Philip Greilich, M.D., M.Sc.: 30 Years
Professor
Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Management
First UTSW job: I was initially hired as the inaugural Chief of the Anesthesiology & Pain Management Service for the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS).
Best part about my job: My favorite aspects are helping patients and their families deal with the uncertainty of the perioperative period and working on high-functioning, interprofessional teams. Outside of the operating room, I’ve enjoyed building innovative clinical, educational, and research programs locally and nationally.
How co-workers describe me: I can’t say for sure, but if I were to guess, I’d say, “always on the move.”
Funniest UTSW memory: One of the blood conservation clinical trials we performed at the VA involved the use of a bovine (cow) hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (blood substitute) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Upon emergence from anesthesia, one of our veteran study subjects asked if he’d received “cow blood.” To ensure the study remained blinded, we simply responded, “What do you think?” His response was a long, low-pitched “moooooo!”
My proudest UTSW accomplishment: Establishment of the VANTHCS Anesthesiology & Pain Management Service, which was a Section of Surgical Services prior to my arrival. It was a time of extraordinary growth in our clinical, educational, and research programs at the VA. It included several UTSW Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Management firsts, such as a Preoperative Surgical Testing Clinic, Intraoperative Echocardiography Program, and a high-volume Interventional Pain program.
I’m really good at: Putting a positive spin on a not-so-positive situation.
Hobbies: I love anything that has to do with water, being in or near it. My current fantasy is to be a “senior” competitive swimmer.
Surprising fact: It’s that I have a very silly, playful side to my personality.
Final note: As the son of a World War II military officer, a graduate of Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets, and a U.S. Army veteran, I’m particularly grateful for being given leadership opportunities to develop innovative programs in clinical operations, translational research, and education focusing on evidence-based care over my 30 years at UT Southwestern.