Dr. Padma Gulur, a prominent Indian American physician-scientist and authority on pain management, is set to lead the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis from Aug. 1. Gulur will also serve as the inaugural Alex S. Evers MD Distinguished Professor in Anesthesiology, according to a university release.
Gulur comes to WashU from Duke University, where she has served as the interim chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. Her career has been defined by a commitment to redefining how hospitals and communities approach pain, particularly in the wake of the national opioid crisis.
“Dr. Gulur has made transformative contributions to pain management,” said Dr. David H. Perlmutter, dean of WashU Medicine. He noted that her ability to change the trajectory of patient outcomes by providing high-quality care while reducing the risk of addiction makes her a vital addition to the university’s leadership.
Gulur is widely recognized for developing two care models now used across the country. One focuses on the critical window following surgery, ensuring patients receive effective relief without falling into the trap of long-term opioid use. The other is a community-based proactive approach, identifying individuals at risk for chronic pain before their conditions escalate.
Read: Indian American composer Keeril Makan named MIT vice provost for the arts
Beyond administrative leadership, Gulur is a pioneer in non-invasive medical technology. Her research has explored alternatives to traditional medication, including green light therapy. This is a treatment that uses specific light wavelengths to mitigate pain. Her work has even led to patented technologies designed to make opioid dispensing safer.
“I am honored to lead the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine,” Gulur said. She emphasized that the university’s culture of collaboration provides a unique environment to advance medical science and patient care.
Gulur’s professional journey includes significant tenures at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, Irvine. At every stop, she has championed multidisciplinary care, particularly for pediatric patients and those recovering from complex surgeries.
Read: Indian American Shiva Sai Ram Urella launches Yale’s Telugu program
As she prepares to take the helm in St. Louis, Gulur brings a wealth of national influence, including her role as chair of the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for WashU, blending clinical excellence with a compassionate, forward-thinking approach to one of medicine’s most challenging frontiers: the human experience of pain.