Kenneth J. Sapire, M.D.
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor (Joint appointment), Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine, Adjunct Faculty Member at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, UT Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
Medical Director (Anesthesia) Perioperative Information Technology, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Adjunct Faculty Member at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, UT Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1982 | University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, ZA, Medicine/Surgery, MBChB |
Postgraduate Training
| 1988-1991 | Anesthesiology Residency, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York |
| 1985-1988 | Pediatric Internship and Resident, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York |
| 1984-1984 | Senior House Office, University of Cape town Medical School, Cape Town |
| 1983-1983 | Clinical Internship, General Medicine/Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Capetown, Cape Town |
Board Certifications
| 1992 | American Board of Anesthesiology, Diplomate |
| 1989 | American Board of Pediatrics |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2009
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1993 - 1998
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Medical Director (Anesthesia) Perioperative Information Technology, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - Present
Chief of Anesthesia Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 1992 - 1998
Director Cardiovascular Anesthesia, The Houston Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 1992 - 1998
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, American Society of Anesthesiologists Advisory Group on Wellness, Park Ridge, IL, 2017 - Present
UT System Office of Health Affairs Professionalism Scholar, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2016
Member, American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Physician Wellness Committee on Occupational Health, Park Ridge, IL, 2012 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
member, Clinical Ethics Consultation Committee, 2023 - Present
Member, Consent Digital Development Group, 2015 - Present
Physician Lead, Malignant Hyperthermia Task Force, 2015 - Present
Pharmacy / Anesthesia Liaison Physician Lead, Perioperative Informatics Committee, 2015 - Present
Member, Pregnancy Testing Policy Workgroup Committee, 2011 - 2012
Member, EMR Order Sets Resolution Team Meeting, 2011 - 2013
Member, Electronic Protocol Accrual Auditing Committee (ePAAC), 2011 - 2013
Member, Ethics and Compliance in Oncology Research (ECOR) Conference Advisory Board, 2011 - 2013
Chairman, Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Health Services Research Committee (PBHSRC), 2010 - 2012
Member, Clinical Faculty Review Committee (CFRC), 2009 - 2012
Member, Team on ReWriting ICU Orders, 2009 - 2009
Member, Committee to Investigate Rewriting of Orders, 2009 - 2010
Member, Preoperative Assessment Process Session, 2009 - 2009
Member, PICIS On-Site (Process Review), 2009 - 2015
PICIS Expert, PICIS 8.2 TPA Upgrade, 2009 - 2015
Member, CCMS Adhoc Group - Medical Staff Policy for the Award of Clinical Privileges, 2008 - 2009
Member, DNR Order Set Automation Meeting, 2008 - 2009
Department Representative, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff (CCMS), 2008 - 2011
Member, Perioperative Information Delivery Project (PICIS Applications), 2008 - 2009
Member, 2009 End of Life (EOL) Conference Planning Committee, 2008 - 2009
Member, Institutional Policy for Site Marking and Time-out, 2008 - 2009
LEAP Member, Pharmacy Workflow, 2008 - Present
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Health Services Research Committee (PBHSRC), 2007 - 2010
Member, Faculty Health Committee, 2007 - Present
Member, Clinical Ethics Subcommittee, 2001 - 2004
Member, Faculty Senate, 2000 - 2002
Chairman, Clinical Competence Committee, 1995 - 1998
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Certificate Excellence in Safety, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2017 | President's Recognition for Faculty Excellence in One Connect Leadership, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2016 | President's Recognition of Faculty Excellence Award, MD Anderson |
| 2013 | 2013 Electronic Protocol Accrual Auditing Committee |
| 1998 | Special Contribution Award, Veterans Affairs Medical Center |
| 1993 | Directors Award for Professional Leadership, Veterans Affairs Medical Center |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Frenkel M, David A, Sapire KJ, Hausner D. Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer. Current Oncology Reports. e-Pub 2023.
- Frenkel M, Sapire KJ. Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Hematologic Malignancies: Questions and Challenges. Curr Oncol Rep 19(79), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Frenkel M, Engebretson JC, Gross S, Peterson NE, Giveon AP, Sapire K, Hermoni D. Exceptional Patients and Communication in Cancer Care - Are We Missing Another Survival Factor?. Support Care Cancer 24(10):4249-4255, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27169701.
- Li Y, Adamek P, Zhang H, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Mrozkova P, Li Q, Kosturakis AK, Cassidy RM, Harrison DS, Cata JP, Sapire K, Zhang H, Kennamer-Chapman RM, Jawad AB, Ghetti A, Yan J, Palecek J, Dougherty PM. The Cancer Chemotherapeutic Paclitaxel Increases Human and Rodent Sensory Neuron Responses to TRPV1 by Activation of TLR4. J Neurosci 35(39):13487-500, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26424893.
- Holden MD, Buck E, Luk J, Ambriz F, Boisaubin EV, Clark MA, Mihalic AP, Sadler JZ, Sapire KJ, Spike JP, Vince A, Dalrymple JL. Professional Identity Formation: Creating a Longitudinal Framework Through TIME(Transformation in Medical Education). Acad Med 90(6):761-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25853688.
- Frenkel M, Gross S, Giveon AP, Sapire KJ, Hermoni D. Living Outliers: Experiences, Insights and Narratives of Exceptional Survival of Incurable Cancer. Future Oncology 11(12):1741-1749, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Frenkel M, Sierpina V, Sapire K. Effects of Complementary and Integrative Medicine on Cancer Survivorship. Curr Oncol Rep 17(5):445, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25749658.
- Study Group TPVL. Risk Factors Associated with Ischemic Optic Neuropathy after Spinal Fusion Surgery. Anesthesiology 116(1):15-24, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Sapire KJ, Frenkel M. Physician Discussion Group: A way to explore Meaning in Medicine Addressing Physicians Needs in a Cancer Center. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology 6(4):179, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Ferson D, Thakar D, Swafford J, Sinha A, Sapire KJ, Arens J. Use of Deep Intravenous Sedation with Propofol and the Laryngeal Mask Airway during Transesophageal Echocardiography. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 17(4):443-6, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12968230.
- Jones JW, Schmidt SE, Richman BW, Miller CC, Sapire KJ, Burkhoff D, Baldwin JC. Holmium:YAG Laser Transmyocardial Revascularization Relieves Angina and Improves Functional Status. Ann Thorac Surg 67(6):1596-1601; discussion 1601-2, 1999. e-Pub 1999. PMID: 10391261.
- Sapire KJ, Gopinath SP, Farhat G, Thakar DR, Gabrielli A, Jones JW, Robertson CS, Chance B. Cerebral Oxygenation during Warming After Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Crit Care Med 25(10):1655-1662, 1997. e-Pub 1997. PMID: 9377879.
Other Articles
- Frenkel M, Sapire KJ, Lacey J, Zollman C, Sierpina VS What Should I Eat? Addressing Questions and Challenges Related to Nutrition in the Integrative Oncology Setting. Curr Oncol Rep 24(11):1557-1567, 2022. PMID: 35788876.
Abstracts
- Lee LA, Sapire KJ. Risk Factors for Ischemic Optic Neuropathy After Spinal Fusion Surgery. ASA Abstracts, The Postoperative Visual Loss Study Group, University of Washington(LBC03), 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Sapire KJ, Wang S, Ensor J, Frenzel J, Ruiz, J. A Comparative Analysis of PONV Risk Factors (RF) Between Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) and Transphenoidal Hypophysectomy (TH). Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA) 62, New York, NY, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Frenzel JC, Sapire KJ, Shook KA, Ruiz JR, Kee SS. Adoption of Digital Documentation for Perioperative Notes in an Academic Practice. ASA Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida CD, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Frenzel JC, Sapire KJ, Kee SS, Owen M, Ruiz, JR. Creation of a Focused Data Application to Track the Incidence of PONV in a University Practice. ASA Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida CD, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Gopinath S, Sapire KJ, Farhat G, Robertson C. Intraoperative Non-invasive Monitoring of Cerebral Oxygen Saturation by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy during Moderate Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Critical Care Medicine 290, 1996. e-Pub 1996.
- Darouiche R, Raad I, Wall M, Gabrielli A, Huaringa A, Price K, Dupuis J, Sapire KJ. Antimicrobial Efficacy, Durability and Safety of Central Venous Catheters Coated with Minocycline and Rifampin. Critical Care Medicine 290, 1996. e-Pub 1996.
- Sapire KJ, Gopinath SP, Farhat GA, Robertson CS. Hypotension During Rewarming on Cardiopulmonary Bypass Contributes to Cerebral Ischemia. Abstract Book,11th World Congress of Anesthesiologists D98, 1996. e-Pub 1996.
- LaFuente JA, Ueyama K, Jones JW, Sapire KJ. Accuracy of Extra-Cranial Temperature Probes During Deep Hypothermia. Abstract Book, 11th World Congress of Anesthesiologists:P144, 1996. e-Pub 1996.
Book Chapters
- Duffy JD, Sapire KJ, Chaoul, MA. Health Care Professional Stress. In: MD Anderson Manual of Psycho-Social Oncology, Section VIII, Health Care Professional Well-being. 1st Edition. McGraw-Hill Professional, 351-364, 2010.
- Sapire KJ, Tummala S. Monitoring and Positioning of the Neurosurgical Patient. In: NeuRecipes, The MD Anderson Cancer Center Guide to Anesthesia for Neurosurgical Cases. AuthorHouse, 25-37, 2008.
- Jones JW, Schmidt SE, Richman BW, Itani KM, Sapire KJ, Reardon MJ. Surgical Myocardial Revascularization. In: The Surgical Clinics of North America, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery. WB Saunders, 705-727, 1998.
Letters to the Editor
- Ferson D, Thakar D, Swafford J, Sinha A, Sapire KJ, Arens J. Response to "Combined TEE and LMA Technique". J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 18: 395 - 396, 2004.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2021. Meaning in Medicine: What does it mean for me?. Conference. Meaning in Medicine: What does it mean for me?. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Compassion, Meaning and Healing. Conference. Compassion, Meaning and Healing. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Compassion, Meaning and Healing. Conference. Compassion, Meaning and Healing. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Healers Art. Conference. Healers Art. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. Conference. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. Conference. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Healers Art. Conference. Healers Art. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Finding Meaning in Narrative Medicine-finding Resilience at Work. Conference. Finding Meaning in Narrative Medicine-finding Resilience at Work. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Mindful Practice and How it Helps. Conference. Mindful Practice and How it Helps. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Mindful Practice and Managing Stress at Work. Conference. Mindful Practice and Managing Stress at Work. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Finding Compassion in Medicine: Stories from the Front. Conference. Finding Compassion in Medicine: Stories from the Front. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Anesthesia OneConnect Update. Conference. Anesthesia OneConnect Update. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. EPIC Change. Conference. EPIC Change. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Stress, Burnout and Meditation. Conference. Stress, Burnout and Meditation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Stress, Burnout, and Meditation. Conference. Stress, Burnout, and Meditation. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Stress and Burnout at Work: The Human Response. Conference. Stress and Burnout at Work: The Human Response. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Anesthesia Burnout and Stress: Let There Be Mindfulness. Conference. Anesthesia Burnout and Stress: Let There Be Mindfulness. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2020. Coffee Table Wisdom. Conference. Coffee Table Wisdom, US.
- 2017. Transition to Professional Practice, Mastering Stress, Finding Resilience at Work. Conference. Transition to Professional Practice, Mastering Stress, Finding Resilience at Work, TX, US.
- 2016. Physician Wellness. Conference. Physician Wellness, US.
- 2014. Mastering Stress and Burnout. Conference. Mastering Stress and Burnout. New Orleans, LA, US.
National Presentations
- 2019. Service As A Way of Life. Conference. Burnout to Brilliance Physician Wellness Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2019. Meaning in Medicine. Conference. Burnout to Brilliance Physician Wellness Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2018. Physician Wellness and Burnout: A Complete Look at Factors Both in the OR and ICU. Conference. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2018. Mindfulness and Well-Being at Work. Conference. University of Manitoba - Max Rady College of Medicine. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- 2017. Life Saving Skills for Improving Personal Outcomes: Mastering Perioperative Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience!. Conference. Life Saving Skills for Improving Personal Outcomes: Mastering Perioperative Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience!. Boston, MA, US.
- 2016. Balancing Stress of Anesthesia and Work Life Frenzy: Mastering Mindfulness to Find Compassion and Resilience at Work!. Conference. Balancing Stress of Anesthesia and Work Life Frenzy: Mastering Mindfulness to Find Compassion and Resilience at Work!. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2016. Working with Small Groups - Creating A Safe Environment. Conference. The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston McGovern Society Leaders Training Institute. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Creating Safe Space -Teaching Small Groups. Conference. Creating Safe Space -Teaching Small Groups. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Balancing the Stress of Anesthesia and Work Life Frenzy: Mastering the Art of Mindfulness to Find Resilience at Work. Conference. Balancing the Stress of Anesthesia and Work Life Frenzy: Mastering the Art of Mindfulness to Find Resilience at Work. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2015. Critical Care Department Faculty Seminar=Finding Meaning in Medicine, working with Resilience and Compassion. Conference. Critical Care Department Faculty Seminar=Finding Meaning in Medicine, working with Resilience and Compassion, US.
- 2015. The Healers Art – Bringing Compassion into Medicine. Conference. The Healers Art – Bringing Compassion into Medicine, US.
- 2015. Chronic Pain Faculty Seminar-Finding Meaning in Medicine. Conference. Chronic Pain Faculty Seminar-Finding Meaning in Medicine, US.
- 2014. Integrative Approach to Oncological Procedures: Guided Self-Hypnosis during Bone Marrow Aspirations and/ or Biopsies. Conference. Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO) Annual Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Mastering Perioperative Stress and Burnout: Exploring Methods of Essential Mind- Fitness Developing Resilience at Work. Conference. Mastering Perioperative Stress and Burnout: Exploring Methods of Essential Mind- Fitness Developing Resilience at Work. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Managing Stress Burnout for Anesthesia Professionals: Exploring the Methods of Essential Mind-Fitness Techniques-Developing Resilience at Work. Conference. Managing Stress Burnout for Anesthesia Professionals: Exploring the Methods of Essential Mind-Fitness Techniques-Developing Resilience at Work. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2013. Mastering Stress and Burnout for Healthcare Professionals and Other Workers: Exploring Methods of Essential Mind-Fitness Techniques - Developing Resilience at Work. Conference. Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA, US.
- 2012. Managing Stress Burnout for Anesthesia Professionals: Exploring the Methods of Essential Mind-Fitness Techniques-Developing Resilience at Work. Conference. Managing Stress Burnout for Anesthesia Professionals: Exploring the Methods of Essential Mind-Fitness Techniques-Developing Resilience at Work. Washington, DC, US.
- 2010. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. Conference. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2009. Best Practices for Physician Adoption - Overcoming Physician Resistance: How To Get From "No" to "Go". Conference. PICIS. Cambridge, MA, US.
- 2008. A Comparative Analysis of PONV Risk Factors (RF) Between Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) and Transphenoidal Hypophysectomy (TH). Conference. 62nd Postgraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology (PGA). New York, NY, US.
- 2008. Adoption of Digital Documentation for Perioperative Notes in an Academic Practice. Conference. 2008 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2008. Creation of a Focused Data Application to Track the Incidence of PONV in a University Practice. Conference. 2008 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2008. Moving Away From Paper - Adoption of Digital Documentation for Perioperative Notes. Conference. Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) 23rd Annual Meeting. Miami Beach, FL, US.
International Presentations
- 2019. Balancing Burnout, Using Internet Technology with Zoom. Conference. Balancing Burnout, Using Internet Technology with Zoom. Mexico City, MX.
- 2019. Bringing Back the Meaning in Medicine. Conference. Bringing Back the Meaning in Medicine. Bogota, CO.
- 2019. Perioperative Medicine: Integration of Care to Optimize Quality of Life. Conference. Perioperative Medicine: Integration of Care to Optimize Quality of Life. Bogota, CO.
- 2019. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work. Conference. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work. Bogota, CO.
- 2013. Poster Presentation "A registry Monitoring Clinical Outcomes in Perioperative Cancer Patients Utilizing Integrative Approaches". Conference. Poster Presentation "A registry Monitoring Clinical Outcomes in Perioperative Cancer Patients Utilizing Integrative Approaches". Vancouver, CA.
- 2012. The Process of Combining Integrative Medicine Concepts into the Anesthesia Department in MD Anderson Cancer Center. Conference. The Process of Combining Integrative Medicine Concepts into the Anesthesia Department in MD Anderson Cancer Center. Tel Aviv, IL.
- 2012. Leadership Support is Critical to Improve Compliance with Recommended Departmental Practice Guidelines. Conference. Leadership Support is Critical to Improve Compliance with Recommended Departmental Practice Guidelines. Buenos Aires, AR.
- 2011. Let There Be Light: Insights Into Managing Burnout and Stress in Difficult Times. Conference. Let There Be Light: Insights Into Managing Burnout and Stress in Difficult Times. Cleveland, US.
- 2010. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. Conference. Evaluation and Implementation of an Automated Medication Dispensing System into Anesthesia Worksites at a Large University Hospital. Honolulu, US.
- 2008. Physician Discussion Group - A Way to Explore Meaning in Medicine Addressing Physicians Needs in a Cancer Center. Conference. Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) Fifth International Conference. Atlanta, US.
- 1996. Hypotension During Rewarming on Cardiopulmonary Bypass Contributes to Cerebral Ischemia. Conference. The 11th World Congress of Anaesthesiology (WCA). Sydney, AU.
- 1996. A Surgical Nightmare, An Anesthesiologists Dream: Using Technology to Simplify Volume Control in Thoracoabdominal Surgery. Conference. Clinical Update in Anesthesiology. Dutch Caribbean, AW.
Formal Peers
- 2019. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. Visiting. Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Personal and Organizational Resilience at Work!. New York, NY, US.
- 2019. Fellow and Resident teaching on the Meaning of Medicine. Visiting. Fellow and Resident teaching on the Meaning of Medicine. New York, NY, US.
- 2019. Meaning of Medicine. Visiting. Meaning of Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Visiting Professor, Meaning In Medicine. Visiting. Visiting Professor, Meaning In Medicine. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- 2018. Visiting Professor, Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Resilience at Work. Visiting. Visiting Professor, Mastering Physician Burnout: Developing Resilience at Work. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- 2012. Invited Professor, Preprocedural Comfort Talk - Easing Anxiety Prior to Procedures, Using Hypnotic Techniques and Mastering Stress and Burnout at Work, The Science of the Human Response. Visiting. Invited Professor, Preprocedural Comfort Talk - Easing Anxiety Prior to Procedures, Using Hypnotic Techniques and Mastering Stress and Burnout at Work, The Science of the Human Response. Haifa, IL.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2003 - 2003 |
| Title: | Acupuncture to Prevent Postoperative Paralytic Ileus |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | NIH R21-AT001065-01-A2 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 03, 2025