Madison Anesthesiology Consultants : News & Events

Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP (MAC) is pleased to announce the election of Peter Qualey, M.D., to the position of Medical Director. Dr. Qualey joins Dr. John Olson (Managing Partner) and Dr. Michael Zolinski (At-Large Member) on the Management Committee of MAC. Dr. Qualey has been a member of Meriter Medical Staff for over fifteen years and was a founding partner of MAC. He has served in various leadership roles within MAC over the years, including the At-Large Management Committee Member. Dr. Qualey follows in the distinguished footsteps of prior medical directors Dr. Thomas Pellino and Dr. Steven Lagman, both of whom continue to serve as full-time anesthesiologists in MAC. The Partnership is pleased that Dr. Qualey has accepted the role of Medical Director and is confident that his immense talents will help MAC to maintain its role as a premier anesthesia provider.

MAC Welcomes New Physicians

Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP (MAC) has welcomed the addition of two new talented physicians within the past year. Christopher B. Mandel, M.D., joined the organization in August 2010. Dr. Mandel earned his undergraduate degree at University of California, Santa Cruz, and his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed both his residency in Anesthesiology and a fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management through the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Mandel has been instrumental in growing MAC's Acute Pain Service with advanced techniques in management of post-operative pain for patients undergoing surgery at Meriter Hospital. Dr. Mandel grew up in the Milwaukee area but now resides in Madison with his wife and three children.

Andrew A. Hollatz, M.D. joined MAC in August 2011. He previously earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Minnesota. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology through the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He is board eligible in the American Board of Anesthesiology. He is skilled in all forms of regional and general anesthesiology, and has special interests in vascular and thoracic anesthesiology, as well as peripheral nerve blockade and acute pain management. He is a native of Minnesota, but now resides in Madison with his wife, a critical care physician.

Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP is a group of 23 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.

MAC Medical Student Scholarship Awarded

The Madison Anesthesiology Consultants Award was established in 2010 to support graduating University of Wisconsin medical students pursuing a career in the field of anesthesiology. On May 12, 2010, the first annual Madison Anesthesiology Consultants Award was awarded to Camille Rice, MD, who was chosen by the UW Foundation to receive the award on behalf of MAC. Dr. Rice is currently in her first year of anesthesiology residency at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.

Top Docs in Madison

Among the Top Docs included in the 2010 Madison Magazine Top Docs Survey were our own anesthesiologists, Steven R. Lagman, M.D. and Thomas M. Pellino, M.D. This survey, done on a bi-annual basis, appears in the September 2010 edition. Drs. Lagman and Pellino are both repeat honorees!

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!