Maria Susan Gaeta, MD
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Maria Susan Gaeta
As an attending in the Emergency Center in a comprehensive cancer center I am involved in providing care to cancer patients that come to the Emergency Center and are place in the Clinical Decision UnitPrior to be an attending physician in the Emergency Center, I was an attending intensivist for 10 years in the same current comprehensive cancer center that I currently work in. The intensive care unit is an open unit where oncologists admit patients to the ICU and are involved in decision making about the care provided to the critically ill cancer patients. The open model heightens the importance of effective communication between health care providers, patients and patient’s families. I was frequently involved in patient/family meetings. These meetings frequently involved decision making about pursuing aggressive care versus considering comfort measures or discussing transitioning to comfort care. The majority of the patients had not completed advance directives or discussed with their family members their preferences for life supporting technology. My active participation in the family meetings has provided me with extensive experience to be aware of the challenges that families are faced with in decision making about their love one.
Furthermore, I was the Chair of the End of Life ICU Subcommittee for many years. Through the work on this committee I focused on improving the quality of end of life care that is provided in our ICU. Activities have included convening a improving end of life care in the icu symposium, lecturing locally and nationally on end of life issues in the icu.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Chair, Inpatient Clinical Informatics, Ofc/EVP, Physician-in-Chief, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Patient Safety Quality Officer, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Clinical Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1998 | The University of California Davis, Davis, California, US, MD |
| 1994 | San Jose State University, San Jose, California, US, Biological Sciences, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2023-2024 | Master of Science in Health Care Transformation, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX |
| 2022-2023 | Leadership Instiute, LEADing Teams Cohort -June 2023, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2017-2018 | Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management, Rice University, Houston, Texas |
| 2013-2013 | Ethics, Intensive Bioethics Course, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Washington, DC |
| 2010-2011 | Faculty Leadership Academy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2007-2007 | Faculty Heart of Leadership Program, Management and Leadership, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2007-2007 | Clinical Safety and Effectiveness (CS&E),Health Care Safety, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2004 | Clinical Fellowship, Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York |
| 1999-2002 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC |
| 1998-1999 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2006 | Texas Medical License |
| 2004 | Internal Medicine |
| 2004 | New York State |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2024
Clinical Specialist, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2018
Clinical Specialist, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2018
Adjunct Faculty, Integrated Ethics in Cancer Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Assistant Professor, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2016
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Inpatient Clinical Informatics, Ofc/EVP, Physician-in-Chief, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2021 - Present
Patient Safety Quality Officer, Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - Present
Associate Medical Director, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2016
Other Professional Positions
EHR Provider Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 2014 - 2016
Section of Cancer Bioethics and the Clinical Ethics Service Faculty, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Locum Tenens Physician, Weatherby Locums, Inc, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2005 - 2006
Intensivists, New Your Hospital Queens, Flushing, NY, 2004 - 2005
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Vice Chair, Clinical Ethics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, IOTOX Clinical Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Institutional Code Blue Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Clinical Ethics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - 2025
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, ACCC, CDU Access and Operations, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Readmissions workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Physician Champion, Naunce Inpatient Guidance Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2024
Chair, Medication-Related Clinical Decision Support, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2024
Member, Institutional Sepsis Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2023
Member, BPA Governance, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Member, Glycemic management program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Chair, Handoff 360- ACCC to Inpatient Handoff Action Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2022
Member, Covid Floor Operations, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member and Clinical Lead, EC Transformation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2023
Member, EC Surge and Overcrowding Committee- Metrics Workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2020
Chair, EC Surge and Overcrowding Committee- Ct Scan Turn Around Time Workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2020
Member, Patient Clinical Informatics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Hospital Flow- Leadership Follow-up Bed Management/RTDC, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Member, Operational Priority Safety 365: Sepsis Program Core Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2021
Member, Glucose Management (GLYCAT), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Member, Operational Priority Safety 365: Sepsis Initiative-Subcommittee Analytics, Dashboard, Graphics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2019
Team Lead, Operational Priority Safety 365: Sepsis Initiative-Early Detection: Screening/BPA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2019
Member, Operational Priority Safety 365: Sepsis Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2019
Member, Acute & Critical Care Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Chair, EC Surge and Overcrowding Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Member, Emergency Center Quality and Safety Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2021
Member, Institutional Sepsis Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2020
Member, CDU Leadership, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Co-Chair, Medication Related Decision Support, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Member, Inpatient Clinical Informatics Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - 2019
Member, EHR Reporting Governance Meeting, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - 2016
Member, Integrated Clinical Team for Epic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Chair, Medication Related Decision Support, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Member, Strategic Focus Area: People We Serve-Advance Care Planning Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2016
Member, Medical Practice Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - 2016
Member, Psychosocial Council Leadership, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2016
Co-chair, Advance Care Planning in the ICU, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2014
Member, Psychosocial Behavior Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2010 - 2012
Co-Chair, Sepsis Collaborative, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2016
Member, Psychosocial Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2016
Member, Clinical Ethics Consultation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2016
Co-chair, Advance Care Planning Work Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2014
Chair, Clinical Effectiveness and Evidence Based Health Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2008 - 2016
Member, Clinical Effectiveness Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2008 - 2016
Member, ICU Operations Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2016
Chair, End of Life Task Force, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2011
Member, Psychosocial Behavior Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2009
Member, Psychosocial, Behavior and Health Services Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2009
Chair, Staff Satisfaction and Retention Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2008
Member, ICU Family Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2007
Member, Visitation Task Force Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2007
Honors & Awards
| 2021 | 2021 Quality Caring Award finalist, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1997 - 1998 | Talented Roster for Distinguished Academic Performance, Merced College |
| 1995 | Outstanding Student Award, Merced College |
| 1986 | Lange Medical Publications Student Award, The University of Davis California |
| 1985 | Dean's Health Policy, The University of Davis California |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2022. Emergency Management of Immune Related Adverse events. Conference. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center IOTOX Working group. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Using Root Cause Analysis as a Tool for Creating a Culture of Safety. Conference. Texas Gulf Coast Association of Healthcare Quality. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Sepsis-The Current and Future State of the Science: Nurses on the Front Line of sepsis,. Conference. 2019 Houston Methodist Sepsis Awareness Symposium,. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. La Planificacion Anticipada de las Decisiones y Demencia. Conference. 2019 Caregiver Conference- The Courage to Care. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Advance Care Planning and Dementia. Conference. New Horizons in Quality Dementia care 2019 Conference for Professionals. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Sepsis-The Algorithm. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Symptom management: is a good death possible in the ICU?. Conference. UT Health School of Nursing. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. End of Life Lecture. Conference. ACCN. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Seeeking Care in Criss: The Immigrant Journey Through the Emergency Room. Invited. 2025 Oncologic Emergency Medicine Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Emergency department surge and overcrowding: An Interdisciplinary Solution at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Conference. 23 Annual SAEM Mid Atlantic Regional Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. What School Nurses Need to Know about Pediatric Sepsis. Conference. UTMB School Health Conference. Galveston, TX, US.
- 2014. Comfort Care Measures in the ICU. Conference. Texas Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2010. Sepsis in Adult Leukemia Patients. Conference. The University of Texas System. Austin, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2019. Religion/Spirituality:Help or Hindrance to Patient/Family Pain and Suffering in a Medical Crisis. Conference. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 23rd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Religion/Spirituality:Help or Hindrance to Patient/Family Pain and Suffering in a Medical Crisis. Conference. Conference on Medicine and Religion. Durham, NC, US.
- 2018. When Medicine and Religion Meet at the Bedside of Critically Ill Cancer Patients, Do They Run Parallel, Intersect or Crash with Each Other. Conference. Univ. of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 22nd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine,. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. When Medicine and Religion Meet at the Bedside of Critically Ill Cancer Patients, Do They Run Parallel, Intersect or Crash with Each Other. Invited. Conference on Medicine and Religion. Saint Louis, MO, US.
- 2013. Is it possible to integrate Palliative Care Concepts in an ICU in a Comprehensive Cancer Center ?. Invited. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. Intensive Communication. Invited. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Pallative Care in the ICU. Invited. N/A. Houston, TX, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Zhukovsky, DS, Soliman, PT, Liu, D, Meyer, M, Haider, A, Heung, YJ, Gaeta, MS, Lu, KH, Stepan, KA, Stanton, P, Rodriguez, A, Bruera, E. Patient Engagement With Early Stage Advance Care Planning at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Oncologist 28(6):542-550, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36848260.
- Lipe DN, Bourenane SS, Wattana MK, Gaeta S, Chaftari P, Cruz Carreras MT, Manzano JG, Reyes-Gibby C. A modified emergency severity index level is associated with outcomes in cancer patients with COVID-19. Am J Emerg Med 54:111-116, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35152119.
- Lipe DN, Galvis-Carvajal E, Rajha E, Wechsler AH, Gaeta S. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myasthenia gravis, myositis, and myocarditis overlap syndrome. Am J Emerg Med 46:51-55, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33721590.
- Lipe DN, Elsayem A, Cruz-Carreras MT, Thomas J, Feliciano A, Ren J, Gaeta SM, Rajha E, Manasanch E, Kheder E, Brock P, Reyes-Gibby C. Characteristics of cancer patients with COVID-19 in a cancer hospital. Ann Palliat Med 10(2):1763-1771, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33222454.
- Yeung SJ, Qdaisat A, Chaftari P, Lipe D, Merlin J, Rajha E, Wechsler A, Sandoval M, Viets J, Al-Breiki A, Shah M, Pandey R, Kamal M, Khattab O, Toale K, Wattana M, Elsayem A, Gaeta S, Brock P, Reyes-Gibby C, Alagappan K. Diagnosis and management of immune-related adverse effects of immune checkpoint therapy in the emergency department. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 1(6):1637-1659, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33392573.
- Malik IA, Cardenas-Turanzas M, Gaeta S, Borthakur G, Price K, Cortes J, Nates JL. Sepsis and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Population-Level Study of Comparative Outcomes of Patients Discharged From Texas Hospitals. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 17(12):e27-e32, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28844403.
- Hanzelka KM, Yeung SC, Chisholm G, Merriman KW, Gaeta S, Malik I, Rice TW. Implementation of Modified Early Goal Directed Therapy for Sepsis in the Emergency Center of a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Support Care Cancer 21(3):727-34, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 22956191.
- Cardenas-Turanzas M, Gaeta S, Ashoori A, Price KJ, Nates JL. Demographic and clinical determinants of having do not resuscitate orders in the intensive care unit of a comprehensive cancer center. J Palliat Med 14(1):45-50, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21194303.
- Gaeta S, Pastores S, Margarita A, Halpern N, Voight LP. Disseminated Trichosporonosis presenting with maculopaular rash and multisystem organ failure in an immunosuppressed patient. Chest 126:967S-a-968, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Gaeta S, Elshinawy AA, Voight LP, VanderEls N, Feinstein MB. Successful Use of Parenteral and Inhaled Antifungal Therapy in a Woman with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma and Galactomannan Negative Aspergillis Tracheobronchitis. Chest 126:986S-987, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
Invited Articles
- John PR, Heith K, Johnson EM, Gaeta MS. Ethical Considerations for a COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. Critical Connections Summer 2021, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
Review Articles
- Lipe DN, Rajha E, Wechsler AH, Gaeta S, Palaskas NL, Alhajji Z, Viets-Upchurch J, Chaftari P. Cardiotoxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy. Am J Emerg Med 50:51-58, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34274878.
Other Articles
- Fischkoff K, MD, MPA, Marshall MF, PhD, Okhuysen-Cawley R, MD, John P, MD, MPH Society of Critical Care Medicine Crisis Standard of Care Recommendations for Triaging Critical Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020.
- Gaeta S Conquering Pacemaker Management. Critical Connections, 2010.
Abstracts
- Ali N, Magnabosco L, Halm J, Gaeta MS, Soones T, Chopra D, Lin H, Pagali SR, Ayanian S. Validation of the Mayo Delirium Prediction Tool in individuals with cancer. Society of Hospital Medicine Converge 2025, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Yepez, Morel, Sharma, Nair, Chilamakuri, Koshi, Richard, Gaeta, Cata, Gutierrez, Malik, Sharma. Exploring the Significance of NETs in Septic Cancer Patients T. Critical Medicine 53(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Malik, Kaufman, Jawe, Wallace, Warren, Gaeta, Terrell, Grami. Improving Sepsis Care with a best practice alert in an oncology-dedicated acute care center. Critical Care Medicine 53(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Gaeta, MS, Bourenane S, Milling D, Vu N, Wechsler A, Brock P, Drew RT, Grami P, Alagappan K. Checking the Sepsis Pulse in Cancer Patients Presenting to Triage. Presented at the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine 2021 Annual Meeting Virtually, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Gaeta S, Edwards T, Gonzales C, all E. Emergency department surge and overcrowding: An interdisciplinary solution for an institutional issue. Presented at the 2019 ASCO Quality Care Sypmposium San Diego, California, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Zhukovsky DS, Gaeta S, Stepan K, Meyer M. Supporting Meaningful Advance Care Planning: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Enhance Number and Preparedness of Individuals Selected as Medical Power of Attorney Presented at the Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Malik I, Lu M, Gaeta S, Terrell J, Feng C, Price K, Lodato R. Sepsis ICD-9 Codes Validation Study: A Retrospective Chart Review. Presented at American Thoracic Society International Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 18-22, 2013,, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Brent A, Harum N, Lei F, Georgia L, Lou WM, Susan G, Haque, Sajid. Comparative Impact of Three Intravenous Insulin Infusion Titration Strategies on Glycemic Variability and Control in Critically Ill Oncology Patients. 41st Critical Care Congress 2012, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Nates JL, Rathi N, Haque S, Gaeta S, Pravinkumar E, Botz G, Chen K, Crommett JW, Calabrese D, de Villalobos D, Malik I, Price K. ICU Triage Improves Patient Flow and Resource Utilization. Chest October 2011. Chest 140(4), 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Chemaly RF, Vigil K, Adachi JA, Ying J, Popat U, Mahani MG, Granwehr B, Imrana M, Gaeta S, Champlin R, Raad II. Novel Influenza A (2009/H1N1) Infection in Cancer Patients During the Outgoing Pandemic: Early Therapy Improves Outcome. Poster Presentation at the 48th Annual IDSA Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2010, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Vigil K, Adachi JA, Jiang Y, Popat U, Mahani MG, Granwehr B, Gaeta S, Malik I, Champlin R, Raad II, Chemaly RF. Novel Influenza A (2009/H1N1) Infection in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies during the 2009 Pandemic Outbreak: Early Treatment Improves Survival. Poster Presentation at the 52nd ASH Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, 2010, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Cardenas-Turanzas M, Torres-Vigil I, Tovalin-Ahumada H, Gaeta S, Nates JL. Sociodemographic, clinical and economic factors associated with the place of death of participants in the Mexican Health and Aging Study, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
Book Chapters
- Gaeta, S. Non-invasive ventilation. In: lnternal Medicine Issues in Palliative Cancer Care: A Practical Guide",. Oxford University Press, 2014.
- Gaeta S. Sepsis. In: lnternal Medicine Issues in Palliative Cancer Care: A Practical Guide. Oxford University Press, 2014.
- Gaeta S, Price KJ. End-of-life issues in critically ill cancer patients. In: Crit Care Clin. 1, 219-27, 2010.
Letters to the Editor
- Manasanch EE, Mulanovich V, Manzano JG, Gaeta MS, Becnel M, Kaufman GP, Lee HC, Amini B, Thomas SK, Iyer SP, Weber DM, Berkova Z, Flowers CR, Orlowski RZ, Patel KK. SARS-CoV-2 in multiple myeloma initial observation and management. Leuk Lymphoma 61: 2763-2766, 2020.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026