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Thomas F. Rahlfs, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Department Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1981 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, MD
1977 Duke University, Durham, NC, BSE, Magna Cum Laude, Biomedical Engineering Magna Cum Laude

Postgraduate Training

3/2004-6/2005 Certificate in Business Management Course, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Houston, TX
3/2003-3/2004 5 Element Acupuncture, Acupuncture, The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, Inc., Santa Monica, CA
3/2000-5/2001 Course in Medical Acupuncture (300 hours), Acupuncture, Helms Medical Acupuncture Institute/UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
7/1982-6/1984 Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
6/1981-6/1982 Clinical Internship, Flexible, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Board Certifications

10/2002 ABA Recertification
5/2002 American Board of Anesthesiology

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 11/1986-1/1992

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Officer of the Day, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2010-present
Billing and Compliance, Medical Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2005-present
Capital Equipment Committee, Chairman, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2002-12/2010
Medical Director, Operating Room, Division of Surgery, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/1998-9/1999
Deputy Division Head, Deputy Division Head ad interim, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/1998-9/1999
Deputy Department Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/1996-9/2002
Clinical Medical Director, Department of Anesthesiology,, Operating Room, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 4/1993-5/2000
Equipment & Technology Committee, Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Division of Surgery, U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 4/1993-9/1996
Medical Board Member-at-large, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX, 1/1988-1/1989

Honors and Awards

2005-2008 Listed in 'America's Best Doctors'
1995 “Department of the Year Award” to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, MDACC Procurement Services
1990 “Golden Apple Award” for excellence in teaching, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine

Professional Memberships

American Board of Anesthesiology
Associate Examiner, Junior Examiner Status, 10/2007-10/2011
American Board of Anesthesiology
Associate Examiner, Junior Examiner Status, 10/2004-10/2007
American Board of Anesthesiology
Provisional Examiner, 10/2002-10/2004
American Board of Anesthesiology
New Examiner, 10/2001-10/2002
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Member, Anesthesia Care Team Committee, 2009-2013
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Liaison to the ASATT, 2009-2012
Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors
Member, Board of Directors, 1/1996-1/1998
Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors
Treasurer, 1/1994-1/1996
Harris County Medical Society
Member, 12/2007-present
Harris County Medical Society
Member, 1/1997-1/2002
Texas Society of Anesthesiologists
Alternate Delegate, House of Delegates, 1/1999-1/2002
Texas Society of Anesthesiologists
Delegate, House of Delegates, 1992-2008

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Rahlfs T, Purugganan R, McMillian L;. The Role of the Anesthesiologists in Resource Management. Advances in Anesthesia 25, 2007.
2. Albo D, Wayne JD, Hunt KK, Rahlfs TF, Singletary SE, Ames FC, Feig BW, Ross MI, Kuerer HM. Anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer. Am J Surg 182(4):393-8, 10/2001. PMID: 11720678.
3. Rahlfs TF, Jones RL. Risks and outcomes in oncology patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Int Anesthesiol Clin 36(3):141-9, 1998. PMID: 10812422.
4. Rahlfs TF, Jones RL. Risks and Outcomes in Oncology Patients Undergoing Anesthesia and Surgery. The Cancer Bulletin 47(1):78-82., 1995.

Abstracts
1. Rahlfs TF, Ferson DZ, Law BK, Gokaslan Z, Arens JF. Pulse Oximeter Malfunction Caused by the Use of the StealthStation System During Neurosurgery. Presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 10/2002.
2. Rahlfs TF, Ferson DZ, Law BK, Gokaslan Z, Arens JF. Pulse Oximeter Malfunction Caused by the Use of the StealthStation System During Neurosurgery. Anesthesiology 96:A597, 2002.
3. Rahlfs TF. A Relative Value Guide for Evaluating Anesthesia Faculty. Presented at the Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors annual meeting, Dallas, TX, 10/1999.
4. Rahlfs TF. A Relative Value Guide for Evaluating Anesthesia Faculty. J Clin Anesth, 1999.
5. Ferson DZ, Supkis DE, Rahlfs TF. Evaluation of the Intubating LMA as a Primary Airway Device and a Guide for Blind Intubation. Anesthesiology 87(3):A485, 1997.
6. Rahlfs TF, Heckendorn D, Smith CA, Jones RL. Materials Usage Coefficients: A Method for Defining and Monitoring the Efficiency of Materials Utilization. Presented at the Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors annual meeting, Atlanta, GA, 10/1995.
7. Rahlfs TF, Heckendorn D, Smith CA, Jones RL. Materials Usage Coefficients: A Method for Defining and Monitoring the Efficiency of Materials Utilization. J Clin Anesth, 1995.
8. Rahlfs TF. Rapid Autotransfusion in the Trauma Surgery Environment. Presented at the Autotransfusion Symposium by Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Houston, Texas, 11/1985.
9. Rahlfs TF. Bedside Evaluation of the Morbidly Obese Patient for Cesarean Section. Presented at the Ninth Annual Gulf/Atlantic Coast Residents’ Conference, Gainesville, FL, 5/1984.

Book Chapters
1. Ferson DZ, Rahlfs TF. Laryngeal Mask Airway: Its Impact on Airway Management. In: Problems in Anesthesia. 13. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 23-29, 2001.
2. Albright GA, Ferguson JE, Joyce TH, Rahlfs TF, Stevenson DK. Obstetric Shock, Pulmonary Disorders, Hemorrhage and Postpartum Intensive Care. In: Anesthesia in Obstetrics-Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Aspects. Butterworth, 1986.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Acupuncture to Prevent Postoperative Paralytic ileus
Funding Source: NIH/NCCAM
Role: Collaborator
Principal Investigator: Joseph Chiang, MD
Duration: 6/15/2003 - 2/28/2005

Last updated: 1/2/2013