PGY-1 Lauren Pferdmenges, MD

Why Anesthesia?

Anesthesia felt like a great fit for me because I enjoy pharmacology and I love seeing the effects of my interventions immediately. I also like being completely focused on the patient in front of me, rather than multitasking between several different patients. Anesthesiologists also have the unique privilege of comforting people when they're feeling most afraid, and it's gratifying to figure out what someone needs- or who they need you to be- in order to feel comfortable and safe. This is something I'm naturally inclined to do, and it feels like a privilege to earn their trust.

Lastly, I'm a firm believer in paying close  attention to the "mundane" aspects of each specialty you're interested in, because this is the most accurate reflection of what your working hours will be comprised of. For me personally, I felt burnt out after several mornings spent on pre-rounding, writing notes, etc. However, I could truly see myself  starting every morning in a quiet OR, setting up an anesthesia cart just the way I like it. This solidified my decision to pursue anesthesia as a career!

Why UC?

I went out of state for college and medical school, so coming back to Cincinnati was already on my radar. When I did an away rotation here, I knew within one week that it's where I wanted to be. The first reason for this is that many of the residents I spent time with were new CA-1's, and their clinical competence in unfamiliar scenarios was already readily apparent. I knew that the training and exposure here would instill the same confidence in me. What really set UC apart for me, though, was the unparalleled commitment to education and the incredibly supportive residents. There's not one person here who hasn't been welcoming, and the anesthesia residents made me feel like family during my away rotation. As a current resident now, I can honestly say that the strong bond you form with co-residents forms the camaraderie that's essential for getting through the long days of intern year and beyond! In addition, everyone you meet here- from the Anesthesiology attendings giving daily lunch hour didactics, to the IM chief residents leading noon conference and academic half days- is truly here to invest in your learning. You really won't find another program that values its residents' growth quite as much as UC!

CA-1 Alero Arueyingho, MD

Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Undergrad School: Pepperdine University

CA-1 Lauren Ashley Brown, MD

Grad School: Medical College of Georgia

Undergrad School: Elon University

Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia

Hobbies: Group Fitness, Live Events (sports, concerts & open mic comedy shows), Psychological Thrillers

Why did you choose anesthesia?

In medical school, I had the privilege of learning from anesthesiologists who embodied traits I deeply admire : compassion, poise under pressure, critical thinking, and strong leadership. As I learned more about the field, I grew to appreciate the unique blend of procedural skills, critical thinking, and clinical expertise unique to anesthesia. The ability to build trust quickly with patients, understand complex pathology, and make real-time interventions is both challenging and rewarding.

Anesthesiology demands a "team player" mentality. Having grown up playing team sports, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of teamwork. Mastering the dynamics of leadership, cooperation, and collaboration is critical to the field—it is exactly what I strive to embody in my career.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

Choosing Cincinnati was an easy decision. During my interview, I felt the genuine camaraderie among residents and leadership. It was clear that I would not only receive exceptional training but also be supported along the way. Beyond the medical training, Cincinnati has so much to offer. Amazing food, parks, sports and more—all without the usual hustle and bustle of larger cities. I am incredibly grateful to join a program that prioritizes learning, growth, and nurturing a supportive community—it is a place I am genuinely excited to call home.

CA-3 Lior Kopel, MD

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Undergrad School: Rochester, Michigan

Hometown: Westlake Village, CA

Hobbies: Golfing, Traveling, Trying new foods and restaurants, Binge watching Netflix, and taking my puppy on adventures.

Why did you choose anesthesia?

Going into medical school, I thought I wanted to go into surgery. Through my rotations during my 3rd and 4th year, I got more experience in the ORs and realized that I preferred to be on the other side of the curtain. I also noticed that my personality was very similar to many of the anesthesiologist I had met and realized that I had found my future specialty.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

Cincinnati was my first virtual interview of the season, and after logging off the zoom call that day, I had a gut feeling that I was going to make this program my home for the next part of my training. After attending a medical school that valued strong relationships, I hoped to find a residency program that shared similar values. I had very genuine conversations with the faculty and all the residents seemed to be good friends. Throughout the rest of the interview cycle, I found myself comparing each program to Cincinnati, and in the end, none were comparable.

CA-2 A. J. Pagan, MD

Medical School: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Undergrad School: University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Hobbies: I really enjoy cooking. During COVID I purchased a smoker and have been trying new recipes. I am also passionate about staying active outside of work through exercise and playing pick-up sports or trying new restaurants and breweries throughout the city.

Why did you choose anesthesia?

I have always been passionate about providing patients comfort while they are experiencing vulnerable situations. As an anesthesiologist, I can do so in unique ways different from any other specialty, which include communicating with patients before surgery, providing instant relief in the forms of blocks/injections, or providing pain management postoperatively using multimodal methods. Anesthesiologists also have a unique role within the operating room compared to surgical fields. We have to constantly take in all the information on a moment-to-moment basis and critically think to make quick decisions about how to stabilize a patient. Each case presents unique anesthetic considerations and potential problems. I love the idea of having to critically think in every new case and make decisions quickly.

Why did you choose Cincinnati?

I chose Cincinnati because of the culture of the program and the supportive faculty. Being a medical student here at UC allowed me to interact a lot with this department and from the beginning, everyone was so kind and genuinely interested in my success and career development. Within the residency, each class was so friendly with each other and there was a true sense of family. In addition to the excellent education and training opportunities, the residents here took an interest in each other's hobbies and interests outside of work. Lastly, my significant other is an MD/PhD student here, and staying close to her and family was important to me.