Former Chief of Cardiac Anesthesia and Pioneer of TEE, Michael Cahalan, MD, Has Passed Away

March 14, 2019 | By Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care

It is with great sadness that we report that Dr. Michael Cahalan has passed away, after battling AML for several months.

Dr. Cahalan was a long-time member of the UCSF Anesthesia and Perioperative Care Department, starting in residency (he was the chief resident, Class of 1978), followed by a fellowship with Ted Eger (1978-1979) and then joining the faculty (1979). He was Chief of Cardiac Anesthesia at UCSF for 22 years, and was the 1985 recipient of the William K. Hamilton Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was a giant in our specialty, performing the first perioperative TEE while Chief of Cardiac Anesthesia at UCSF (read more below). He then went on to a highly successful career as Chair of Anesthesia at the University of Utah, serving in this role for 15 years, until his death.

He had a great impact on many careers, including that of UCSF Anesthesia Chair Michael Gropper. Those that knew him will remember his deep commitment to his patients, our specialty, the trainees, his colleagues, and especially his wife Marianne. He had a quick wit and warm personality, always taking the time to support all that he met. He will be greatly missed.

Read the full rememberance.