Stuart Bertsch, MD, appointed chair of Department of Anesthesiology at UC College of Medicine

"Dr. Bertsch is an exceptional leader who has already made profound contributions to our Department of Anesthesiology and the College of Medicine,” said Gregory C. Postel, MD, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes professor, executive vice president for health affairs at UC and chair of the UC Health Board of Directors. “His vision for advancing clinical care, fostering groundbreaking research and championing educational excellence is precisely what we need to guide the department into its next era of success. His unique blend of military experience, operational acumen and academic dedication makes him an ideal choice.”

Since joining the Department of Anesthesiology in 2013, Bertsch has been a vital member of the faculty at UC Medical Center, where he also serves as a staff anesthesiologist and contributes to the Perioperative Leadership Team, shaping the operative landscape for UC Health. He plays a pivotal role in coordinating services across UC Health's four operative sites, which include UC Medical Center, Holmes Hospital, West Chester Hospital and West Chester Surgical Center. Additionally, he oversees the management of the department's 15 non-OR anesthesia locations throughout the health system.

Bertsch earned his medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in 2009 before completing his residency training at the University of Louisville, where he distinguished himself as chief resident during his final year. His commitment to lifelong learning led him to pursue a Master of Business Administration from UC's Lindner College of Business in 2023.

Beyond his contributions to the Cincinnati community, Bertsch served honorably as a captain and major in the United States Air Force from 2013 to 2017. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in educating and ensuring deployment readiness at the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) at UC Medical Center. Bertsch's service extended to Afghanistan, where he served as a critical care air transport physician, leading multiple missions and earning numerous commendations before his honorable discharge. This experience instilled a deep commitment to simulation-based training, crew resource management and a team-based approach to education — principles he has actively integrated into the department’s programs.

Under Bertsch’s leadership, the Department of Anesthesiology has achieved remarkable growth and advancements, including a 30% increase in clinical workload, expanding from approximately 40,000 to 53,000 anesthetics annually across surgical and non-operative care settings. He successfully oversaw the development and implementation of eight new operating rooms at UC Medical Center, significantly expanding its physical footprint by 30%. His efforts also strengthened strategic partnerships, such as assuming clinical responsibilities for obstetrics care at the Fetal Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, Bertsch has spearheaded pioneering efforts in patient safety and perioperative outcomes through the development of clinical pathways and an anesthesia seminar in quality improvement, alongside the integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, with electronic medical records to streamline clinical workflows and improve patient outcomes.

The UC Department of Anesthesiology is renowned for its comprehensive services and robust educational programs across its many anesthetic sites, including the nationally recognized UC Medical Center. It provides extensive training through its Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved residency and fellowships, including vital pediatric anesthesia training at the highly-ranked Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The department also boasts a high-volume interventional pain program and actively pursues research dedicated to understanding and treating complex pain conditions.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to lead the Department of Anesthesiology as its permanent chair,” said Bertsch. “My vision is to build upon our strong foundation, positioning our department as a leading academic tertiary care center through a relentless focus on clinical excellence, cutting-edge research and educational innovation. We will continue to expand our research capabilities, leverage large datasets and foster an innovation hub that integrates new technologies and strengthens collaborations across the College of Medicine and UC Health.”

Bertsch is deeply passionate about education, coaching and fostering the professional development of staff to achieve optimal outcomes. His strategic priorities include addressing workforce development, managing growing clinical demand and patient complexity and fully integrating advancing technologies. He plans to foster clinical research, develop new opportunities for innovation and enhance faculty development and scholarly output through partnerships with other UC colleges, including the Lindner College of Business. Outside of his professional endeavors, he cherishes time spent at home with his wife, Carey Bertsch, MD, and their two children, Jackson and Hadley.

Bertsch’s strategic leadership is set to propel the Department of Anesthesiology to new heights of national prominence, expanding its pioneering research initiatives and further advancing its commitment to exceptional patient care and medical education. Learn more about the Department of Anesthesiology at https://med.uc.edu/depart/anesthesiology.

Featured image at top: CARE/Crawley building exterior on UC's medical campus.