Alumni stories

Jeanine Wiener-Kronish, MD 

After 12 years of being Chair of the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain, at Massachusetts General Hospital, I transitioned back into a clinician performing preoperative assessments, including assessments of high-risk geriatric patients. I also try to help with some research projects with faculty and residents. We are completing a pilot grant evaluating the value of a pre-hab month for esophageal cancer patients where we do a very objective assessment of frailty, muscle mass, and nutrition during their chemotherapy and radiation sessions. In the month after completion of their chemotherapy and radiation, we work to improve their nutrition and to improve their functional status. The goal is to evaluate several outcomes, including length of stay, functional status, some unique muscle biomarkers and to hopefully expand the pilot and consider other oncologic patient groups. I did a project on some of the complications of SGLT-2 inhibitors and we are evaluating whether stopping them in heart failure patients is necessary and the complications of stopping them. 

I have also been active in national organizations, trying to help get more mentoring programs for young faculty and residents. Probably what the residents will remember most about me is that I bring “healthy” snacks to the preop clinic and I offer exercise classes to encourage continued exercise during their training. I am grateful to have been a student at UCSF, to have worked at UCSF for more than 30 years, to have friends and colleagues at UCSF.  I was so lucky to have gone there!  I learned to be generous and kind and to try and help offer opportunities to a diverse population of students. 

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