Medical students present complex cases at national anesthesiology meeting

Noel Godang, Katharine Lightfoot and Chase Smith

Three Whiddon College of Medicine students presented complex cases at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting held Oct. 16-20 in San Diego. 

Noel Godang and Katharine Lightfoot, both third-year medical students, and fourth-year medical student Chase Smith shared cases that highlighted the critical thinking and teamwork essential in the field of anesthesiology. They collaborated with USA Health anesthesiologist Karthik Swamy, M.D., on the presentations.

“One highlight for me was attending several seminars and hands-on demos, where I saw new airway management devices, ultrasound-guided nerve block techniques, and new monitoring technologies that may become part of the standard of care in the future,” Godang said.

“I found it exciting to meet anesthesiologists from across the country and internationally to see, firsthand, how the field is constantly evolving,” Godang added. “It was a uniquely rewarding experience presenting at the ASA conference because it gave me a chance to learn from experts, which really helped me grow both academically and professionally.”

“ASA was a wonderful experience!” Lightfoot said. “I was thankful to have the opportunity to present an important case and learn from many other presenters, faculty, residents and students. There was an incredible amount of programming that helped us tailor our learning to things that most interested us as well as education surrounding things like residency programs and the Match process.” 

Lightfoot expressed her appreciation to the Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Anesthesiology for their support and mentorship. 

“Presenting our medically challenging case at ASA 2025 was an incredible learning experience,” Smith said. “It allowed me to engage with experts in anesthesia, gaining valuable feedback in managing intraoperative crises. I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss our case with colleagues and learn from the presentations of others.” 

Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 59,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future.