Dr. Alex Macario, MD, MBA

Alex Macario, MD, MBA is an anesthesiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California and a leading figure in perioperative systems, operating room management and medical education. He is appointed as Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine and Vice Chair for Education.

His principal interests are operating room management and efficiency, economics, quality and outcomes of surgical and anesthesia care and graduate medical education and competency assessment.

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who manages anaesthesia and the physiological care of patients around surgery. The subspecialty work of Dr. Alex Macario lies in perioperative systems, operating room management and medical education.

Essential Details For Dr. Alex Macario

• Full Name And Credentials: Alex Macario, MD, MBA
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Perioperative systems, operating room management and medical education
• Current Position: Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine and Vice Chair for Education
• Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
• Location: Stanford, California

Dr. Alex Macario Medical Education And Training

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

• Undergraduate: BA in sociology, University of Rochester, 1986
• Medical Degree: MD, University of Rochester
• Business Degree: MBA in health economics, University of Rochester, 1988
• Residency: Anesthesiology, Stanford University, completed 1994, serving as chief resident
• Fellowship: Postgraduate fellowship in health services research, Stanford University, 1995
• Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, 1995

Areas Of Practice For Dr. Alex Macario

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

• Operating room management and efficiency
• Economics, quality and outcomes of surgical and anesthesia care
• Graduate medical education and competency assessment
• Perioperative services leadership
• Curriculum development in anesthesiology

Dr. Alex Macario Current And Past Appointments

• Vice Chair for Education, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford, since 2006
• Professor by courtesy of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University
• Program Director of the Stanford Anesthesiology Residency from 2006 to 2023
• Founding Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology Residency and founding Associate Program Director of the Combined Pediatrics and Anesthesiology Residency
• Program Director, Fellowship in the Management of Perioperative Services, since 1996
• Secretary and Director, American Board of Anesthesiology
• Member, Anesthesiology Residency Review Committee, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
• Founder and former Director, Stanford Anesthesia Faculty Teaching Scholars Program

Honours Received By Dr. Alex Macario

• Excellence in Education Award, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2018, awarded to one recipient nationally each year
• Inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Medical Education as Program Director Award, Stanford University, 2015
• Faculty Mentor Award, American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Professional Diversity, 2012 and 2013
• Widely cited for research on the cost and efficiency of operating room time

Hospital And Institutional Affiliation Of Dr. Alex Macario

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, California. 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 Systems

Operating room and perioperative management applies operational science to surgical care: how theatre lists are scheduled, how staff and equipment are allocated and what a minute of theatre time actually costs. Done well, this work shortens waiting times and reduces cancellations without asking clinicians to work less safely.

Specialists With Expertise Comparable To Dr. Alex Macario

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

• Dr. Franklin Dexter, operating room management at University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
• Dr. Richard Urman, perioperative systems at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine
• Dr. Andrea Kurz, perioperative outcomes research at Medical University of Graz
• Dr. Bernd Saugel, haemodynamic monitoring at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

How Patients Reach Dr. Alex Macario

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.

Questions Patients Ask About Dr. Alex Macario

Where did Dr. Alex Macario go to medical school?

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

What are the qualifications of Dr. Alex Macario?

Alex Macario, MD, MBA. Specialist training in Anesthesiology, Stanford University, completed 1994, serving as chief resident. American Board of Anesthesiology, 1995.

Is Dr. Alex Macario board certified?

American Board of Anesthesiology, 1995. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Alex Macario hold?

Dr. Alex Macario is Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine and Vice Chair for Education, based at Stanford University School of Medicine.

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 systems?

Perioperative Systems is the area of anesthesiology concerned with perioperative systems, operating room management and medical education. Clinicians working in this area, including Dr. Alex Macario, aim to make surgery and recovery safer and more comfortable.

References Supporting This Dr. Alex Macario Profile

• Stanford Medicine faculty profile
• American Board of Anesthesiology board of directors
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Excellence in Education Award

Review Status Of This Dr. Alex Macario Profile

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.

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. Alex Macario

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Stanford University School of Medicine.