Dr. Daniel I. Sessler, MD

Daniel I. Sessler, MD is an anesthesiologist at UTHealth Houston in Houston, Texas, where the focus of his work is perioperative outcomes research, thermoregulation and clinical trials. The current appointment of Dr. Daniel Sessler is Vice President for Clinical and Outcomes Research and Tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Biostatistics.

He was previously Michael J. Cudahy Professor and Chair of the Department of Outcomes Research at Cleveland Clinic, where he now holds emeritus staff status. Recognition for this work includes the Fulbright Fellowship.

An anesthesiologist is a fully qualified doctor responsible for anaesthesia, pain control and the monitoring of breathing, circulation and consciousness around an operation. Dr. Daniel Sessler works within the field of perioperative outcomes research, thermoregulation and clinical trials.

Key Facts About Dr. Daniel Sessler

• Full Name And Credentials: Daniel I. Sessler, MD
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Perioperative outcomes research, thermoregulation and clinical trials
• Current Position: Vice President for Clinical and Outcomes Research and Tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Biostatistics
• Institution: UTHealth Houston
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Previous Appointments: Previously Michael J. Cudahy Professor and Chair of the Department of Outcomes Research at Cleveland Clinic, where he now holds emeritus staff status

Dr. Daniel Sessler Degrees, Residency And Fellowships

The training record below is drawn from the institutional and society sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: MD, Columbia University
• Residency: Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles
• Residency: Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles
• Habilitation and Senior Fellowship: Senior International Fellow, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, since 2011

Areas Of Practice For Dr. Daniel Sessler

Published professional sources describe the clinical and academic work of Dr. Daniel Sessler as centred on:

• Perioperative temperature regulation and hypothermia
• Postoperative pain and opioid-sparing strategies
• Large multi-centre perioperative outcome trials
• Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery
• Surgical site infection prevention

Academic Leadership Of Dr. Daniel Sessler

• Vice President for Clinical and Outcomes Research, UTHealth Houston, since 2024
• Tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Biostatistics, UTHealth Houston
• Founder and Director of the Outcomes Research Consortium, the largest clinical anesthesia research group in the world
• Founder and former Chair, Department of Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, 2005 to 2023
• Emeritus Staff, Cleveland Clinic
• Senior International Fellow, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University
• Editor of Anesthesiology for nine years
• Former Director, Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research

Dr. Daniel Sessler Honours And Scholarly Impact

• Fulbright Fellowship
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Excellence in Research Award, 2002
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Described as the most published and most cited anesthesiologist in the world, with more than 1,000 peer-reviewed papers and an h-index of about 120
• Principal or co-investigator on grants totalling more than 100 million dollars

Practice Setting For Dr. Daniel Sessler

UTHealth Houston

Houston, Texas. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its departments and preoperative services. Confirm the current street address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

Understanding Perioperative Outcomes Research

Perioperative medicine looks at the whole surgical journey rather than the hours in theatre alone, from preparing a patient beforehand to recovery weeks later. Large randomised trials in this field test which drugs, fluids, temperatures and blood pressure targets genuinely improve survival and recovery. Findings from this work shape routine practice in hospitals worldwide.

Related Perioperative Outcomes Research Specialists

If you are comparing specialists, these anesthesiologists work in closely related areas:

• Dr. Duminda Wijeysundera, perioperative medicine at University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
• Dr. Kate Leslie, perioperative medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne
• Dr. Michael Avidan, perioperative outcomes research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Dr. Monty Mythen, perioperative medicine at University College London

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Arranging A Consultation With Dr. Daniel Sessler

Anesthesiologists are usually brought into a patient’s care by a surgeon, a hospital preoperative clinic or a pain service rather than through direct booking. Insurance participation varies by hospital and by plan, and it changes over time. Check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling, and ask whether the named anesthesiologist will personally be involved in your care.

Patient Questions About Dr. Daniel Sessler Answered

Where does Dr. Daniel Sessler practise?

Dr. Daniel Sessler is based at UTHealth Houston in Houston, Texas.

Where did Dr. Daniel Sessler go to medical school?

MD, Columbia University. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Daniel Sessler?

Daniel I. Sessler, MD. Specialist training in Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles. Full credentials are listed above.

What position does Dr. Daniel Sessler hold?

Dr. Daniel Sessler is Vice President for Clinical and Outcomes Research and Tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Biostatistics, based at UTHealth Houston.

What does an anesthesiologist do?

An anesthesiologist is a physician who plans and manages anaesthesia and pain control, and who monitors breathing, heart function, circulation and comfort during surgery and recovery. The role also covers preoperative assessment and critical care.

What is perioperative outcomes research?

Perioperative Outcomes Research is the area of anesthesiology concerned with perioperative outcomes research, thermoregulation and clinical trials. Clinicians working in this area, including Dr. Daniel Sessler, aim to make surgery and recovery safer and more comfortable.

Primary Sources For The Dr. Daniel Sessler Profile

• Outcomes Research Consortium director profile
• Cleveland Clinic staff profile
• UTHealth Houston Department of Anesthesiology

How This Profile Of Dr. Daniel Sessler Was Compiled

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including institutional faculty pages, hospital provider directories and specialty society records. Credentials, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Previously Michael J. Cudahy Professor and Chair of the Department of Outcomes Research at Cleveland Clinic, where he now holds emeritus staff status.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

How To Use The Information About Dr. Daniel Sessler

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with UTHealth Houston.