Loma Linda University School of Medicine has selected Richard Applegate, MD, as chair of the Department of Anesthesiology effective July 1.
Applegate joins Loma Linda University Health from the University of California, Davis, where he served as professor and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.
He will lead a team of talented anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and support staff, and will work collaboratively with other departments and disciplines to provide the highest quality care to our patients. He will also oversee the education and training of our residents and fellows, and will play a key role in advancing our research programs.
“Dr. Applegate demonstrates significant commitment and expertise to medical education, research, and patient care that will benefit Loma Linda University Health and the School of Medicine,” said Tamara Thomas, MD, dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
His expertise in perioperative medicine, pain management, and patient safety has led to numerous publications and presentations at national and international meetings. He is committed to advancing the practice of anesthesiology through innovative research and education, and has been recognized for his excellence in teaching and mentorship.
Applegate earned his Doctor of Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1982. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1985, and a fellowship in Advanced Clinical Anesthesiology at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1986.
Applegate succeeds Robert Martin, MD, who served as chair of the department since 2004.
The position was approved in May by the Loma Linda University Health Board of Trustees.
About Loma Linda University School of Medicine:
“Since opening in 1909, Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine has been training skilled medical professionals with a commitment to Christian service. The school has always endeavored to combine the best medical science with caring, Christian compassion. Loma Linda students are trained in a context emphasizing the patient’s needs and preventive care to offset future disease.
Medical students spend the first two years studying a heavy science curriculum balanced by class work in human behavior, religion, and ethics. As juniors, students spend time in clinical rotations and instruction in family medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, and surgery. Seniors rotate through advanced training in medicine and surgery and finish their degree with four months of electives.
Loma Linda medical students have the unique opportunity to utilize their skills in human betterment. Most medical students participate in two very popular University programs: Social Action Community Health System and Students for International Mission Service. In each they help deliver medical care to lower-income people and others who have no access to basic medical care.”
About Richard Lee Applegate, M.D., F.A.S.A.:
Dr. Applegate strives to provide compassionate, safe, quality care to all patients. He believes that all patients deserve individualized, evidence-based, outstanding treatment to help patients attain their best functional outcome after surgery or other procedures requiring anesthesia.
Dr. Applegate is a general anesthesiologist who provides care to patients requiring various levels of sedation for a diverse selection of procedures.
Dr. Applegate’s research focuses on improving patient outcomes after surgery. He focuses on applications and development of monitoring as a way to guide optimum management. He also has interest in mitigating the impact of traumatic, ischemic, hypoxic and surgical brain injuries.