Honoring Native American Heritage Month
November marks National Native American Heritage Month! We are spotlighting exceptional board-certified anesthesiologists who identify as Native American throughout the month. If you or someone you know has made significant contributions to the field of anesthesiology, we want to hear your story.
Learn more about our featured board-certified anesthesiologist below.
Interested in sharing your story on our website and social media? Contact us at coms@theaba.org.
Lauren Victoria Thornton, M.D.
“Seeing physicians who looked like me, were empathetic to the concerns of their people, and made a difference in representation in their fields of medicine impacted me. Now, full circle, I strive to be that great representation for my people.”
I currently work as Assistant Professor at St. Louis University’s Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, with my subspecialties including general pediatric anesthesiology, pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, pediatric regional and acute pain management. I’ve been board certified in anesthesiology and pediatric anesthesiology three years.
What would you like to share with us about your personal journey and experience?
My mother’s and father’s tribal affiliations are the Wampanoag and Creek nations, respectively. Born and raised in Florida, I had quite the exposure to different cultures, but I always valued my identity and showed immense Native pride everywhere I landed. From Florida to Massachusetts to DC to California to NYC and now Saint Louis, I’ve had some of the best experiences while training to become a physician and anesthesiologist. Graduating from the University of Florida and then conducting basic research at the National Institute of Health, I needed something to help catapult me into medicine. During this critical, impressionable time, I began volunteering and shadowing Native physicians who were caring for natives in Indian Health Services and reservations. Seeing physicians who looked like me, were empathetic to the concerns of their people, and made a difference in representation in their fields of medicine impacted me. Now, full circle, I strive to be that great representation for my people.
Why do you value board certification?
The American Board of Anesthesiology has a tenuous, comprehensive board certification process, unlike any other specialty. I value my board certification and the MOCA process because it reflects that I’ve met the ABA standards of being a competent clinician, physician and anesthesiologist.
Why did you choose to pursue anesthesiology?
Anesthesiology was an attractive specialty because it has the convergence of pharmacology with the science of the human body, allows the practitioner to have autonomy in delivering anesthesia, requires adaptability in various scenarios and provides immediate gratification with procedures and cases. Essentially, the sky is the limit for how and what an individual practices in this field.