAER grant wasn't just a finish line for my academic journey.  It was the launchpad that enabled me to put my academic anesthesiologist career on a solid, lasting footing.  

“Thank you, FAER, for all you do for our specialty and for academic medicine in general!
- Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD, MBA, FASA | 1998 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient | FAER Board Member

“FAER is one of the highlights of my career! As an early awardee, it was a keystone to my research career.  Serving on the FAER-ASA grant review committee for over 20 years gave me the opportunity to mentor and help develop so many academic careers and watch the science of our specialty grow.  As a member and Chair of its Board I had the opportunity to participate in the evolution of the FAER program.  I am so very grateful to have worked with the incredibly dedicated FAER team, its Board and amazing awardees!”
- Roger A. Johns, MD, MHS, PhD | 1987 NIA Recipient | 2010 FAER-Helrich Research Lecturer | FAER Board Member (2013 – 2024) | FAER Board Chair (2022 – 2023)

“FAER supported me at a pivotal stage in building my career as a physician-scientist. The award affirmed the value of my research ideas and provided essential protected time to pursue them. With that support, I built the foundation for subsequent funding, including an NIH K08 career development award and, most recently, an R01. I remain deeply grateful to FAER for its early investment in my potential and for the lasting impact of that support on my research career.”
- Vesela Kovacheva, MD, PhD | 2019 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER had a major impact on my career. My first FAER award helped launch the pain neuroimaging work that became the foundation of my research program, but the mentorship was just as important. Senior investigators invested their time in teaching me how to develop ideas, write grants, and become an independent investigator. I have tried to pay that forward by mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists. FAER’s willingness to invest early in people is why it remains so important to the future of anesthesiology.”
- Sean C. Mackey, MD, PhD | 2003 Research Training Grant (RTG) Recipient | 2024 FAER-Helrich Research Lecturer

“While improvement in anesthetic care is the major goal of research, medical specialties are often judged by the quality of the research associated with it.  Anesthesiology needs to produce quality research and that is why I support FAER.”
- G. Alec Rooke, MD, PhD | 1985 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“I had the unique opportunity 40 years ago to serve on the ASA Committee for Research and to be part of the leadership to create FAER, including being part of the first FAER executive committee. The goals and vision for FAER 40 years ago have not changed as of today.

“Financial support, peer-reviewed funding and scientific mentorship of anesthesiologists to create new knowledge for the safe practice of Anesthesiology continues, 40 years later.

“I could not be prouder to be part of the founding of FAER and to watch the organization grow, mature and contribute to our specialty practice of medicine.”
- Donald R. Stanski, MD | 1980 Researcher Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient | FAER Board Member (1986 – 1993)

“FAER gave me a headstart to my research career.  My Research in Education grant allowed me to focus on education and means to advance education in the field of Anesthesiology.  I received a high honor of Educator of the Year from the ASA in 2023 - thank you, FAER!”
- Santhanam Suresh, MD, MBA, FASA, FASRA, FAAP | 2008 Research in Education Grant (REG) Recipient | 2023 ASA Educator of the Year

“FAER support came at an important point in my career. The MRTG gave me protected time and funding to develop my research on spinal cord stimulation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. That work helped me successfully compete for an NIH K08 and build the research program I have today. I think FAER is especially important because it gives early-career anesthesiologists the opportunity to develop their ideas and establish themselves as independent investigators.”
- Eellan Sivanesan, MD, FASA | 2020 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER gave me support in research. It has changed my life. Thank you!”
- Brandon Kyle Tan, MD | 2023 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“My first grant was a $25,000 FAER grant that paid for some electronics that I used to create a monitor of left ventricular function. We used that device for 30 years of studies of heart failure, surgical therapies for heart failure, and it led to an FDA approved, non-invasive cardiac output monitor. FAER sponsored multiple medical students in my lab, each that worked on developing new medical monitors. Many of these students now are attending academic anesthesiologists. I am profoundly grateful to FAER who helped create my and many others anesthesia careers.”
- Arthur Wallace, MD, PHD | 1993 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient

Testimonials from the Past

Joseph F. Antognini, MD, FASA, and Bonnie Antognini Alberto J. de Armendi, MD, PhD, MBA Dusica Bajic, MD, PhD Frederic T. (Josh) Billings IV, MD, MSc Daniel Y. Chan C. David Collard, MD, MS C. Michael Crowder, MD, PhD Quynlan Duffy, MD Roderic G. Eckenhoff, MD Stuart A. Forman, MD, PhD Julie K. Freed, MD, PhD, FAHA, FCVS Paul S. Garcia, MD, PhD Lee A. Goeddel, MD, MPH, FCCM Engy R. Hanna, MD Thomas K. Henthorn, MD Patricia A. Kapur, MD Natalie Jane Koons, DO Sapna R. Kudchadkar, MD, PhD, FCCM James A. Lambert, PhD David E. Longnecker, MD George A. Mashour, MD, PhD Kathryn E. McGoldrick, MD, FASA, FCAI (Hon) Kelly Michaelsen, MD, PhD Mark D. Neuman, MD, MSc Dolores B. Njoku, MD Terrique Pinnock, MD Stephen D. Shumpert, MD Brett A. Simon, MD, PhD Richard M. Smiley, MD, PhD Ken Solt, MD Jochen Steppan, MD, FASA Mariah K. Tanious, MD, MPH Vivianne L. Tawfik, MD, PhD Soban Umar, MD, PhD, FAHA, ATSF Brittney Williams, MD E. Railey White, MD, PhD Margaret Wood, MB, ChB, FACA, FRCA Anna Woodbury, MD, MSCR, C.Ac Amy Wu, MD Lisa Young, MD Kathy Zhang, MD Xiao Lu Zhang, DO, PhD Zhiyi Zuo, MD, PhD

“When all is said and done, the advancement of knowledge in anesthesiology boils down to one thing: improving the lives of our patients. Ultimately, this is what drives us to contribute to FAER.”
- Joseph F. Antognini, MD, FASA, and Bonnie Antognini | 1994 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient | 1994 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient

“The FAER B.B. Sankey Anesthesia Advancement Award gave me the opportunity to have an initial educational/research starter grant and the momentum to continue pursuing an academic research career.

“Motivated by my research experience, I have donated to FAER and I have established several Endowed Research Chairs in academia.”
- Alberto J. de Armendi, MD, PhD, MBA | 1990 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“FAER did more than fund a project; it helped launch a sustained commitment to advancing translational science within our specialty.”
- Dusica Bajic, MD, PhD | 2009 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“The FAER MRTG award provided the time required to learn new skills and conduct translational research critical to building a path towards scientific discovery.”
- Frederic T. (Josh) Billings IV, MD, MSc | 2005 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2011 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER’s Medical Student Fellowship Programs have truly had a transformative impact on my personal journey in medicine. They’ve opened up so many doors to scientific discovery and professional growth I could’ve never previously imagined for myself as a first-generation college student. As an aspiring academic anesthesiologist, I really hope I can emulate the same atmosphere of supportive inquiry and scholarship with my future colleagues. Thank you so much to FAER for making all of this possible.”
- Daniel Y. Chan | 2024 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant | 2026 Advanced Medical Student Research Fellowship (AMSRF) Recipient

“Most successful academicians in our discipline are previous FAER grant recipients. I think that speaks for itself.”
- C. David Collard, MD, MS | 1998 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient

“[FAER] funding gave me and my chairman the confidence that I could successfully compete for outside funding for my research program.”
- C. Michael Crowder, MD, PhD | 1995 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient

“Coming from a regional medical school campus, the FAER MSARF program was transformative in providing mentorship that guided my residency preparation while also cultivating my interest in scholarly work and academic anesthesiology.”
- Quynlan Duffy, MD | 2025 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“FAER funding was the crucial bridge between fellowship and government funding. This bridge was made all the more solid by excellent and thorough critique of my FAER application provided by its review panel.”
- Roderic G. Eckenhoff, MD | 1991 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient | FAER Board Member (2019 - 2025) | 2012 Mentoring Excellence in Research Award Recipient | 2019 FAER-Helrich Research Lecturer

“The FAER award enabled my early success and built my confidence when applying for subsequent funding.”
- Stuart A. Forman, MD, PhD | 1994 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“The FAER funding ignited my research career to understand mechanisms of human microvascular dysfunction, the precursor to cardiovascular disease.”
- Julie K. Freed, MD, PhD, FAHA, FCVS | 2013 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2018 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient | 2024 FAER NAM Fellow

“When the fellowship ended, I was certain I would become an anesthesiologist, and I believe my MSARF experience was one of the factors that helped me obtain my first-choice residency program.”
- Paul S. Garcia, MD, PhD | 2005 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant | 2008 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to FAER, the ASA, and the anesthesiology community for supporting my research and career development. This FAER MRTG award will allow my mentors and me to push the scientific frontier in acute kidney injury during cardiac surgery.”
- Lee A. Goeddel, MD, MPH, FCCM | 2013 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2024 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“The FAER Resident Scholar Program was an inspiring experience that reinforced my decision to pursue a career in academic anesthesiology and provided substantial information related to academic career development.”
- Engy R. Hanna, MD | 2011 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant

“The Young Investigator Award was very important for my research career in a number of gratifying ways. [It] gave me the time and resources to establish a laboratory and a working relationship with collaborators, as well as allowing us to generate data that later contributed to successful grants at the NIH.

“It also taught me how supportive the academic anesthesia community really is. The process of applying for a FAER grant serves as an introduction to this community and helps forge relationships that will last a lifetime.”
- Thomas K. Henthorn, MD | 1986 Young Investigator Award (YIA) Recipient

“Forty years later, I have been thrilled to witness the outstanding success of FAER programs and their associated impact on participants’ subsequent careers.”
- Patricia A. Kapur, MD | FAER President (1993 – 1994) | FAER Board Member (1987 – 1994)

“The FAER MSARF program was fundamental in shaping my interest and passion in pursuing a career as a clinician-scientist in anesthesiology. The mentorship I received from all of the individuals involved with FAER has impacted my choice to pursue a residency program not only with a specific anesthesiology research track, but one with the support and mentorship to pursue my specific research interests.”
- Natalie Jane Koons, DO | 2020 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“The entire process of applying for, revising and resubmitting and being awarded such a competitive grant through a rigorous process was pivotal to my skill-building, confidence and passion for research. FAER funding made me see that I was a clinician-scientist at my core.”
- Sapna R. Kudchadkar, MD, PhD, FCCM | 2010 Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) Recipient

“My opportunities through FAER were instrumental to me matching into my first choice at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. I couldn’t be more pleased!”
- James A. Lambert, PhD | 2019 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“I continue to champion the work of FAER because I believe so strongly in the contribution that our specialty brings to the spectrum of today’s and tomorrow’s health care.”
- David E. Longnecker, MD | FAER Board Member (1994)

“As a former FAER awardee myself, I know first-hand what a transformative role these early grants can play. Thank you, FAER, for your commitment to academic anesthesiology.”
- George A. Mashour, MD, PhD | 2004 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2008 CFM Recipient | FAER Board Member (2014 – 2019) | 2017 FAER-Helrich Research Lecturer

“What are the effects, if any, of anesthetics on the developing human brain? What consequences, if any, do anesthetic agents have for the aged brain? These are but a few of the many critical issues that must be addressed through research, and what organization is better equipped than FAER to facilitate progress in meaningful areas of research?”
- Kathryn E. McGoldrick, MD, FASA, FCAI (Hon) | FAER Board Member (2005 – 2012)

“[FAER support] started my career and I wouldn't be doing this career as a physician-engineer without it!”
- Kelly Michaelsen, MD, PhD | 2018 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2020 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“Receiving a mentored career development grant from FAER early in my time at Penn was absolutely essential to helping me achieve my career goals. We're lucky to have FAER in anesthesiology to support clinician scientists across the life cycle."
- Mark D. Neuman, MD, MSc | 2007 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2011 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“Since my FAER grant, FAER has grown significantly; however, its singular focus to support the development of the physician-scientist has not changed. FAER provided critical support for my academic career, and I am forever grateful.”
- Dolores B. Njoku, MD | 2000 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient | FAER Board Member (2015 – 2026) | FAER Board Chair (2024 - 2025)

“Participating in FAER MSARF [program] was the most compelling factor in my decision to pursue anesthesiology training. I am incredibly grateful for the supportive lifelong mentors that inspired me to join this amazing specialty!"
- Terrique Pinnock, MD | 2021 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“[My MSARF] research experience sparked a flame for me not only to be an anesthesiologist providing exceptional care to patients, but also to be involved and invested in the continuation of increasing scientific knowledge in the field in order to further improve patient care.”
- Stephen D. Shumpert, MD | 2013 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“Innovative programs such as the FAER Mentored Research Training Grant and the FAER Academy of Research Mentors in Anesthesiology should be applauded and enthusiastically supported.”
- Brett A. Simon, MD, PhD | 1997 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“My FAER funding was a ‘Starter Grant’ in 1989.  It was only for $15,000, which even then was not much. But it gave me credibility within the Department and got me quite a bit of research time.”
- Richard M. Smiley, MD, PhD | 1989 Research Starter Grant (RSG) Recipient

“Looking back at my journey as a physician-scientist, I cannot overstate the importance of the FAER MRTG in launching my career and the mentors who inspired and encouraged me along the way.”
- Ken Solt, MD | 2006 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient | 2025 FAER-Helrich Research Lecturer

“[My FAER grant] provided me with essential time for my research to lay the ground work for additional grants and society work.”
- Jochen Steppan, MD, FASA | 2014 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“Through the MSARF experience, I was further prepared to think critically, to function with independence while still understanding my knowledge and skill deficits, and to continually seek creative ways to integrate anesthesiology and research in public health.”
- Mariah K. Tanious, MD, MPH | 2014 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“FAER represents our commitment as a specialty to the advancement of knowledge, whether it is basic science, clinical outcomes, education, patient safety or somewhere in between. FAER represents our investment in the future of physician-scientist trainees, an investment for which I am indebted.”
- Vivianne L. Tawfik, MD, PhD | 2011 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2013 Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) Recipient | 2015 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER plays a vital role in the career development of physicians and physician-scientists in anesthesiology. FAER’s MSARF, RSP, and various [grants] are precious resources for trainees and practicing anesthesiologists.”
- Soban Umar, MD, PhD, FAHA, ATSF | 2014 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2016 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“FAER has provided me not only the opportunity to contribute to the national scientific workspace, but be a role model and encourage other female minorities and budding physician-scientists who are looking for that reflection.”
- Brittney Williams, MD | 2020 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient

“My career has been many years in the making, but in particular since residency, I’ve seen a remarkable amount of growth in myself. Growth catalyzed by FAER’s support”
- E. Railey White, MD, PhD | 2019 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2019 Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) Recipient; 2021 Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Recipient | 2024 Transition to Independence Grant (TIG) Recipient

“FAER has emerged as the premier philanthropic research organization for anesthesiology. Many investigators received their first funding from FAER – and without that important funding their research careers may never have got off the ground.”
- Margaret Wood, MB, ChB, FACA, FRCA | FAER Board Member (2009 – 2016) | 2016 Mentoring Excellence in Research Award Recipient

“The FAER Research Fellowship Grant allowed me the opportunity to apply my clinical knowledge to target an area of medicine I felt needed further elucidation while giving me the chance to learn, in depth, basic science skills that I can apply to pain and neuroscience research for the rest of my academic career.”
- Anna Woodbury, MD, MSCR, C.Ac | 2012 Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) Recipient

“The FAER MSARF program is an excellent way to start a career in academic anesthesiology!”
- Amy Wu, MD | 2022 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant; 2022 Swimming with Sharks Participant

“FAER absolutely changed my medical student career and allowed me to find mentors I never would’ve known otherwise.”
- Lisa Young, MD | 2024 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“My opportunities through FAER were instrumental to me matching into my first choice at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. I couldn’t be more pleased!”
- Kathy Zhang, MD | 2019 Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) Participant

“FAER support provided protected research time, mentorship, and the opportunity to pursue translational questions connecting basic science with clinically relevant perioperative disease. The experience reinforced the important role anesthesiologists can play in advancing mechanistic and translational research.”
- Xiao Lu Zhang, DO, PhD | 2022-2023 Resident Scholar Program (RSP) Participant | 2024 Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) Recipient

“The FAER award was critical for me to become an independent investigator and to pursue my career dream of becoming a physician scientist.”
- Zhiyi Zuo, MD, PhD | 2001 New Investigator Award (NIA) Recipient | FAER Board Member

FOUNDATION FOR ANESTHESIA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (FAER)
FAER is a related foundation of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). For 40 years, FAER has been dedicated to developing the next generation of physician-investigators in anesthesiology. Charitable contributions and support to FAER help fuel the future of anesthesiology through scientific discovery. Funding priorities include: Research, Education, and Training. At the time of this article's publication, FAER has awarded more than $63 million in research grants and programs since 1986. To donate to FAER, visit FAER.org/donate.