Dr. Galvagno is a practicing anesthesiologist who also specializes in critical care medicine.
Dr. Galvagno is a practicing anesthesiologist who also specializes in critical care medicine.

Dr. Samuel Galvagno Joins the College as Chair and Tenured Professor of Anesthesiology

Dr. Galvagno is a practicing anesthesiologist who also specializes in critical care medicine.
Dr. Galvagno is a practicing anesthesiologist who also specializes in critical care medicine.
An accomplished scientist, physician and leader, he will help build the academic Anesthesia department

Samuel M. Galvagno, DO, PhD, MS, MBA, FCCM, has officially assumed his roles as chair of and tenured professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

An accomplished physician scientist and clinical academician, Dr. Galvagno is a practicing anesthesiologist who also specializes in critical care medicine. As a recognized expert in aeromedical critical care and patient safety, he has authored over 200 publications in the field. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

"In addition to being a leader in his field, Dr. Galvagno is a dynamic and engaging individual who is perfectly suited to build our academic Anesthesia department at the college and Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix," said Dean Fred Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA.

Dr. Galvagno formerly served as a tenured professor and the interim chair for the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. A Colonel in the United States Air Force — serving as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander for the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH — Dr. Galvagno was commissioned through the Health Professions Scholarship Program while attending the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. After an internship at St. Clare’s/St. Vincent’s Midtown Hospital in New York, New York, Dr. Galvagno entered active duty as a general medical officer and emergency physician.

Following his active duty tour, he received residency training at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, where he was elected chief resident during his final residency year. This was followed by fellowships in critical care medicine and research at the Johns Hopkins University, where he also earned his PhD in 2012.

Nationally, Dr. Galvagno is chair elect of the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Anesthesiology Section; serves as chair of the American Board of Anesthesiology Critical Care Exam Committee, and the ABPN Neurocritical Care Exam Committee; he was elected as a fellow to the Academy of Critical Care Medicine in 2016; and he is board-certified in anesthesiology (ABA), critical care medicine (ABA), neurocritical care (ABA/ABPN), emergency medical services (ABEM) and public health (NBPHE).

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Galvagno to Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. His leadership and experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our destination clinical programs, launch our Anesthesia residency to train the next generation and conduct clinical research to advance the practice of medicine,” said Daniel J. Post, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix.

About the College

Founded in 2007, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix inspires and trains exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders to advance its core missions in education, research, clinical care and service to communities across Arizona. The college’s strength lies in our collaborations and partnerships with clinical affiliates, community organizations and industry sponsors. With our primary affiliate, Banner Health, we are recognized as the premier academic medical center in Phoenix. As an anchor institution of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the college is home to signature research programs in neurosciences, cardiopulmonary diseases, immunology, informatics and metabolism. These focus areas uniquely position us to drive biomedical research and bolster economic development in the region.

As an urban institution with strong roots in rural and tribal health, the college has graduated more than 1,000 physicians and matriculates 130 students each year. Greater than 60% of matriculating students are from Arizona and many continue training at our GME sponsored residency programs, ultimately pursuing local academic and community-based opportunities. While our traditional four-year program continues to thrive, we will launch our recently approved accelerated three-year medical student curriculum with exclusive focus on primary care. This program is designed to further enhance workforce retention needs across Arizona.

The college has embarked on our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030. Learn more.