April 29, 2026 By Hannah Fairbanks Marla Ferschl, MD is the Executive Vice Chair for Pediatric Anesthesia; Chief of Pediatric Anesthesia at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay; and Clinical Professor of Anesthesia in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care.The day begins at UCSF’s Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay at 6:30 a.m. Dr. Ferschl prepares and then hosts the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care Grand Rounds from 7 to 8 a.m., bringing together more than 100 colleagues for a mix of virtual and in-person learning. A guest speaker joins via Zoom, while two Fellows present live—an immediate reminder that education is woven into the rhythm of the department. Image 6:31 a.m. – Dr. Ferschl prepares to moderate Grand Rounds. Image 7:10 a.m. – Opening remarks and introduction to Grand Rounds.By 8 a.m., the clinical day is underway. Because she is on second call, Dr. Ferschl knows her schedule won’t end when the clock hits 5 p.m. She is assigned to two operating rooms, balancing a full slate of planned cases with the possibility of add-ons later in the evening.In one room, a complex liver resection for a two-year-old patient will take most of the day. A pediatric anesthesia fellow and former UCSF resident, Dr. Alice Campton, is assigned to the case, with Dr. Ferschl overseeing as her attending–checking in frequently, offering guidance, and sharing teaching points throughout the day. In the other room, three pediatric dental procedures require general anesthesia. Christopher Shors, CRNA, manages each case, while Dr. Ferschl meets with families beforehand, explaining the anesthesia plan and providing reassurance. She is present at critical moments–intubation and extubation–ensuring each child’s safety from start to finish. Image 8:43 a.m. – Prepping first dental procedure patient. From left to right; Dr. Studenmund, Dr. Ferschl, Roann Tracey, RN, Christopher Shors, CRNA.Throughout the day, Dr. Ferschl also works with a non-anesthesia learner, Dr. Connell Studenmund, a neonatology fellow on her required pediatric anesthesia rotation, helping guide hands-on learning in real time. The pace is steady, almost constantly consulting with families, moving between rooms, checking on patients and colleagues, and staying ready for whatever comes next. Image 11:02 a.m. – A quick stop in her office between cases to check email and return calls. Throughout the day, Dr. Ferschl plays phone tag with a parent, working to connect and answer questions about their child’s upcoming anesthesia care.Physicians, nurses, CRNAs, trainees, and surgical teams move in sync, supported by a complex network of equipment and expertise. At every turn, education and mentorship are embedded in the work, whether in a morning presentation or a moment of guidance in the operating room. Image 1:33 p.m. – Conferring with Christopher Shors, CRNA between cases. Image 2:30 p.m. – Reviewing the daily OR board with Dr. Amy Zhang, the E1 coordinating assignments for the day, while Dr. Denise Chang works in the background. Located in the shared anesthesiology workspace/office–nicknamed “The Bunker”–this board tracks every room and provider, helping ensure each case is fully staffed and running smoothly. Image 2:32 p.m. – A brief stop at the OR Pharmacy, which is conveniently located on the same floor as the operating and procedure rooms. Post-operative pain management for the liver patient is complicated by abnormal lab values, prompting Dr. Ferschl to consult with colleagues and the surgeon to determine the best course of care. The moment highlights the constant communication across the team, much of it happening in real time via text. Image 3:57 p.m. – Consulting with the surgeon Dr. Amar Nijagal, (R) and Dr. Campton (L) after transferring the liver patient to the PICU. This moment is part of the post-surgery handoff, ensuring a smooth transition of care to the PICU team via a standardized handoff process. Image 4:41 p.m. – Preparing for the first add-on case of the day, Dr. Ferschl meets with a new trainee to review the plan before speaking with the patient and family, continuing a steady rhythm of teaching and care that carries through the evening. It’s a day defined by constant motion, coordination, and care–where teamwork is as essential as the anesthesia itself.Dr. Ferschl completes two more add-on cases, bringing the last patient from the operating room to the intensive care unit at 9:30 p.m. Then it’s time to head home, where she prepares to fly out to attend the Society of Pediatric Anesthesia - American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Anesthesiology 2026 meeting in Denver, Colorado the next morning.Photography credit: Mike Mullen
