Thomas F. Rahlfs,
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Division of Anesth CC & Pain Med -Clinical
About Thomas F. Rahlfs,
I am an anesthesiologist, board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, with a clinical interest in neuroanesthesia and anesthesia for hepato-biliary surgery. My most significant contribution has been in operations, as I was named the first Anesthesia Clinical Director at MD Anderson in 1993. Over the next 7 years I oversaw the day-to-day running of the operating rooms, surgery scheduling as well as the entire clinical anesthesia service. I have had the privilege to be Chair for the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine since 2010. In addition, I am now part of the executive leadership team that provides oversight and guidance to the institution's Perioperative Services. I spend most of my time managing one of the largest clinical departments (70 physicians and over 100 Advanced Practice Providers) in the institution. My research interests involve clinical investigations related to (1) neuroanesthesia and (2) the effects of anesthetic techniques on the body's immune function and inlfammatory response and how that relates to patients' long term survival.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Anesth CC & Pain Med -Clinical, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Clinical Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Research Interests
My research interests involve clinical investigations related to (1) neuroanesthesia and (2) the effects of anesthetic techniques on the body's immune function and inlfammatory response and how that relates to patients' long term survival.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1981 | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US, MD |
| 1977 | Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, US, Biomedical Engineering Magna Cum Laude, BSE |
Postgraduate Training
| 2016-2016 | Strategy for Health Care Delivery, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 2014-2014 | Strategy for Health Care Delivery, Texas Medical Center & MDACC, Houston, Texas |
| 2013-2013 | Being a Leader & the Effective Exercise of Leadership: An Ontological/Phenomenological Model, Leadership, Erhard-Jensen Initiative, Cancun |
| 2011-2012 | Faculty Leadership Academy, Leadership, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2011-2011 | Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Program, Performance Improvement, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2004-2005 | Certificate in Business Management Course, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Houston, Texas |
| 2003-2004 | 5 Element Acupuncture, Acupuncture, The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, Inc, Santa Monica, California |
| 2002-2002 | Intermediate Course in Medical Acupuncture, Helms Medical Acupuncture Institute/UCLA, Los Angeles, California |
| 2000-2001 | Course in Medical Acupuncture (300 hours), Acupuncture, Helms Medical Acupuncture Institute/UCLA, Los Angeles, California |
| 1999-2000 | Executive Excellence, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1982-1984 | Clinical Residency, Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 1981-1982 | Clinical Internship, Flexible, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
Board Certifications
| 2013 | American Board of Anesthesiology |
| 2002 | ABA Recertification |
| 1986 | American Board of Anesthesiology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1997 - 2023
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1992 - 1997
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1986 - 1992
Instructor, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1984 - 1986
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Deputy Division Head, Deputy Division Head ad interim, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2022
Division Head ad interim, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2016
Associate Division Head ad-interim, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2015
Department Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2021
Officer of the Day, Operating Room, Department of Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Operating Room, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2021
Clinical Medical Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2010
Billing and Compliance, Medical Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2013
Medical Director, Department of Operating Room, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Operating Room, Houston, TX, 1998 - 1999
Deputy Division Head, Deputy Division Head ad interim, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Houston, TX, 1998 - 1999
Deputy Department Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Houston, TX, 1996 - 2002
Clinical Medical Director, Department of Anesthesiology,, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Operating Room, Houston, TX, 1993 - 2000
Medical Board Member-at-large, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX, 1988 - 1989
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, Houston Community College, Houston, 2019 - Present
Anesthesia Technology Medical Advisor, Sanford-Brown College, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2013
Medical Advisory Board, InVivo Corporation, Orlando, Florida, 2007 - 2012
Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Conflict of Interest Committee, 2021 - 2023
Chair, Communications Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Chair, Development Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Chair, Finance Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Member, Engagement Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Member, Research Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Member, Performance and Outcomes Measures Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2022
Member, Advisory Committee to Division Head Search for Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2021 - 2021
Vice Chair, Conflict of Interest Committee, 2021 - 2021
Member, Surgery Case Review Committee, 2020 - 2021
Member, Conflict of Interest Committee, 2020 - 2020
Member, PRS Faculty Compensation & Benefit Advisory Committee, 2019 - 2021
Member, Medication Diversion Prevention Committee, 2018 - 2022
Member, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, 2018 - 2022
Chair, Clinical Faculty Review Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2018 - 2023
Member, Accountability Committee, 2018 - 2019
Member, Finance Committee of the Department Chairs, 2017 - 2021
Chair, Marc Rozner Award Committee, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, 2017 - 2023
Member, Shared Governance Committee, 2015 - 2016
Member, Executive Clinical Operations Team, 2015 - 2016
Member, Making Cancer History Patient Care Award Nomination Committee, 2015 - 2016
Member, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff, 2015 - 2016
Member, Institutional Research Executive Committee, 2015 - 2016
Member, Physicians Referral Service Executive Council, 2015 - 2016
Chair, Division of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Executive Committee, 2015 - 2016
Member, Physicians Referral Service Budget & Finance Committee, 2015 - 2016
Chair, Clinical Faculty Review Committee, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Med, 2014 - 2018
Co-Chair, Operating Room Committee, 2014 - 2020
Chair, Search Committee: Chair, Department of Thoracic Surgery, 2014 - 2014
Member, Search Committee: Medical Director of Perioperative Services, 2014 - 2014
Alternate member, Medical Practice Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2020
Member, Council of Committee Chairs, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2020
Member, Research Charges for Innovative New Trials (ReCINT) Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2014
Member, Medical Quality Planning Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2019
Member, Ad-hoc Cancelled Cases Committee of SSAC, 2013 - 2014
Co-Chair, Ad-hoc On Time First Start Committee of OR Committee, 2012 - 2017
Member, Operating Room Executive Committee: OR Functions Group, 2012 - 2021
Member, Clinical Faculty Review Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - 2015
Chair, Faculty Selection Committee, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, 2012 - 2021
Member, Surgery Safety Committee, Division of Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2014
Member, Clinical Research Advisory Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2014
Member, Faculty Incentive Program Subcommittee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011 - 2014
Member, Community of Chairs Committee, 2010 - 2021
Member, Executive Committee, Division of Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2010 - 2021
Member, Executive Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2010 - 2022
Member, Surgical Services Advisory Committee, Division of Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2014
Member, Operating Room Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2014
Representative, Faculty Senate, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2008 - 2010
alternate, Credentialing Committee of the Medical Staff, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2003 - 2005
Chair, Capital Equipment Committee, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 2002 - 2010
Member, Device-Related Infection Ad-hoc Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2002 - 2007
Member, Infusion Technology Subcommittee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2002 - 2007
Chairman, Equipment and Technology Committee, Division of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2002 - 2010
Member, Operating Room Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1996 - 2000
Chair, Equipment and Technology Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, 1993 - 1996
Member, Equipment and Technology Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1993 - 2010
Chairman, Equipment and Technology Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1993 - 1996
Member, Operating Room Monitoring Guidelines Group, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1993 - 1994
Member, C.R.N.A. Evaluation Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1993 - 1996
Member, Resident Competence Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1993 - 1997
Member-at-large, Executive Faculty Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1989 - 1990
Member, Ad-hoc Committee for Blood Utilization, Ben Taub General Hospital, 1989 - 1992
Member, Transfusion Committee, Ben Taub General Hospital, 1988 - 1992
Member, Residency Selection Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1988 - 1992
Member, Computer Committee, Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1986 - 1988
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Distinguished Service Award, MD Anderson Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine |
| 2021 | Best Abstract Award, Arens Lectureship Annual Abstract Award |
| 2017 | Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists |
| 2015 | Celebrating Improvement Award, Office of Performance Improvement, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2014 | Best Abstract Award, third place, 2014 ASA Practice Management Conference, Dallas, TX |
| 2012 | ASATT Region V Education Award, American Society of Anesthesia Technologists/Technicians |
| 2005 | Listed in 'America's Best Doctors' |
| 2003 | Listed 'Best Doctors in America', Best Doctors, Inc |
| 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 |
| 1977 | Graduated magna cum laude, Duke University |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Truong AT, Truong DT, Rahlfs TF. TRS score: Proposed mnemonic for airway assessment and management in patients with head and neck cancers. Head Neck 40(12):2757-2758, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30390356.
- Cata, J, Bhavsar S, Hagan KB, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Popat K, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Raty S, Nguyen AT, McHugh T, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. Scalp Blocks for Brain Tumor Craniotomies: Survival Analysis of a Propensity Match Cohort of Patients. Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29514747.
- Tan J, Lim JW, Rahlfs TF, Ruiz JR. OPPE Metrics Improve Compliance to Intraoperative Handoff Procedures. Anesthesia and Medical Practice Journal AMPJ-113, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Cata JP, Bhavsar S, Hagan KB, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Popat K, Rao G, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Ratty S, Nguyen AT, McHugh T, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. Intraoperative serum lactate is not a predictor of survival after glioblastoma surgery. J Clin Neurosci 43:224-228, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28601568.
- Aloia TA, Kim BJ, Segraves-Chun YS, Cata JP, Truty MJ, Shi Q, Holmes A, Soliz JM, Popat KU, Rahlfs TF, Lee JE, Wang XS, Morris JS, Gottumukkala VNR, Vauthey JN. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Postoperative Thoracic Epidural Analgesia Versus Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia After Major Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery. Ann Surg 266(3):545-554, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28746153.
- Soliz J, Ifeanyi I, Katz M, Wilks J, Cata J, McHugh T, Fleming J, Feng L, Rahlfs T, Bruno M, Gottumukkala V. Comparing Postoperative Complications and Inflammatory Markers Using Total Intravenous Anesthesia Versus Volatile Gas Anesthesia for Pancreatic Cancer Surgery. Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine 7((4)), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Cata JP, Bhavsar S, Hagan K, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, Raty S, Nguyen AT, McHugh T, Feng L, Rahlfs TF, Rao G. Serum lactate is not a predictor of survival after glioblastoma surgery. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience S0967-5868(16):31131-6, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Bhavsar S, Hagan K, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Cowles C, Arnold B, Rahlfs T, Lipski I, Walsh C, Nguyen A, Feng L, Cata J. Preoperative Statin Use Is Not Associated with Improvement in Survival after Glioblastoma Surgery. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27396375.
- Cata JP, Hagan KB, Bhavsar S, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Arnold B, Potylchansky Y, Lipski I, McHugh T, Jiminez F, Nguyen AT, Feng L, Rahlfs TF. The Use of Isoflurane and Desflurane as Inhalational Agents for Glioblastoma Surgery. A Survival Analysis. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27765559.
- Hagan K, Bhavsar S, Arunkumar R, Grasu R, Dang A, Carlson R, Cowles C, Arnold B, Potylchansky Y, Rahlfs T, Lipski I, Walsh C, Jiminez F, Nguyen A, Feng L, Cata J. Association Between Perioperative Hyperglycemia and Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma. Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27438798.
- Chen J, Gottumukkala R, Menon V, Majumdar A, Kundra S, Chen J, Gi YJ, Mistry NA, Zhang J, Su X, Li S, Lin S, Javle M, Mishra B, White J, Rashid A, Beauchemin N, Weston BR, Shafi MA, Stroehlein J, Davila M, Wu X, Rahlfs TF, Mishra L. Mutational profiles reveal an aberrant TGFbeta-CEA regulated pathway in adenomas. PloS One 11(4), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Gottumukkala V, Arunkumar R, Bhavsar S, Dang AQ, Popat KU, Arnold BA, Rahlfs TF, Raza SM. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Oncological Craniotomies. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. e-Pub 2015.
- Truong AT, Ahmad B, Cata JP, Martin JW, Truong DT, Rahlfs TF. Measurement of retromolar space dimensions using dental pantomograms for intubation feasibility. Head Neck. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25832439.
- Ruiz JR, Ensor JE, Lim JW, Van Meter A, Rahlfs TF. Phenothiazine vs 5HT3 Antagonist Prophylactic Regimens to Prevent Post-Anesthetic Care Unit Rescue Antiemetic: An Observational Study. Open Journal of Anesthesiology 5(2):27-32, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Truong AT, Truong DT, Jackson TA, Purugganan RV, Rahlfs TF. Retromolar Placement of a Double-Lumen Tube: Novel Approach for a Difficult Airway. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 26(4):e44-6, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Garcia MK, Chiang JS, Cohen L, Liu M, Palmer JL, Rosenthal DI, Rahlfs TF, Chambers M. Acupuncture for Radiation-induced Xerostomia in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study. Head and Neck, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Rahlfs T, Purugganan R, McMillian L. The Role of the Anesthesiologists in Resource Management. Advances in Anesthesia 25, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- 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, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11720678.
- Rahlfs TF, Jones RL. Risks and outcomes in oncology patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Int Anesthesiol Clin 36(3):141-9, 1998. e-Pub 1998. PMID: 10812422.
- Rahlfs TF, Jones RL. Risks and Outcomes in Oncology Patients Undergoing Anesthesia and Surgery. The Cancer Bulletin 47(1):78-82, 1995. e-Pub 1995.
- Mena GE, Zorrilla A, Ensor J, Kwater P, Mirza K, Moon-Calderon T, Ruiz JR, Lim J, Tsai J, Vachhani S, Brown JK, Rahlfs T. Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy Impact on Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume Variation in Oncologic Thoracic Surgery Requiring One-Lung Ventilation: A Prospective Study. British Journal of Anaesthesia.
- Cata JP, Wang H, Keerty V, Potylchansky Y, Nguyen AT, Rahlfs TF, Prabhu SS. Perioperative Factors Associated with Progression-Free and Overall Survival after Brain Cancer Surgery. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia.
Invited Articles
- Dangler L, Rahlfs T. Instilling Professional Values into the Hiring Process: One Institution's Best Practice for Faculty Anesthesiologist Recruitment. ASA Monitor, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- Una Srejic MD, Radha Arunkumar MD, Ian Lipski MD, Roxana Grasu MD, Kenneth Sapire MD, A Sukumaran MD, Anh-Thuy Nguyen MD, Linh Nguyen MD, Steve Wang MD, Thomas Rahlfs MD, Ian McCutcheon MD, Sudhakur Tummala MD. NeuRecipes: The MD Anderson Cancer Center Guide to Anesthesia for Neurosurgical Cases, 2008.
Other Articles
- Truong A, Truong DT, Gillenwater A, Soliz J, Rahlfs T Securing the Airway in Pretracheal Dermal Metastases from Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report. A & A Practice. PMID: 29688927.
Abstracts
- Ferson D, Hagan K, Miller E, Carlson R, Zavala AM, Winter E, Rahlfs T. Emergency Airway Management with the LMA During Endoscopy in a Patient with Difficult-to-manage Airway. Present at the World Airway Management Meeting, Amsterdam, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Soliz J, Owusu-Agyemang P, Cata J, Fournier K, Zavala A, Hernandez M, Rahlfs T, Gottumukkala V. Evaluating the Effects of TIVA on Postoperative Pain After Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Anesthesia and Analgesia 123:370-371, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Soliz J, Ifeanyi I, Cata J, Katz M, Fleming J, Feng L, McHugh T, Nava A, Rahlfs T, Gottumukkala V. Evaluating the Effects of TIVA on Postoperative Pain After Pancreatic Surgery. Anesthesia and Analgesia 123:372-373, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Rebello E, Kowalski A, Kee S, Goravanchi F, Norman P, Ruiz J, Hernandez M, Rahlfs T. Implementing a Mentoring Program and Faculty Academic Productivity at the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Annual Meeting: An 11 Year Assessment. Anesthesia and Analgesia 123:97-98, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Levenback C, Aloia T, Cowles C, Foster J, Konstanzer R, Lai S, McCutcheon I, Mehran R, Modaro C, Moon B, Rahlfs T, Reece G, Skibber J, Walsh G, Ward J. Implementing a Surgical Safety Checklist. MD Anderson Celebrating Improvement, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- 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. e-Pub 2002.
- Rahlfs TF. A Relative Value Guide for Evaluating Anesthesia Faculty. J Clin Anesth, 1999. e-Pub 1999.
- 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. e-Pub 1997.
- Rahlfs TF, Heckendorn D, Smith CA, Jones RL. Materials Usage Coefficients: A Method for Defining and Monitoring the Efficiency of Materials Utilization. Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors, 1995. e-Pub 1995.
- 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. e-Pub 1995.
Book Chapters
- Ferson DZ, Rahlfs TF. Laryngeal Mask Airway: Its Impact on Airway Management. In: Problems in Anesthesia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 23-29, 2001.
- 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.
Letters to the Editor
- Truong A, Truong DT, Rahlfs T. TRS Score: A Proposed Mnemonic for Airway Assessment and Management in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers. Head and Neck: 1-2.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2017. When Cancer Hits Home - Lessons Learned Survivorship and the New Normal. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 1994. Anesthesia and Management of the Difficult Airway. Conference. St. Luke's Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1993. Management of the Difficult Airway. Conference. Spring Branch Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1993. Airway Management and Fiberoptic Intubation. Conference. St. Joseph Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1993. Intravenous Anesthesia. Conference. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 1990. Balanced Anesthesia. Conference. UT Dental Branch. Houston, TX, US.
- 1990. Clinical Use of Colloids. Conference. Dupont Pharmaceuticals. Houston, TX, US.
- 1990. Clinical Use of Midazolam. Conference. Dupont Pharmaceuticals. Houston, TX, US.
- 1989. Esmolol and Anesthesia. Conference. West Houston Medical Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 1989. The Use of Midazolam in Anesthesia. Conference. Roche Laboratories. Houston, TX, US.
- 1989. The Clinical Pharmacology of Midazolam. Conference. Southwest Houston Anesthesiology. Houston, TX, US.
- 1989. The Pharmacology of the Fentanyl Analogues. Conference. UT Dental Branch. Houston, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Alfentanil. Conference. Northwest Medical Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil and Alfentanil. Conference. St. Luke's Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Alfentanil. Conference. St. Joseph Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1987. Intraoperative Alfentanil In-service. Conference. Spring Branch Memorial Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
- 1987. Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery. Conference. Sam Houston Memorial Hospital. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. I Remember When... Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, US.
- 1993. Management of the Difficult Airway. Conference. Beaumont Anesthesia Group. Beaumont, TX, US.
- 1990. Anesthesia and the Geriatric Patient. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Austin, TX, US.
- 1990. Balanced Anesthesia in Ambulatory Surgery. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Austin, TX, US.
- 1990. Hypovolemic Shock. Conference. Medical University of South Carolina. Charleston, SC, US.
- 1989. Balanced Anesthesia and Outpatient Surgery. Conference. Capitol Anesthesia Group. Austin, TX, US.
- 1989. Anesthesia and the Geriatric Patient. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Corpus Christi, TX, US.
- 1989. Balanced Anesthesia in Ambulatory Surgery. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Corpus Christi, TX, US.
- 1989. Induction of the Pediatric Outpatient. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Corpus Christi, TX, US.
- 1989. Narcotics in Outpatient Anesthesia. Conference. Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists. Oklahoma City, OK, US.
- 1989. Induction of the Pediatric Outpatient. Conference. Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists. Oklahoma City, OK, US.
- 1989. How to Infuse Alfentanil. Conference. Brooks Army Medical Center. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 1988. Intraoperative Alfentanil In-service. Conference. Memorial Medical Center. Corpus Christi,, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil. Conference. McAllen Anesthesiologist Group. McAllen, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil. Conference. Peoria Anesthesiologists. Peoria, IL, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil. Conference. Texas Tech University. Lubbock, TX, US.
- 1988. Narcotics in Outpatient Surgery. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1988. Pharmacologic Management of the Airway. Conference. Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1988. The Pharmacology of Alfentanil. Conference. St. Joseph Hospital. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1988. Intraoperative Alfentanil In-service. Conference. North Hills Medical Center. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1988. Intraoperative Alfentanil Inservice. Conference. D/FW Medical Center. Dallas, TX, US.
- 1988. Intraoperative Alfentanil Inservice. Conference. Garland Memorial Hospital. Garland, TX, US.
- 1988. Sufentanil Infusion in Balanced Anesthesia for General Surgery. Conference. Tarrant County Anesthesia Society. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1987. Intraoperative Alfentanil In-service. Conference. St. Paul Hospital. Dallas, TX, US.
- 1987. Inservice on the Bard Harvard Mini-Infuser System, Model 900. Conference. Parkland Hospital. Dallas, TX, US.
- 1986. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil and Alfentanil. Conference. Gulf Coast Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Galveston, TX, US.
- 1985. The Pharmacology of Sufentanil. Conference. John Peter Smith Hospital. Ft. Worth, TX, US.
- 1983. Bedside Evaluation of the Morbidly Obese Patient for Cesarean Section. Conference. Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. I Remember When... Invited. Annual Anesthesia Technology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. COI in Clinical Practice. Conference. AAMC Forum on Conflict of Interest in Academe Professional Development Meeting. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2022. COI in Clinical Practice. Invited. AAMC Forum on Conflict of Interest in Academe Professional Development Meeting. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2020. CMS: It's Not Just Another Joint Commission Visit. From Academic, County and Private Practice. Invited. American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting. Virtual, US.
- 2020. A Novel Marketing Strategy of Hemodynamic Monitoring: Enhancing Both Components of the Value Equation. Conference. ASA Practice Management Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2020. Panel Discussion: Addressing Gender Equity and Enhancing Cultural Competency: Effective Strategies to Increase Organizational Value. Invited. ASA Practice Management Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2020. Cost per Minute of Provided Anesthesia: A New Metric to Measure the Actual Cost of Anesthesia Delivery Applied to Anesthesia in a GI Endoscopy Suite. Conference. ASA Practice Management Conference. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2018. Difficult Airway Management. Invited. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Managing Delays of First Cases in the Operating Room. Invited. Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors Annual Perioperative Leadership Summit. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2014. Using OPPE Metrics to Demonstrate Changes in a Group's Performance, a Five Year Review. Conference. ASA Practice Management Conference. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2013. Physics of Waveforms. Invited. 2nd Annual Anesthesia Technology Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. Neuroanesthesia. Invited. American Society of Anesthesia Technologists/Technicians Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2011. Management of Challenging Airway Cases at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Invited. American Society of Anesthesia Technologists/Technicians Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2010. Anesthesia and the Brainsuite. Invited. American Society of Anesthesiology Technologists and Technicians Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2010. Anesthesia and the Brainsuite. Invited. ASATT Region V Educational Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2002. Pulse Oximeter Malfunction by the Use of the StealthStation During Neurosurgery. Conference. ASA Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 1997. Inventory Control and Loss Reduction. Conference. Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors 4th Annual Workshop on Operating Room Management. San Diego, CA, US.
- 1995. Rapid Autotransfusion in the Trauma Surgery Environment. Conference. Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Houston, TX, US.
- 1995. Materials Usage Coefficients: A Method for Defining and Monitoring the Efficiency of Materials Utilization. Conference. Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 1984. Bedside Evaluation of the Morbidly Obese Patient for Cesarean Section. Conference. Ninth Annual Gulf/Atlantic Coast Residents' Conference. Gainesville, FL, US.
International Presentations
- 2019. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery The MD Anderson Experience. Invited. Hunan Cancer Hospital. Changsha, CN.
- 2019. Newer Cancer Therapies and the New Normal for Patients. Invited. 7th Global Conference on Perioperative Care of the Cancer Patient. Shanghai, CN.
- 2018. The Use of Superselective Scalp Blocks in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Tumor Resection is Associated with Significantly Lower Pain Scores Postoperatively. Conference. Japan Society of Anesthesiologists 65th Annual Meeting. Yokohama, JP.
- 2018. TRS Score: A Mnemonic for Assessment and Management of the Airway Invaded by Head and Neck Cancers. Conference. Japan Society of Anesthesiologists 65th Annual Meeting. Yokohama, JP.
- 2017. Pitfalls Concerning Anesthesia in Oncology Patients. Invited. 37th Myron B. Laver International Postgraduate Course. Basel, CH.
- 2016. When Cancer Hits Home - Lessons Learned. Invited. 16th World Congress of Anesthesiologists. Hong Kong, CN.
- 2015. MD Anderson Cancer Center Moon Shot Programs. Invited. 3rd Global Conference on Perioperative Medicine Care of the Cancer Patient. Amsterdam, NL.
- 2014. A decade after "To Err is Human": Where do we stand?. Invited. 2nd Annual Global Conference on Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Medicine in the Cancer Patient. Melbourne, AU.
- 2009. Airway Management Challenges at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Invited. Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists 56th Annual Meeting. Kobe, JP.
Formal Peers
- 2019. ERAS and The MD Anderson Experience. Visiting. King Hussein Cancer Center. Amman, JO.
- 2019. Newer Cancer Therapies and the New Normal for Patients. Visiting. Hunan Cancer Hospital. Changsha, CN.
- 2017. Safety in the Operating Room. Visiting. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN). Lima, PE.
- 2017. Providing Safe Anesthesia Care in the MRI Environment. Visiting. Showa University School of Medicine. Tokyo, JP.
- 2017. Providing Safe Anesthesia Care in the MRI Environment. Visiting. Saitama Children's Medical Center. Saitama, JP.
- 2016. Patient Safety and Quality Control. Visiting. School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University. Xi'an, CN.
- 2016. Patient Safety and Quality Control. Visiting. Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University. Yantai, CN.
- 2012. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Visiting. Showa University School of Medicine. Tokyo, JP.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2003 - 2005 |
| Title: | Acupuncture to Prevent Postoperative Paralytic ileus |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCCAM |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | R21-AT001065-01-A2 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 03, 2025