Dr. Michael Avidan Celebrated With the Foundation's 2025 President’s Achievement Award

Some people simply make work more pleasant, more successful, and more inspiring. They embody professional joy.

Based on what his colleagues say, Michael Avidan, MBBCh, the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and chair of the WashU Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and anesthesiologist-in-chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, is all that and more. That’s why he was chosen to receive the 2025 President’s Achievement Award from The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

As a testament to his character, friendships, and professional impact, 300-plus guests gathered at Energizer Park on an icy Dec. 2 evening to honor Dr. Avidan.

John Lynch, MD, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and group president of BJC HealthCare East Region, has worked with Dr. Avidan for 25 years.

“Dr. Avidan has poured buckets of professional joy in my life, whether caring for complex patients in the middle of the night together, or solving research problems, or collaborating on things related to intensive care,” he says.

Each year, the Foundation presents the President's Achievement Award to an accomplished physician, researcher, or faculty partner who upholds the Barnes-Jewish Hospital mission, advances medical knowledge, continuously improves the delivery of world-class patient care, and educates the next generation of clinicians.

The award presentation was part of the Foundation’s annual event that recognizes the Foundation’s enduring partnerships with donors, physicians, and other team members across BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine.

A Sculptor of Culture

WashU Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology is a world leader in anesthesiology research, education, and patient care. Dr. Avidan has played a significant role in maintaining that status.

Alex Evers, MD, preceded Dr. Avidan as department chair. The two continue to work closely together.

“Dr. Avidan rewards me by fulfilling every mentor’s dreams: that their protégé’s accomplishments will build on and surpass those of the mentor,” Dr. Evers says. “I thought I left a strong department when I stepped down as chair, but he has clearly made it so much better. He has been an inspirational leader and a sculptor of culture.”

A Leader of Leaders

David Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of WashU Medicine, agrees.

“Dr. Avidan is a leader among leaders. He is forthright, steady, calm, positive, gentle, creative, imaginative, and a friend to all of us. For me, it is such an honor to watch his accomplishments and to know all I had to do was encourage him to follow his own instincts. It’s deeply meaningful to recognize Dr. Avidan. He has had an impact on countless lives.”

Improving Patient Care Across the World

Dr. Avidan was born in South Africa, where he completed his residency in anesthesiology and intensive care and received his fellowship certifications. He practiced at King’s College Hospital in London before joining the WashU Medicine faculty in 2001.

Prior to becoming chair of the anesthesiology department in 2019, Dr. Avidan held several leadership positions including director of the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Program and director of the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology.

He was the founding director of the Center for INformatics, QUality Improvement, REsearch & Safety (INQUIRES). He also has served on several prestigious boards and professional organizations.

Dr. Avidan has won numerous awards for his educational efforts with medical students, residents, and fellows and is co-director of the Anesthesiology Postdoctoral Research Training Program. 

An accomplished investigator, Dr. Avidan’s perioperative outcomes research has contributed significantly to the department’s international reputation. Over the course of his successful career, Dr. Avidan has led multiple clinical trials in anesthesiology and intensive care practices that have improved patient care across the world.

In 2023, Dr. Avidan was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine in honor of his prolific impact on the field. This membership is one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine in the United States.

Living With Purpose

Dr. Avidan accepted the President’s Achievement Award surrounded by his wife and two young children. His cousin even flew to St. Louis from the U.K. to honor the man he always looked up to, recognizing him for elevating others around him.

“Being recognized is deeply meaningful and profoundly humbling,” Dr. Avidan says. “I’m especially privileged because this award comes from the institution led by my long-time friend and colleague, Dr. John Lynch.”

Dr. Avidan is directing the grant he received from the Foundation’s President’s Achievement Award to support the Anesthesiology Summer Research (ASSURE) Fellowship program at WashU Medicine. The 10-week program is an intensive research and mentorship opportunity for St. Louis area college students to work in a WashU Medicine lab. The experience can be a stepping stone into medical school, nursing, research, or other health care-related fields. The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital has previously supported the program.

“It has been an immense privilege to contribute to others,” Dr. Avidan says. “Through my work at WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, I’ve sought to make a meaningful impact on the community, giving my life great purpose.”

Inspiring Others as a “Winner of the Games”

During his remarks, Dr. Avidan acknowledged that he has Stage 4 cancer. “The diagnosis hit me like a train, shattering my dreams and derailing my imagined future.”

He credits Brian Van Tine, MD, PhD, a WashU Medicine medical oncologist who recently passed, with challenging his despair. Dr. Van Tine was a nationally recognized leader in sarcoma research.

“Dr. Van Tine represented the best of WashU and BJC,” Dr. Avidan says. “When my situation was dire, he and his incredible colleagues gifted me precious additional time with all those I love. With unbridled optimism, Dr. Van Tine would tell me, ‘We are winning the chess game.’”

Dr. Avidan’s three-year journey with a terminal illness hasn’t dampened his trademark “joie de vivre,” even as it’s grounded in reality. He approaches his life personally and professionally the same way.

“Winning in life must be about loving, contributing to others, growing, and having many rich experiences,” he says. “By these metrics, I am undoubtedly the winner of the games. I’m a winner because I’ve loved deeply and I’m loved. Let’s all be victorious in our chess games, not by checkmating our adversaries, but by savoring life’s many wonders and enriching the lives of those around us.”

He chose his closing remarks from activist and statesman Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Dineo Khabele, MD, chair of the WashU Medicine department of Ob/Gyn, shares Dr. Avidan’s South African roots and admiration for Mandela. Her toast to her friend and colleague summed up the sentiments of the evening: “To Michael, you inspire us to do better and be better human beings.”

Written by Joyce Romine
Photography by Pete Newcomb and Gara Lacy