Dr. Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA

Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA is an anesthesiologist affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, specialising in perioperative outcomes, anesthetic depth and postoperative delirium. Dr. Michael Avidan holds the post of Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and Head of the Department of Anesthesiology.

Particular areas of attention include intraoperative awareness and depth of anesthesia monitoring, postoperative delirium prevention in older patients and large pragmatic perioperative clinical trials. Recognition for this work includes the Goldstein Leadership Award in Medical Student Education, 2007.

Physician anesthesiologists plan and deliver anaesthesia, manage pain and monitor vital functions throughout surgery and recovery. Dr. Michael Avidan contributes to this specialty through perioperative outcomes, anesthetic depth and postoperative delirium.

Dr. Michael Avidan Profile Summary

• Full Name And Credentials: Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Perioperative outcomes, anesthetic depth and postoperative delirium
• Current Position: Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and Head of the Department of Anesthesiology
• Institution: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Dr. Michael Avidan Medical Education And Training

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

• Medical Degree: MBBCh, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1991
• Residency: Anesthesiology, completed 1994, with a Diploma in Anaesthesia from the South African College of Medicine
• Specialist Certification: Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa in anesthesiology and intensive care, University of the Witwatersrand, 1996
• Further Training: Diploma in Anaesthesia, King’s College Hospital, United Kingdom, 2000
• Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology

Clinical And Research Interests Of Dr. Michael Avidan

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

• Intraoperative awareness and depth of anesthesia monitoring
• Postoperative delirium prevention in older patients
• Large pragmatic perioperative clinical trials
• Anesthesia and long-term cognitive outcomes
• Critical care and perioperative medicine

Positions And Editorial Roles Of Dr. Michael Avidan

• Head and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, since July 2019
• Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Professor of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Washington University
• Faculty member of the department since 1999
• President, Association of University Anesthesiologists
• Trustee, International Anesthesia Research Society
• Founding contributor to the Early Stage Anesthesiology Scholars group

Dr. Michael Avidan Honours And Scholarly Impact

• Elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honours in American health and medicine
• Goldstein Leadership Award in Medical Student Education, 2007
• Principal investigator on multiple large multicentre randomised perioperative trials

Practice Location And Affiliation Of Dr. Michael Avidan

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital

St. Louis, Missouri. 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.

Perioperative Outcomes Research Explained

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.

Specialists With Expertise Comparable To Dr. Michael Avidan

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

• Dr. Monty Mythen, perioperative medicine at University College London
• Dr. Paul Myles, perioperative medicine at Alfred Hospital and Monash University
• Dr. Tong Joo Gan, enhanced recovery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Dr. Andrea Kurz, perioperative outcomes research at Medical University of Graz

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Referrals, Appointments And Coverage For Dr. Michael Avidan

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.

Dr. Michael Avidan Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Dr. Michael Avidan go to medical school?

MBBCh, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1991. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Michael Avidan?

Michael S. Avidan, MBBCh, FCA SA. Specialist training in Anesthesiology, completed 1994, with a Diploma in Anaesthesia from the South African College of Medicine. Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa in anesthesiology and intensive care, University of the Witwatersrand, 1996.

Is Dr. Michael Avidan board certified?

Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa in anesthesiology and intensive care, University of the Witwatersrand, 1996. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Michael Avidan hold?

Dr. Michael Avidan is Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and Head of the Department of Anesthesiology, based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

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, anesthetic depth and postoperative delirium. Clinicians working in this area, including Dr. Michael Avidan, aim to make surgery and recovery safer and more comfortable.

Sources Used For This Profile Of Dr. Michael Avidan

• Washington University Department of Anesthesiology faculty profile
• Washington University Physicians directory
• National Academy of Medicine membership announcement

Profile Verification And Review Date For Dr. Michael Avidan

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. Michael Avidan

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.