MEMBER NEWS
WINNER in Focus: Interview with Dr. Letha Matthews
M. Angele Théard, MD
Chair of Membership Committee
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M. Angele Théard, MD |
Welcome to WINNER in Focus: Interview with Dr. Letha Matthews, MD, FCAI is Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She has been a member of SNACC since 2008 and in her home institution, she is Chief of the Division of Neuroanesthesiology.
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Letha Matthews, MD, FCAI |
As a SNACC member, Dr. Matthews lends much of her input and talent to the Education committee. Her thoughtfully conducted interviews as expert and interrogator are integral to supporting SNACC’s resident/fellow’s audio corner. Moreover, our newsletter would not be the same without a challenging case section to which Dr. Matthews regularly contributes relevant and thought-provoking scenarios.
Dr. Matthews is an active participant at our Annual Meetings: presenting; providing input and support; as well as making time to support our trainees and junior faculty. I hope you enjoy reading this snapshot of one of SNACC’s WINNERs.
- What/Who influenced you to choose a career in neuroanesthesia?
My choosing neuroanesthesia was, shall I say, just because that was the most appealing field to me when I came to the US after training in the UK. After completing medical school in India, followed by a few years in the UK as a resident, I came to the US and committed myself to the fascinating field of neuroscience.
- Where did you receive most of your training in neuroanesthesia?
The University of Louisville. I did my fellowship in a private hospital where all the residents got their training too. It was a strong program with great clinical training at that time.
- Which area of clinical neuroanesthesia and/or neuroscience research is most appealing to you and why?
I enjoy clinical neuroanesthesia particularly the “awake cranis”. I love these types of anesthetics because they require special skills like skull/scalp blocks, considerable involvement with patients during critical periods like mapping which is very fascinating. I am also interested in ERAS for spine surgery, specifically in opioid sparing techniques; TXA use in spine surgery; and functional neurosurgery.
- What is/has been an important area of focus of your neuroscience research and why?
I am a clinician primarily but involved in some research with functional neurosurgery and spinal cord injury.
- What has been the most challenging aspect of your educational career and/or training?
Balancing work and family life. I was the typical “sandwich” generation mom who had to take care of kids and very sick parents. Therefore, I had to sacrifice my career to make it work. The long hours were impossible at the beginning of my career, then I had to go part-time to balance my life.
- At what point in your career did you meet your first mentor(s)?
Honestly, I never had a mentor until three years ago. I plodded on my own. When I was named the interim chief of neuroanesthesia, our executive vice chair spent some time mentoring me on leadership training. Most of what I have achieved has been with the help from SNACC leadership. I joined SNACC after an email invitation and Dr. Deepak Sharma was the first one to invite me to join the SNACC education team. I would have to say Dr. Sharma has been a very supportive mentor.
- What has been the most gratifying aspect of your academic career?
I love all aspects of clinical neuroanesthesia. I feel competent and totally in control of even the most challenging cases (most of the time). The most gratifying part is that I have built a great “neuro team” with help from our neurosurgery chair Dr. Reid Thompson, the nursing leadership, and my anesthesia colleagues. We have a very busy neurosurgery service with seven to nine rooms running daily. I can be away from this cohesive group and confident the team will keep neuro running smoothly. That is a great feeling!
Another wonderful accomplishment was gaining support for a neuroanesthesia fellowship. I am so grateful to Dr. Jane Easdown for agreeing to be our Fellowship Director and for her work in obtaining final approval for the fellowship by Vanderbilt’s GME and ICPNT.
- What advice/story would you like to share with medical students, residents, fellows, and/or junior faculty choosing a career in neuroanesthesia?
The field of neuroscience has made so much progress in the last decade and presently is at the cusp of great innovations. As neuroanesthesia providers we can make a huge difference in our patients’ outcomes. Our clinicians, clinical scientists, and educators are key to that success. Neuroscience is a very exciting field and the future holds significant promise.
- What is your advice to women interested in pursuing work in this field?
Find a mentor early, even if it is outside your institution. SNACC is a great resource and I made most of my connections that helped me with my career through SNACC. I encourage women anesthesiologists to “be seen at these meetings” and seek out resources available to you. SNACC is a great organization that supports the pursuit and advancement of neuroscience research; women in leadership; and diversity.
