CA-3 Morgan Tyler, MD

Medical School: University of Virginia

Undergrad School: Old Dominion University

Hobbies: Baking, exercise (The Sculpt You app!), embroidery, podcasts (-Ologies, LeVar Burton Reads), trying new restaurants and recipes

Why did you choose anesthesia?

I chose Anesthesia because even on longer days, I still felt good and wanted to come back. The residents and faculty I worked with on my rotations were really great teachers and I want to understand physiology as well as they do. I also just loved the variety of cases you get to see and having the time to just listen to patients in the mornings before a case.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

I chose Cincinnati mostly based on my interview and conversations I had with residents. Every interview felt like a casual conversation and I felt like I had common interests with both residents and faculty.  The interactions between everyone at the program seemed genuine and laid back so I felt like these could be my people. Residents I spoke with after interviews were honest about why they chose this program and continue to feel good about their decision which was reassuring. 

CA-3 Erik McKee, MD

Medical School: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Undergrad School: University of Miami

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Hobbies: Cooking, hiking, golfing, skiing, weightlifting, and playing video games

Why did you choose anesthesia?

Anesthesia provides constant opportunities to think through physiology, and I love how that knowledge has a direct impact on our immediate decision making. Our actions in OR also yield pretty immediate results, and seeing tangible changes as a result of your actions is very gratifying. I also enjoy the role anesthesiologists play in ensuring a positive outcome for medically complex cases. Anesthesiologists also get the unique opportunity to comfort anxious patients during some of their most vulnerable moments before surgery, combining the humanistic aspects of medicine with the procedural aspects of surgery.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

I ranked Cincinnati as my top choice because of the strong relationships I made with both faculty members and residents during my medical school rotations. Not only have I grown to love the city over the past four years, but Cincinnati's program is also the perfect small-to-medium size. There is a wonderful, genuine culture of support amongst the residents and faculty, as well as plenty of large, complex cases with ample cardiac and transplant exposure. Overall, the tight-knit community coupled with the strength of clinical training made it an easy choice for me.

CA-1 Shreya Dey, MD

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Undergrad School: University of Akron

Hometown: Mason, OH

Hobbies: Contemporary singing, piano, acrylic painting, enjoying the sun one way or another, speakeasies, breweries, exploring the city

Why did you choose anesthesia?

I had a hard time choosing a specialty throughout medical school. I remember everyone telling me “Don’t worry – something will click eventually.” Rather the opposite occurred; I felt that I ruled almost everything out! But during one of my rotations, I had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about anesthesiology, and I finally had that “click” moment. Anesthesia had all the components I wanted within a specialty from thought-provoking clinicals to various procedural opportunities. What resonated with me the most was the patient-physician interaction! As an anesthesiologist, we get the unique opportunity to form the first positive and comforting relationship with the patient about to undergo an intimidating surgical procedure. By forming these connections, I knew I was making a large difference for my patient – and I look forward to continuing this.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

I had the privilege of rotating at UC as a visiting student and I had an amazing experience. Afterwards, UC became the gold standard for residency programs and nothing else could compare! In such a short time, I felt prioritized by the program leadership, welcomed by the residents, and learned valuable lessons from the attendings. When choosing a program, I had no doubt that Cincinnati offered clinical and academics with emphasis on high acuity cases. I was confident that UC would train me well. However, when choosing a program, I placed lots of emphasis on the camaraderie and culture within the hospital. At the end of the day, residency involves long hours, and I thought to myself, “who would I like to be around at 2AM?” I confidently chose UC as the team I enjoyed spending time with and learning from the most, and so far I can say that I do not regret my choice!!

CA-3 Christian Derenthal, DO

Medical School: Kansas City University of Osteopathic Medicine

Undergrad School: Brigham Young University

Hobbies: Playing with kids, Making chocolate at home from cacao nibs, reading science fiction, playing pick-up basketball for exercise

CA-1 Katherine Dunshee, DO

Medical School: Marian University

Graduate School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Undergrad School: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Hobbies: Soccer, running/weight lifting/workout classes, spending time with family and friends, reality tv

Why did you choose anesthesia?

Going under anesthesia can be an overwhelming experience for many people. During medical school, I knew I wanted to be at the interface of these moments to help guide patients through their most vulnerable and life-changing events. As an anesthesiologist, you wholeheartedly take on the role of patient advocate, and I gravitated toward that responsibility. Anesthesiology is dynamic – it requires quick problem-solving skills and a profound understanding of physiology and pharmacology to deliver care efficiently and safely. I absolutely love the cerebral and procedural nature of this field.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

On paper, the University of Cincinnati was a no-brainer—you have the honor of serving a sick patient population, you get early exposure to very complex cases (most notably a high volume of liver transplants), and you have the ability to tailor your training to your future goals.

My away rotation at UC solidified that this truly is a special place. I’ve been on sports teams my whole life; so, being part of a group who pushes you to be the best version of yourself, recognizes the importance of teamwork and collegiality, and also supports you along the way was very important to me. I wanted that team environment to be replicated in my residency program, and I identified those qualities very quickly at UC. I was also impressed by how the residents troubleshooted intra-operative challenges and adapted to changes with confidence and ease. I can say with absolute certainty that I found my people and couldn’t be happier. The caliber of training here is unmatched, and I feel very lucky to call this program home.