Madison Anesthesiology Consultants : News & Events

The Partnership of Madison Anesthesiology Consultants (MAC) is pleased to announce the election of Drs. John Olson, Thomas Pellino and Michael Zolinski to the Management Committee of MAC. The previous members of the Management Committee, Drs. Laurence Rothstein, Steven Lagman and Peter Qualey, have decided after serving MAC in leadership roles almost continuously since the group’s inception, that it was time to for other partners to fill these important roles. This will also allow Drs. Rothstein, Lagman, and Qualey some much deserved additional personal time.

Dr. John Olson has been elected to the position of Managing Partner. John joined MAC in July 2005. Prior to completing his anesthesia residency in 2003, he had a ten year career as a structural engineer. Dr. Laurence Rothstein, who previously held this position, will continue to serve as a full-time MAC anesthesiologist and valuable resource to the new leadership. In addition, Dr. Rothstein recently has been selected as Meriter Hospital’s Perioperative Medical Director. He will also continue in other important leadership roles including as a member of the Hospital’s Board of Directors. The Partnership wishes to express its deep gratitude for the generosity of time and effort offered by Dr. Rothstein and acknowledgment of the indispensable role he has played in making MAC successful during his tenure as leader. The Partnership wishes Dr. Olson success as he assumes the responsibilities of Managing Partner and is confident MAC will continue its role as a premier anesthesia provider.

Dr. Thomas Pellino has been elected MAC’s new Medical Director. Tom joined the anesthesiology practice at Meriter Hospital in July 1986 and served the predecessor groups and MAC in multiple capacities to date, including as the founding MAC At-Large Management Committee Member. He will take over the reins from Dr. Steven Lagman, who has held this position for the past decade. Dr. Lagman will continue to serve in his clinical capacity as a full-time anesthesiologist in MAC. He will continue in MAC leadership roles as Billing Coordinator, Compliance Officer, Policies and Procedures Coordinator and to assist on Meriter’s Hand Hygiene Committee. Dr. Lagman looks forward to having extra time to prepare for the anesthesiology board recertification exam in August, and he is excited to have recently re-entered the basketball coaching arena. MAC shares its immeasurable appreciation for Dr. Lagman’s years of work and leadership as its founding Medical Director. The Partners are pleased that Dr. Pellino has accepted the role of Medical Director and looks forward to supporting him in his new leadership position.

The Partnership of MAC is also pleased to announce the election of Dr. Michael Zolinski as the At-Large Member of its Management Committee. This position was previously held by Dr. Peter Qualey who will continue in his role as a full-time MAC anesthesiologist. Dr. Qualey will also provide his support and expertise both in the clinical and business aspects of MAC. He will continue as our workforce schedule coordinator, as a member on MAC’s Finance Committee, and as a member of the Anesthesiology Practice Committee. The Partnership wishes to convey its gratitude for the hard work and diligence of Dr. Peter Qualey for his years of service in this position. MAC is confident that Dr. Zolinski will use his energies as a member of the Management Committee to maintain the ongoing success of MAC and will vigorously support him in his efforts.

As a growing physician group, MAC is entering its eighth year of independent practice and is excited about its business prospects in 2009 with this new Management Committee in place. If you need contact information or have any questions, please contact our office (608) 417-6676 or our Chief Administrative Officer, Susan Benjamin, at sbenjamin@macllp.com.

MAC Welcomes New Physician

Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP (MAC) announced that Thomas A. Drye, M.D., has joined the organization on August 6, 2008. Dr. Drye will provide Anesthesia Services to patients at Meriter Hospital.

“Dr. Drye is a welcome addition to Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP, and we are pleased to have him join our organization," said Laurence Rothstein, M.D., Managing Partner of Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP. "He has a great deal of experience in all forms of general and local anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, which will prove to be beneficial for our patients."

As a physician with Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP, Dr. Drye will provide perioperative care in the hospitals operating rooms and will also provide care to the obstetrical patients at Meriter.

Dr. Drye earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison and his medical degree from Mayo Medical School. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology through the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.

He is board eligible in the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Drye grew up in Monroe, and currently resides in Verona. During his time away from work, Dr. Drye enjoys spending time with his wife and young children.

Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP is a group of 21 physicians who practice anesthesiology at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. This group is the only Madison group that utilizes only physicians in its practice. At all times that patients are receiving anesthesia care at Meriter Hospital, that care is administered directly by a physician.

Share Your Story- Dr. Christine Biedermann

Below you will find a patient letter submitted through the "My Meriter Story" section of meriter.com. The letter highlights the work of Anesthesiology, the Birthing Center and the NICU.

This was my fifth baby and out of all of them this was by far the best experience I ever had. The Doctors were great - my OB was Aubry Smith and she made me as comfortable as possible and she told me what she wanted to do but in the end it was my decision on what happened and I appreciate that I felt like I was in control! The nurses were wonderful as well, but, the person I want to pay the highest compliment to is the doctor who did my epidural - she was awesome. With my previous children I also got epidurals but it always took like two hours for them to get it in my back (I guess I have a boney back or so they say!) and after all the horrible pain I went through when they were putting it in not one of them ever worked and also the doctors would always get frustrated with me. But this time, the doctor was patient, caring, comforting, reassuring, and most of all gentle.

It only took about 30 minutes and IT WORKED I was completely NUMB – YEAH!! When the doctor said I was 10 centimeters dilated my husband looked at me and said "Honey you are fully dilated and pushing yet you are smiling at me, that doctor is a genius!!" I don't remember her name but you know who you are and you will never know how truly it meant to me to finally, out of five labors, have one that I actually got to enjoy the birthing part instead of being so out of control with pain. I almost couldn't feel to push so thank you again from the bottom of my heart!!

They had to admit my daughter Mylee into the NICU here and I can't tell you enough how great it is. The nurses, doctors, the unit clerks, other parents/families and how beautiful it is up there. We have to be here for a couple of weeks and I can honestly say I wouldn't want to be any other hospital. This hospital truly cares for the patients, parents, and families and it shows in everything you do!!!!

Share Your Story - Dr. Peter Pryde

Below you will find a wonderful letter sent in by a patient through the “My Meriter Story” section of meriter.com. It highlights appreciation for Dr. Pryde, a Partner of Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP.

Six days after giving birth (at Meriter!) I began to bleed really bad. I arrived at the Meriter ER and was told I needed to have a D&C to remove some placenta still lodged in my uterus. I was really scared and nervous about leaving my baby without any breast milk for the time during surgery and post surgery as well.

My anesthesiologist was the most kind hearted, gentle Doctor I have ever had any contact with during my hospital stay. He allowed me to breastfeed my baby right outside the OR then said I would be fine to breastfeed directly following surgery as well. He stayed with me and took the time to answer all my questions and during this time, I found out he grew up in the same Northern Michigan town that I had as well! It brought such comfort knowing this connection to someone and knowing that he was taking the time to make me feel comfortable through this scary ordeal. My husband and I are very thankful for the kind bedside manner that was displayed through our scary situation. Thank you Meriter and most importantly, thank you Dr. Pryde for being such a great Anesthesiologist!

New Offices

To accommodate the planned 8 New Operating Rooms at Meriter Hospital, Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP moved their Administrative Offices from the 4th Floor of the Atrium to their new location on 3 Atrium.

The New Operating Rooms are anticipated to open in late June 2009. We appreciate the plans for the exciting New and State-of-the-Art Operating Rooms in the hospital.

Top Docs in Madison

Among the Top Docs included in the 2008 Madison Magazine Top Docs Survey was our own Anesthesiologist, Thomas M. Pellino, M.D. This survey, done on a bi-annual basis, appears in the September 2008 edition.