Officers

President: Michal Gajewski, DO, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Michal Gajewski, DO, completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Art in Art History Criticism from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. He then achieved a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine followed by Residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, NY. Lastly, Dr. Gajewski completed a Fellowship in Critical Care at Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.

Dr. Gajewski is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, as well as the National Board of Echocardiography. He is also an active member of the Patient Safety Advocates of New Mexico. He practices in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he works as an anesthesiologist and an intensivist. Dr. Gajewski has published many peer reviewed publications and has completed clinical research. He is fluent in Polish and is knowledgeable in Spanish. When he is not working he enjoys spending as much time as possible travelling, learning about other cultures, and being surrounded by nature. 

President-Elect: Natalie Bruno, MD, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Secretary-Treasurer: Sally Vender, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Vender is a congenital cardiac anesthesiologist at Presbyterian hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed her anesthesiology residency and pediatric anesthesia fellowship there, too. After graduating, she was privileged to serve as an attending physician where she loved working with residents and fellows. She was afforded the opportunity to obtain advanced clinical training in congenital cardiac anesthesia at Stanford.

When not sending kids to outer space with flavored astronaut masks, she enjoys spending time with her own kiddos (and sometimes wishes she could anesthetize them) and attempting to ride mountain bikes with her husband. She is grateful to able to practice medicine in New Mexico.

ASA District Director New Mexico: Ruth Burstrom, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Burstrom graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin, completed her anesthesiology residency at Hartford Hospital followed by a two year geriatric anesthesia fellowship at the University of Washington.  Moving to work at the Albuquerque VA hospital in 1995 where she practiced until transferring to work at UNMH.  She has been on multiple local & departmental medical committees as well as serving on the ASA’s Geriatric Committee, Geriatric Track Education sub-committee, Credentialing Committee as well as Reference Committees.  She has also been a long serving delegate and Alternate Director from New Mexico, as well as being New Mexico’s ASA PAC representative. She remains active with lectures to residents including trauma, geriatrics and GU surgeries.  When she’s not keeping up with ASA and political issues you might find her out gardening or birding.

ASA Alternate Director: Radhika Grandhe, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

ASA Delegate: Pramod Pannikkath, M.D., MHA, Albuquerque, New Mexico

ASA Delegate: Jeffrey Trujillo, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Jeffrey Trujillo, MD completed residency at the University of Mexico (UNM) and is currently employed with Anesthesia Associates of New Mexico. He is a native New Mexican, attending UNM for his undergraduate and medical education. He began his residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later transferred back to his home program at UNM to complete his residency training in Anesthesiology.

Outside of working in Anesthesiology, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors, traveling, and playing golf. Dr. Trujillo is grateful to be able to practice Anesthesiology in his native state and looks forward to beginning of this rewarding career.

Alternate Delegate: Austin Oetken, M.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dr. Oetken received a B.S. degree (2009) from Baylor University. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree (2013) from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Following his MD degree he completed a 2-year anesthesiology residency at the Brooke Army Medical Center, as well as a 2-year anesthesiology residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Alternate Delegate: Jared Fuller, D.O., Farmington, New Mexico