Shannon Hancher-Hodges, MD
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Chief of Hepatobiliary Anesthesia- Clinical Associate Professor, Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Anesthesiology & PeriOper Med, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, US, MD |
| 2001 | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, US, BS in Zoology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2015-2016 | Texas Medical Association Leadership College, Texas Medical Association, Austin, Texas |
| 2006-2009 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2006 | Clinical Internship, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2017 | ACLS |
| 2016 | DEA |
| 2011 | American Board of Anesthesiology |
| 2005 | Texas Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology & PeriOper Med, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2019
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Section Chief Hepatobiliary Anesthesia, Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2021 - Present
Chair MD Anderson COVID Airway team, Anesthesiology & PeriOper Med, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - 2021
Hepatobiliary Section Scheduler, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Acute Pain Resident Coordinator, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2017
Assistant Medical Director Acute Pain, Anesthesiology & PeriOper Med, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2014 - 2017
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Utilization Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2026
Member, Faculty Recruitment Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2025
Pain Representative, ERAS Gynecological Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2015
Pain Representative, ERAS Surgical Oncology - Colorectal, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2015
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
HCMS representative, TMA House Steering Caucus, Texas Medical Association, 2025 - Present
Member, TMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws, Texas Medical Association, 2025 - Present
Chair, Financial and Organizational Affairs Review Team-HCMS, Harris County Medical Society, 2022
Board Member, Board of Ethics-HCMS, Harris County Medical Society, 2021 - 2024
Accreditation Board Member, Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, National COARC, 2020 - 2022
Member, TSAPAC Bylaws Committee, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2020
Board member, TEXPAC Board, Texas Medical Association, 2019 - Present
Chair, Patient-Physician Advocacy, Texas Medical Association, 2019 - 2021
Member, Financial and Organizational Affairs Reference Committee-TMA, Texas Medical Association, 2019
Member, TSA Subcommittee of TSA Sponsorship to TMA Leadership College, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2019
Vice District Chair, TEXPAC, Texas Medical Association, 2019
Member, TSA Finance Advisory Committee, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2018 - Present
Member, TSA Government Affairs Advisory Committee, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2018 - Present
Executive Board Member, TSAPAC Board, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, 2018 - Present
Board Member, HCMS Medical Legislative Board, Harris County Medical Society, 2018 - 2021
Board Member, TSA Board of Directors, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2018 - 2019
Member, TSA Meetings Committee, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2018
Chair, Science and Public Health Review Team, Harris County Medical Society, 2018
Member, Council of TSA Members Serving to the TMA, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2017 - Present
Board Member, Texas Medical Association Foundation, TMA Foundation, 2017 - 2020
Delegate, Texas Medical Association House of Delegates, Texas Medical Association, 2016 - Present
Member, Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee, Texas Medical Association, 2016 - 2022
Member, Physicians Counseling Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - 2019
Board Member, Women in Anesthesiology Board of Directors, Women in Anesthesiology, 2016 - 2019
Member, Young Physicians Section Committee, Texas Medical Association, 2016 - 2018
Member, HCMS Membership Committee, Harris County Medical Society, 2016 - 2017
Treasurer, Women in Anesthesiology Treasurer, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2015 - 2016
Member, Women in Anesthesiology Web Design Committee, American Society of Anesthesiology, 2015
Member, Women in Anesthesiology Planning Committee, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2015
Member, TSA Patient Safety and Quality Committee, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2014 - 2018
Delegate, Texas Society of Anesthesiology House of Delgates, Texas Society of Anesthesiology, 2012 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2016 | Employee of the Month, Department of Anesthesiology |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2015. Acute Postoperative Pain. Conference. Acute Postoperative Pain. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Approaches to Pain Management after Surgery. Conference. Approaches to Pain Management after Surgery. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2016. Regional Anesthesia Updates. Conference. Regional Anesthesia Updates. San Antonio, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2017. Cosyntropin for Treatment of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Pediatric Patient. Conference. Cosyntropin for Treatment of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Pediatric Patient. Glasgow.
- 2016. The use of TIVA does not affect postoperative PLR and NLRs after pancreatic cancer surgery when compared to a volatile agent based anesthetic. Conference. The use of TIVA does not affect postoperative PLR and NLRs after pancreatic cancer surgery when compared to a volatile agent based anesthetic. New York, NY, US.
- 2016. Sugammadex and Muscular Dystrophy. Conference. Sugammadex and Muscular Dystrophy. New York, NY, US.
- 2016. Epidural Catheter Migration Rates and Risk Factors in Acute Postoperative Pain Patients: A Review of 18,837 Cases over a 10-year period. Conference. Epidural Catheter Migration Rates and Risk Factors in Acute Postoperative Pain Patients: A Review of 18,837 Cases over a 10-year period. New York, NY, US.
- 2016. A Post Dural Puncture Case- More than just pain?. Conference. A Post Dural Puncture Case- More than just pain?. New York, NY, US.
- 2015. Prognostic Factors for Increased Length of Stay after Hepatic Cancer Surgery. Conference. Prognostic Factors for Increased Length of Stay after Hepatic Cancer Surgery. New York, NY, US.
- 2014. CVP and Liver Resection. Conference. CVP and Liver Resection. New Orleans, LA, US.
- Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah Witness Patient. Conference. Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah Witness Patient, US.
International Presentations
- 2021. Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah Witness Patient. Poster. World Congress of Anesthesiologists, US.
- 2017. Fascial Plane Blocks. Invited. INEN. Lima, PE.
- 2016. Management of a Bloody Airway. Invited. Management of a Bloody Airway, CN.
Formal Peers
- 2018. What's Trending in Acute Pain, Interfacial Plane Blocks. Invited. Ho Chi Minh City, VN.
- 2016. Airway Workshop. Invited. Xi'an, CN.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Fields BC, Soliz JM, Speer BB, Hancher-Hodges S, Popat KU, Ghebremichael SJ, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Wang X, Hwang H, Bruno ML, Dewhurst WL, Arvide EM, Ikoma N, Maxwell JE, Kim MP, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD, Newhook TE. Repeat versus Single Quadratus Lumborum Block to Reduce Opioids After Open Pancreatectomy (RESQU-BLOCK): A Randomized Clinical Trial. Ann Surg 283(2):212-218, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40421798.
- Wheeler P, Donahue H, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer B. Remimazolam – a case of neurological impairment following the use of a newly approved drug. MD Anderson Summer Student Poster Presentation, 2025.
- Boyev, A, Popat, KU, Gottumukkala, V, Kwater, AP, Chiang, YJ, Prakash, L, Newhook, TE, Arvide, EM, Dewhurst, WL, Bruno, M, Van Meter, A, Hancher-Hodges, S, Ghebremichael, SJ, Williams, UU, Donahue, H, Soliz, J, Tzeng, CD. Postoperative pain scores and opioid use after standard bupivacaine vs. liposomal bupivacaine regional blocks for abdominal cancer surgery. American Journal of Surgery 237, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38789322.
- DiPeri, TP, Newhook, TE, Day, RW, Chiang, YJ, Dewhurst, WL, Arvide, EM, Bruno, M, Scally, CP, Roland, CL, Katz, MH, Vauthey, JN, Chang, GJ, Badgwell, BD, Perrier, ND, Grubbs, EG, Lee, JE, Tzeng, CD, Bednarski, BK, Chen, IB, Comeaux, RJ, Cox, DM, Feig, BW, Fisher, SB, Fournier, KF, Ghebremichael, SJ, Gibson, H, Gourmelon, NC, Graham, PH, Hancher-Hodges, S, Hunt, KK, Ikoma, N, Ivey MPAS, SL, Keung, EZ, Ledet, CR, Limmer, AR, Mansfield, PF, Mayon, L, Messick, C, Popat, KU, Rajkot MPAS, NF, Rodriguez-Bigas, MA, Santos, DA, Skibber, JM, Speer, BB, Soliz, J, Tillman, MM, Torres, KE, Van Meter, A, Williams, UU, You, YN. A prospective feasibility study evaluating the 5x-multiplier to standardize discharge prescriptions in cancer surgery patients. Surgery Open Science 9:51-57, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35663797.
- Newhook TE, Prakash LR, Soliz J, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer BB, Wilks JA, Bruno ML, Dewhurst WL, Arvide EM, Maxwell JE, Ikoma N, Kim MP, Lee JE, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD. Perioperative blood transfusions and survival in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients given multimodality therapy. J Surg Oncol 124(8):1381-1389, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34398988.
- Newhook TE, Soliz JM, Prakash LR, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer BB, Wilks JA, Ikoma N, Kim MP, Lee JE, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD. Impact of Intraoperative Dexamethasone on Surgical and Oncologic Outcomes for Patients with Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 28(3):1563-1569, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32803553.
- Su J, Soliz JM, Hancher-Hodges S, Popat KU. Factors associated with complete outward migration of postoperative epidural analgesia catheters placed for oncologic surgery: A 10-year single-center retrospective study. J Clin Anesth 66:109955, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32521432.
- Newhook TE, Soliz JM, Prakash LR, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer BB, Wilks JA, Ikoma N, Kim MP, Lee JE, G Katz MH, Tzeng CD. Impact of intraoperative dexamethasone on surgical and oncologic outcomes in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Newhook TE, Dewhurst WL, Vreeland TJ, Wang X, Soliz J, Speer BB, Hancher-Hodges S, Feng C, Bruno ML, Kim MP, Aloia TA, Vauthey JN, Lee JE, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD. Inpatient Opioid Use After Pancreatectomy: Opportunities for Reducing Initial Opioid Exposure in Cancer Surgery Patients. Ann Surg Oncol 26(11):3428-3435, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31243665.
- Soliz, Lipski, Hancher-Hodges, Speer, Popat. Subcostal Transverse Abdominis Plane Block for Acute Pain Management. Anesthesia Pain Medicine, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
Review Articles
- Soliz JM, Lipski I, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer BB, Popat K. Subcostal Transverse Abdominis Plane Block for Acute Pain Management: A Review. Anesth Pain Med 7(5):e12923, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29696110.
- Wilks, J, Hancher-Hodges, S, Gottumukkala, V. Contemporary Perioperative Anesthetic Management of Hepatic Resection. Advances in Anesthesia 34(1):85-103, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
Abstracts
- Silott P, Wright E, Popat K, Hancher-Hodges S, Tsai E, Kwater AP. Quadratus Lumborum Catheters for Comprehensive Analgesia Following DIEP Flap Reconstruction- A Case Series. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2026.
- Gonugunta A, John S, Popat K, Kwater AP, Hancher-Hodges S, Tsai E, Ghebremichael S. Opioid-Sparing Postoperative Analgesia Using Bilateral Quadratus Lumborum Catheters for Major Abdominal Surgery. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2026.
- Tsai E, Kwater A, Hancher-Hodges S, Popat K, Zavala A. External Oblique Intercostal Block in Ostomy Patients. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2025.
- Wright E, Popat K, Hancher-Hodges S, Kwater A, Tsai E. Analysis of Postoperative Pain, Opioid Requirements, and Surgical Time in Robotic Cystectomy with or Without Regional Anesthesia. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2024.
- Wright, E., Kwater, A.P., Hancher-Hodges S, Ghebremichael, S, Shrestha, L.A., Kurian, J.. Analysis of Postoperative Pain, Opioid Requirement, and Surgical Time in Robotic Cystectomy with or Without Regional Anesthesia. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2024.
- Lumsden, S, Zavala, A, Hancher-Hodges S, Kwater, A.. Analgesia Following DIEP Flap Reconstruction. American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2023.
- Igwe P, Kurian J, Popat K, Lumsden S, Kwater A, Hancher-Hodges S, VanMeter A, Zavala A, Ghebremichael S, Donahue H, Williams U. Erector Spinae Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Total Mastectomy, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Brown J, Hancher-Hodges S, Roland C, Zavala A, Lasala J, Mena G, Ramirez M, Popat K. Bilateral Erector Spinae Catheters for Oncologic Abdominal Sarcoma Surgery. 17th World Congress of Anesthesiologists in Prague, Czech Republic, September 5-9 2021, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Hancher-Hodges S, Zavala A, Tsai J, McPherson K, Hussein R, Kapoor R, Alnatour O, Soliz J. Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah’s Witness Patient with Cosyntropin. 17th World Congress of Anesthesiologists in Prague, Czech Republic, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Brown J, Hancher-Hodges S, Roland C, Zavala A, Lasala J, Mena G, Ramirez M, Popat K. The Use of Bilateral Erector Spinae Catheters in Oncologic Abdominal Sarcoma Surgery, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Hancher-Hodges S, Zavala A, Tsai J, McPherson K, Hussein R, Kapoor R, Alnatour O, Soliz J. Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovas Witness Patient, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Cohen M, Hancher-Hodges S, Speer B, Popat K, Arnold B, Grasu R, a V. Pre-operative Single-Shot erector Spinae Plane Block for the Management of Acute Post-Operative Surgical Pain for Forequarter Amputation. MD Anderson Anesthesiology Poster Symposium, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Kotamarti K, Van Mater A, Speer B, Hancher-Hodges, S. Erector Spinae Block for Chest Tube Insertion Site Pain, 2018.
- Lydon K, Tsai J, Zavala AM, Soliz J, Popat K, Speer B, Hancher S. ACTH for treatment of PDPH in a child with malignancy. American Society of Anesthesiology, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Speer B, Popovich S, Tsai J, Lasala J, Hancher S. Intraoral Sarcomatous Carcinoma- A complicated airway secured with a simple technique, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Hancher-Hodges S, Zavala A, Tsai J, McPherson K, Hussein R, Kapoor R, Alnatour O, and Soliz JM. Successful Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah Witness Patient with Cosyntropin. MD Anderson Resident and Trainee Research Day, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Lydon K, Tsai JY, Zavala AM, Soliz J, Popat K, Speer B, Lipski I, Hancher-Hodges S. Cosyntropin Successfully Treated a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a 4 year- old Patient. MD Anderson Resident and Trainee Research Day, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Soliz, J, Hancher-Hodges, Speer S, B, Lipski, I, Su, J, Chiang, J, Popat, K. A retrospective review comparing epidural analgesia to transverse abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine for intra-abdominal cancer surgery. International Anesthesia Research Society (#RA53: 1232), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Correa A, Hancher-Hodges S, Popovich S, Speer B. Topical Amitriptyline 2%/Lidocaine 1%/Ketamine 5% (compounded) cream for acute postoperative neuropathic pain following external hemipelvectomy. 2017 ASRA 16th Annual Pain Meeting, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Soliz, J, Ifeanyi, I, Cata, J, Katz, J, Fleming, J, McHugh, T, Nava, A, Hancher, S, Lasala, J, Rahlfs, T, Gottumukkala, V. The use of TIVA does not affect postoperative PLR and NLRs after pancreatic cancer surgery when compared to a volatile agent based anesthetic. 70th New York Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesia (New York PGA) 2016 (#P-9053, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Speer, B, Hancher-Hodges, S, Soliz, J, Holmes, A. Sugammadex and Muscular Dystrophy - Not so fast!. 70th New York Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesia (New York PGA) 2016 (#MCC-7111), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Su, J, Soliz, J, Hancher-Hodges, S, Popat, K. Epidural Catheter Migration Rates and Risk Factors in Acute Postoperative Pain Patients: A Review of 18,837 Cases over a 10 Year Period, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Hancher-Hodges, S, Soliz, J, Wilks, J, Popat, K, Speer, B, Lipski, I. A Post Dural Puncture Case- More than just Pain?. 70th New York Post Graduate Assembly in Anesthesia (New York PGA) 2016 (#MMC-7055), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Hancher-Hodges S, Soliz JM, Speer B, Popat K, Lasala J Vauthey JN, Aloia TA, Conrad C, Feng L Gottumukkala V. Prognostic factors for increased length of stay after hepatic cancer surgery. New York Society of Anesthesiologists - 69th Post Graduate Assembly (PGA, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lasala, J, Cata, J, Hancher-Hodges, S, Mena, G. Decreased Intra-Operative Opioid Consumption Following Enhanced Recovery after Gynecologic Surgery. 2015 World Congress of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery and Perioperative Medicine Annual Meeting, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Lasala, J, Cata, J, Hancher-Hodges, S, Mena, G. Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Gynecologic Oncology Surgery Pathway: Improving compliance with key elements of preoperative care.,, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Hancher SB, Soliz J, Speer B, Hernandez M, Vauthey JN, Aloia T, Conrad C, Gottumukkala VN. The Routine Use of Central Venous Pressure Monitoring and Its Effect on Intraoperative Blood Loss During Hepatic Resection. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting (#A3298), 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Chen A, Owolabi A, Ghebremichael S, Williams U, Van Meter A, Hancher S, Donahue H, Kwater A, Popat K, Tsai E. Ultrasound-Guided Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) With Catheters for Geriatric Open Abdominal Hernia Repair Surgery: A Case Report. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- Hancher-Hodges S, Zavala A, Tsai J, Soliz J. Management of a Post Dural Puncture Headache in a Jehovah’s Witness Patient with Cosyntropin. 17th World Congress of Anesthesiologists.
- Hancher-Hodges S. Nasal Flexible Intubation with POM mask. MD Anderson summer student poster presentations.
- Hancher-Hodges S. Identifying mastectomy patients who benefit most from Erector Spinae Plane block as a component of perioperative care to reduce pain after surgery. International Anesthesia Research Society.
- Hancher-Hodges S. Erector Spinae Plane Block Catheters for Chest and Abdominal Wall Analgesia following DIEP Reconstruction. ASRA.
- Ibrahim J, Gavin Ovsak MD, Edward Tsai MD, Chen A, Andrzej Kwater MD, Hart Donahue MD, Antionette VanMeter MD, Shannon Hancher –Hodges MD, Semahar Ghebremicheal MD, Uduak Williams MD, Adebukola Owolabi MD, Acsa Zavala MD, MD KP. Comparison of Anesthesiologist and Surgeon-Performed Abdominal Wall Blocks in Minimally Invasive Surgery. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Book Chapters
- Jonathan Wilks MD, Shannon Hancher-Hodges MD, Vijaya Gottumakkala MD. Contemporary Perioperative Anesthetic Management of Hepatic Resection. In: Advances in Anesthesia. 1. Elsevier, 85-103, 2016.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 28, 2026