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Patrick Emelife, M.D.

Assistant Professor

School
Medical School
Department
Anesthesiology & Pain Management

You have reached the Academic Profile.

For more information on the doctor and patient care, please visit the clinical profile.

  • Biography

    Patrick I. Emelife, M.D., D.ABA began his undergraduate studies at City College of San Francisco, where he earned an A.S. degree with Highest Honors and took the MCAT before transferring to Stanford University. His time at Stanford was transformative both academically and personally, as it was also where he met his future wife.

     

    After graduating, Dr. Emelife attended medical school at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was awarded the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Medical Research Fellowship. During his fellowship, he investigated the influence of adipose-derived stem cells on wound healing. He was also awarded the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, which enabled him to mentor youth at Pittsburgh’s Juvenile Detention Center. In recognition of his clinical and interpersonal skills, Dr. Emelife was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), which honors medical students, residents, and faculty who are exemplars of compassionate patient care and who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine.

     

    After graduating from medical school, Dr. Emelife completed nearly three years of Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans before an epiphany led him to pivot from Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to Anesthesiology—where he found professional fulfillment. Driven by a passion for innovation and the appeal of the San Francisco Bay Area climate, he returned to Stanford to complete a fellowship in Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine. After gaining valuable experience practicing the full breath of anesthesiologyincluding cardiac, obstetric, and regional anesthesia—Dr. Emelife joined the faculty at UT Southwestern. He primarily commits his time to Parkland Memorial Hospital in the Divisions of Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Medicine and Obstetric Anesthesiology.

     

    In addition to teaching resident physicians Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, Dr. Emelife also enjoys teaching about wellness, “the real world of anesthesia,” and the business aspects of anesthesiology. Together with his wife, a breast radiologist, he co-founded a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting individuals struggling with their journey through medicine. Dr. Emelife is currently enrolled in Kellogg’s Executive MBA program, where he enjoys networking with highly motivated, intellectually curious individuals while acquiring the tools to help drive systemic healthcare reform, addressing the complex influences of politics and corporate interests.

     

    Dr. Emelife is also highly active in local and national anesthesiology societies, serving on multiple committees. He encourages his colleagues and resident physicians to engage in policy reform efforts to help shape the future of healthcare. 

     

  • Education
    Medical School
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2014)
    Residency
    Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (2017), Integrated Plastic Surgery
    Residency
    Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans (2020), Anesthesiology
    Fellowship
    Stanford Health Care / Stanford School of Medicine (2021), Regional Anesthesiology & Acute Pain Management
  • Research Interest
    • Acute Pain Medicine
    • Disparities and Justice in Health Care
    • Focused Cardiac Ultrasonography (FoCUS)
    • Navigating the Practice of Anesthesiology after Residency
    • Patient Safety and Advocacy
    • Physician Advocacy
    • Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (PoCUS)
    • Regional Anesthesia
    • Teamwork, Professionalism, and Effective Communication
  • Publications

    Star Featured Publications

    Featured Featured Featured
    Regional Nerve Blocks-Best Practice Strategies for Reduction in Complications and Comprehensive Review.
    Helander EM, Kaye AJ, Eng MR, Emelife PI, Motejunas MW, Bonneval LA, Terracciano JA, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Curr Pain Headache Rep 2019 May 23 6 43
    Multimodal Approaches to Analgesia in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathways.
    Helander EM, Billeaud CB, Kline RJ, Emelife PI, Harmon CM, Prabhakar A, Urman RD, Kaye AD, Int Anesthesiol Clin 2017 55 4 51-69
    Postoperative management of Dupuytren's disease with topical nitroglycerin.
    Emelife PI, Kling RE, Wollstein R, Can J Plast Surg 2012 20 4 249-50
  • Honors & Awards
    • Outstanding Contributions to the LSU Residency
      LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Department of Anesthesiology (2018)
    • Academic Achievement Award for Academic Merit and Community Service
      Gateway Medical Society, Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Medical Association (2014)
    • Medical Alumni Association Scholarship
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2014)
    • Gold Humanism Honor Society
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2013)
    • HHMI Medical Research Fellows Program
      Howard Hughes Medial Institute (2011-2012)
    • The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
      Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program (2011-2012)
    • Dean's Merit Scholarship
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2009-2014)
    • Education and Youth Development Summer Fellowship
      Stanford University (2008)
    • Unite for Sight Fundraiser of the Year Award
      Unite for Sight (2008)
    • Dean's Award for Academic Excellence
      Stanford University (2007-2008)
    • Highest Honors
      City College of San Francisco (2006)